Brannon, L. (2005). Gender: Psychological perspectives. New York: Allyn and Bacon ISBN: 0-20540-457-X

Other handouts, readings, and webpages to be distributed in class or on the web.

Prerequisites: General Psychology 110. Experimental Psychology I & II are strongly recommended

Email: Email and frequent access to Blackboard are requirements for this course. You will need to check your email and Blackboard 24 hours prior to each class meeting time.  

Course Description

     This course surveys the major theories, principles, and methodologies used to understand how gender operates in our daily lives. We will examine: gender bias in research, the biology of gender differences,  how gender develops, stereotypes, emotions, relationships, sexuality, education, work, stress, and psychological disorders (to name a few). Classic readings are offered as supplements to the text.  The course will follow a lecture/discussion format. Classroom activities, films, and brief presentations may also be used. Questions are encouraged. As a courtesy to other students, please turn off cell phones during class.

Course Objectives

1. To scientifically investigate the concept of gender. We will critique and investigate the different levels of analysis (intrapersonal, interpersonal, and societal) that psychologists use to explain gender differences and similarities. These perspectives are not mutually exclusive and we will make connections between these explanations.

2. To clarify the difference between sex (as a biological given) and gender (as a societal construct) and to show how men’s and women’s different behaviors are not solely the result of genetic imprinting and hormones but the result of cultural, social, and economic factors as well. In this differentiation we will examine the nature (e.g., biology and genetic) and nurture (e.g., experience and learning) explanations for the differences between men and women and investigate the hyphen (nature-nurture) rather than the opposition (nature or nurture) dichotomy that has historically dominated the thinking about women and men.

3. To make connections between the research and course content to your own experiences as a source of social and personal change. I hope that you will learn to see  "with your gender glasses on". 

Attendance
    Attendance is required.  More than one unexcused absence will lower your grade. No exceptions.  Sleeping in class is counted as an absence.

University Closing Due to Weather/Emergency
     When classes are canceled by the university, you will  receive a short at home assignment for the day that will be due at the next class meeting. Please check blackboard for these assignments. 

Evaluation
     Evaluation is based on the course objectives.   These objectives will be met by completing assignments, quizzes, in-class activities, exams as well as active participation and class attendance.

Quizzes  (30%)
      There will be seven quizzes throughout the semester (about one quiz every other week) given during the first fifteen minutes of class.  If you are late, you will not be able to take the quiz. These quizzes will focus on class lecture, discussion, in-class presentations, guest speakers, movies, and the assigned reading. Quizzes will have both multiple choice and short answer components. Answers to the quizzes will be posted on the Blackboard.  ABSOLUTELY NO MAKE UP QUIZZES WILL BE GIVEN. 
Exams  (50%)
       There will be four exams throughout the semester.  These exams will draw on lecture, reading, textbook chapters, and assignment material and will contain both multiple choice and essay items. There will be three in-class exams and a cumulative final exam. YOU WILL NEED A NUMBER 2 PENCIL FOR THESE TESTS.  ABSOLUTELY NO MAKE UP EXAMS WILL BE GIVEN
Assignments  (10%) 
     Several assignments will deepen and strengthen your understanding of course material. Assignments will be graded on accuracy, depth of understanding, college level writing (e.g.,  grammatically correct sentence structure and phrasing) and clarity of presentation. Written portions of assignments must be typed, stapled together, spell-checked, and proofread. Papers that are not written at the college level will be returned with a grade of zero. Extra credit assignments may appear on the web and will not be announced in class, so check bb regularly.
     Handing in Assignments. All assignments will be due at the beginning of class to be handed in both 1) on paper and 2) in digital drop box  on blackboard (see http://www.wpunj.edu/irt/teambb/Student/ddb/ for how to send file using ddb). All files must be in microsoft word or rtf format. All assignments should be labeled as your lastname_assignmentX_date such as haines_a1_011506.doc (or rtf).   Late assignments will not be accepted. Assignments handed in at the end of class will not be accepted. Printout failures, documents not in .doc or .rtf, not uploading an assignment attachment (bb), uploading the wrong version of an assignment (bb), inability to get on blackboard (barring a system disruption that lasts for more than 24 hours), or other computer mishaps will result in a zero for that assignment. 
Class Participation (10%)
     Contributions to discussion, online contributions (bb), rapt attention, good attendance (no more than one absence -- "excused" or otherwise), actual (even feigned) interest in the course material, thoughtful comment, turntaking, and playing off of other students' comments are all encouraged. Class "dis-participation" (disrespect for other students, answering or receiving text messages, leaving cell phones during class [and/or answering them], SLEEPING, wandering out for a snack or to make phone calls, eating gross/crunchy things in class, chronic lateness, private conversations with a neighbor while others are speaking etc.) can not be tolerated.

Grading will be on a traditional grading scale where 88-89.9 is a B+, 90-92 is an A-,  93 or above is an A and so on.

Communication
     Communication is essential to the learning process.  If the question is brief, email is the most efficient method of contact.  Communication between students is strongly encouraged.  It is a requirement to get two students' phone numbers and email addresses on the first day of class so that you may collaborate on notes and have a study partner.

Important Withdrawal Dates:   Tuesday 1/24 last day for 100% refund for withdrawal from a course; Tuesday 1/31 last day to request pass/fail or audit option; Wednesday 2/22   last day for 50% refund for withdrawal from a course;  Wednesday 3/9 last day to academically withdraw from the course (no refund) .

Academic Honesty
     It is expected that all work handed in for this class is based upon your learning and personal effort. Violations of academic integrity, including cheating, plagiarism, collusion, and lying, can not be tolerated. Please familiarize yourself with the University's Academic Honesty Policy.