DR. CYNTHIA L. VIERAOffice: 602 285-7241
Behavioral Sciences Dept. Home: 480 968-4640
DalbyBldg, Room 318E-mail:
Office Hours:M-F: 9:00-10:00 a.m. online or at 480 968-4640.
In person: By appointment
Call instructor directly to set up appointment.
WST 100: Introduction to Women’s and Gender Studies
Required Textbook:
Thinking about Women: Sociological Perspectives
on Sex and Gender
Authors: Margaret L. Andersen with Dana Hysock Witham
9th Edition, 2011 Allyn & Bacon/Pearson
(New edition in 2015 but you can use any edition).
ISBN: 978-0-205-84095-3
You can use any edition of the textbook even if it is an older edition. Sometimes, you can get older editions much cheaper by looking at used textbook websites.
MODIFICATIONS TO THIS SYLLABUS MAY BE MADE THROUGHOUT THE SEMESTER. Such modifications will be posted on the Announcement section of Blackboard. It is your responsibility to keep apprised of any such modifications and class announcements. Please refer to the College Catalog and/or the Student Handbook for a description of students’ rights and responsibilities.
Course Format.
This course is a self-paced, completely online course. The only deadline is the final deadline at the end of the semester when all materials are due. This deadline is posted on Canvas. There are no incompletes or extensions of time granted in this course.
Course Description
This course critical issues in women’s studies with a focus on the transitions in the discipline in the last 20 years to include aspects of gender diversity. We will cover Chapters 1-13 from the textbook.
Withdrawal Deadlines
You must log into the class by the last day of the first weekof the semesterand complete the Respond to Confirm Enrollment Moduleto avoid being withdrawn as a ‘no-show’. At any time prior to the week of finals, you may contact me if you wish to withdraw from the class.
Assignments, Quizzes and Tests
Modules. My online classes are organized in modules which correspond to each chapter in the book. You should begin each module by reading the corresponding chapter in the textbook.
Each module contains power points relating to the chapter content but you are asked to the textbook for additional study materials. At the end of each chapter in the book, there is a section entitled "Chapter Summary and Themes"and a listing of "Key Terms". Of course, you should read the entire chapter first and then review all of these items before you start on the graded assignments.
Theme Assignments. There are two separate assignments for each chapter both of which require written responses. The first assignment (labeled as Theme Assignment in the module) is more concrete and asksyou to apply concepts from the book and focuses on the Themes identified at the end of each chapter. These assignments are brief discussion responses requiring about 2-4 sentences for each item in the assignment.These assignments are worth 20 points each.
Video Assignments. The second assignment (labeled Video Assignment in the module) is connected to a video clip contained in each chapter module and requires a more reflective reaction and discussion to questions that focus on the video content. Each video clip relates in some way to the chapter content but is usually more in-depth and may sometimes present opposing ideas that are not contained in the chapter. You will be asked to provide a reaction discussion focused on specific questions relating to the video in each chapter. The videos are 30 - 60 minutes long and are selected with the intention that you will be exposed to new or challenging ideas that will make you reflect on the chapter topic. Your reaction paragraphs must convince me that you have watched the entire video (e.g. by using examples from the videos) and that you have reflected on the content of the video (e.g. by connecting it with your own experiences, values or beliefs). In addition, your paragraphs must be well-written and must respond to the more open-ended question or questions I provide in the Video Assignment. Each reaction discussion should be about 150-200 words. You should proofread your submission for spelling and grammar and meaningfulness.These assignments are worth 30 points each.
There are no exams and no comprehensive final so you must do a good job on the two types of assignments described above.
Grade Breakdown
There is no opportunity for extra credit. Final grades as based on the following breakdown of points:
Theme Assignments 260 Points
Video Assignments 390 Points
A's = 90%-100%
B's = 80%-89%
C's = 70-79%
D's = 60-69%
Contacting the Instructor
Please contact me if you have any questions. You may call me at my home (480 968-4640) if it is before 10:00 p.m. My office number is listed on the first page of this syllabus. You may also send me an email. My email address is listed below.
My online office hours are from 9:00-10:00 a.m. every day online or through my home phone. I am on campus in the afternoons but I may be in meetings. Therefore, if you would like to meet
with me in person, please call me and we can arrange a convenient time for you to visit me in my office.
It is a pleasure to have you in my online class!!
Dr. Cynthia Viera
Home: 480 968-4640
No calls after 10:00 p.m. please
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