University of Utah

GNDR 1100 – Gender & Social Change

Class Meeting Schedule: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 10:45am-12:05pm in James Talmage Building, Room 120

Instructor Information:Office Hours

Dr. Lynn DeboeckTuesdays9:00am-10:30am

Office: Bldg. 44, Rm. 220& by appointment

E-mail:

Course Objectives:

This course is intended as an introductory course in the connection of social change and gender with specific regard to sexuality, sexual orientation issues and the intersectionality of these with class and race. Specific course objectives include the following:

  • To develop an introductory understanding of gender and gender theory.
  • To identify attitudes, values and experiences that impact how society views, acknowledges and understands gender.
  • To expose the student to their own biases and how their individual gender role, coupled with how they identify with regards to race, ethnicity and sexuality, shape their life experience.
  • To enhance the student’s ability to write critically about social change with proper acknowledgement of gender’s role.
  • To apply appropriate and rigorous criticism, analysis and practical methodologies withan in-depth, group project.

Required Materials:

Materials for this course will be posted on Canvas.

Expectations:

Daily Participation: This course requires your active participation during each class meeting as well as outside meetings with your assigned group. Therefore attendance, daily participation in discussion, and an open, respectful disposition toward all work in the classroom factor heavily in the student’s overall grade. Failure to participate will adversely affect the student’s course grade.

Written Assignments: Two research papers are to be turned in via Canvas on delineated due dates. More information about these assignments will be distributed in class and/or on Canvas at a later date.

Group Project: Final group Social Change Projects will have parts that must be ready for in-class presentation on the dates designated in the syllabus. Your group’s finalpresentation will be assigned on a future date, closer to the end of term. Preparation of work will occur both in and out of class and it is the student’s responsibility to meet and participate with their group.

Canvas: All assignment descriptions, additional readings and class announcements will be posted on Canvas, the university’s LMS (Learning Management System).

Missed/Late Work:Students will not be allowed to make up missed assignments without consultation with and consent from the professor. A missed assignmentis one that has passed the due date/time by twenty-four hours. Assignments turned in after the due date/time, but before the 24 hour mark will be considered late. Late work will only be accepted if the professor has been notified prior to the student turning it in and at a reduction of up to half credit.

Course Content Policy:As is stated in the University of Utah’s Student Code of conduct: “Students have a right to reasonable notice of the general content of the course, what will be required of them, and the criteria upon which their performance will be evaluated.” I have delineated the themes, sections and readings we will cover in this course in the syllabus. Some of the writings, lectures, discussions or presentations in this course may include material that some students may find upsetting. Please review the syllabus carefully to see if the course is one that you are committed to taking. If you have a concern, please discuss it with me at your earliest convenience.For more information, visit

Additional Expectations:It is expected that you will foster a respectful environment together as a class. Deliberate personal attacks or disrespectful comments of any nature will not be permitted. Students will be asked to leave class and receive an absence for that day for offensive or disruptive conduct. Phone calls, texting, listening to electronic devices and eating are prohibited during class.

Grading Breakdown:

Attendance (25%)250 points

Participation (25%)250 points

Papers (25%)250 points (125 points each)

Final Project (25%)250 points

Total: 100% 1000 points

Grades: 950-1000 = A ; 900-949 = A- ; 870-899 = B+ ; 830-869 = B; 800-829 = B- ; 770-799 = C+ ; 730-769 = C ; 700-729 = C- ; 670-699 = D+ ; 630-669 = D ; 600-629 = D- ; Lower than 600 = F

University Policies

Americans with Disabilities Act

The University of Utah seeks to provide equal access to its programs, services and activities for people with disabilities. If you will need accommodations in this class, reasonable prior notice needs to be given to the Center for Disability Services, 162 Union Building, 581-5020 (V/TDD). CDS will work with you and the instructor to make arrangements for accommodations.

University of Utah Student Code

All students are expected to maintain professional behavior in the classroom setting, according to the Student Code, spelled out in the Student Handbook. Students have specific rights in the classroom as detailed in Article III of the Code. The Code also specifies proscribed conduct (Article XI) that involves cheating on tests, plagiarism, and/or collusion, as well as fraud, theft, etc. Students should read the Code carefully and know they are responsible for its content.

According to Faculty Rules and Regulations, it is the faculty responsibility to enforce responsible classroom behaviors, and I will do so, beginning with verbal warnings and progressing to dismissal from class and a failing grade. Students have the right to appeal such action to the Student Behavior Committee.

Deliberately engaging in plagiarism or misrepresenting someone else’s work as one’s own, will result in a failing grade for the assignment or for the course. As per University policy, academic misconduct will be reported to the chairperson of the student’s home department and the Dean of Students. Please consult the Student Code for further details.

Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment is unwanted, unwelcome behavior of a sexual nature. It is a form of discrimination and a violation of University policy, Student and Faculty Codes, and state and federal laws. Report any sexual harassment of which you become aware, and be sensitive to how others view what you say and do. If you feel you are being sexually harassed or are uncertain about whether you are experiencing sexual harassment, talk to a faculty member, University official, or contact the Office of Equal Opportunity & Affirmative Action, 135 Park Building, 581-8365 (V/TDD).

Please note that if you report sexual harassment or assault to any University employee, they are legally obligated to report this to the Dean of Students. This doesn’t mean that someone reporting an incident must press charges, but it does mean that the Dean and the OEO will investigate the matter.

Attendance:

Due to the participatory nature of this course, it is imperative that students come to class. After 3 absences, each subsequent absence will lower the student’s final grade by one half of a letter grade (or 50 points). A student will be considered late once class has begun, and will be considered absent if late more than 10 minutes. Three tardies equal one absence. Leaving class early is not permitted. It should also be noted that if a student arrives at the classroom and there is a performance in progress, they will not be allowed to enter and will be counted late.

*The contents of this syllabus and course schedule are subject to change at the

discretion of the professor based on the needs of the class.*

FALL, 2016 GDR 1300 COURSE SCHEDULE:

Day / Date / What’s Due / In-Class Activity / Assignment Reminders
Tuesday / 8/23 / N/A / -Introduction to course/syllabus distributed
Module 1 – Gender is Not a Binary
Thursday / 8/25 / Read Module 1-A on Canvas / -Lecture/Discussion
-Groups for Final Project assigned
-Group Info sheet distributed / Group Info Sheets Due NEXT THURSDAY, 9/1
Tuesday / 8/30 / Read Module 1-B on Canvas / -Lecture/Discussion
-Stools ‘n Stands reading
Thursday / 9/1 / Read Module 1-C on Canvas
Group Info Sheets / -Lecture/Discussion
-Collect Info Sheet
-Group meetings & updates
-First paper assigned (due 9/27)
Tuesday / 9/6 / Read Module 1-D on Canvas / -Lecture/Discussion
-Group meetings / First presentations due NEXT TUESDAY, 9/13
Thursday / 9/8 / Read Module 1-E on Canvas / -Lecture/Discussion
-Overview of paper topics
-Group meetings; discussion about first presentations
Day / Date / What’s Due / In-Class Activity / Assignment/Reminders Given
Module 2 – The “F” Word
Tuesday / 9/13 / Read Module 2-A on Canvas
First Final Project Presentations / -Lecture/Discussion
-Presentations
Thursday / 9/15 / Read Module 2-B on Canvas / -Lecture/Discussion / Second Presentations due NEXT THURSDAY, 9/22
Tuesday / 9/20 / Read Module 2-C / -Lecture/Discussion
-Group updates/meetings
Thursday / 9/22 / Read Module 2-D
Second Final Project Presentations / -Lecture/Discussion
-Presentations / First paper due
TUESDAY, 9/27
Reminder: PRIDE WEEK COMING UP!
Tuesday / 9/27 / Read Module 2-E
First Paper Due / -Lecture/Discussion
Thursday / 9/29 / Read Module 2-F / -Lecture/Discussion / Third Presentations due TUESDAY, 10/18
PRIDE WEEK!!! / 10/4-10/6 / Attend at least one Pride Week event and come prepared to discuss. / Use this time to work on your final group projects too! / Attend Pride Event:

FALL BREAK
10/9-10/16
Module 3 – Considering Masculinity
Tuesday / 10/18 / Read Module 3-A
Third Final Project Presentations / -Lecture/Discussion
-Presentations
Thursday / 10/20 / Read Module 3-B / -Lecture/Discussion / Fourth Presentations due THURSDAY, 10/27
Tuesday / 10/25 / Read Module 3-C / -Lecture/Discussion
-Second paper assigned (due 11/22)
Thursday / 10/27 / Read Module 3-D
Fourth Final Project Presentations / -Lecture/Discussion
-Presentations
Tuesday / 11/1 / Read Module 3-E / -Lecture/Discussion
Day / Date / What’s Due / In-Class Activity / Assignment/Reminders
Module 4 - Intersectionality
Thursday / 11/3 / Read Module 4-A / -Lecture/Discussion
Tuesday / 11/8 / Read Module 4-B / -Lecture/Discussion
Thursday / 11/10 / Read Module 4-C / -Lecture/Discussion
Tuesday / 11/15 / Read Module 4-D
Second Papers Due / -Lecture/Discussion / Second papers due TUESDAY, 11/22
Thursday / 11/17 / Read Module 4-E / -Lecture/Discussion / Fifth Presentations Due TUESDAY, 11/29
Tuesday / 11/22 / Read Module 4-F
Second Papers Due / -Lecture/Discussion
THANKSGIVING BREAK
11/24-11/26
Tuesday / 11/29 / Read Module 5-A
Fifth Final Project Presentations Due / -Lecture/Discussion
-Presentations
Thursday / 12/1 / Read Module 5-B / -Lecture/Discussion
Tuesday / 12/6 / Read Module 5-C / -Lecture/Discussion
-Group Meetings
Thursday / 12/8 / Read Module 5-D / -Lecture/Discussion
-Group Meetings
Final Presentations during scheduled final time (TBD)