Women in US Society syllabus

Women in US society (SocSc.220)

Instructor: M.Giuili

Spring 2012: Florence, Italy

A multicultural and interdisciplinary examination of women's changing roles in U.S. society. Examines the social institutions and values which shape those roles. The course considers the significant events and developments shaping the social, political, and economic status of women. It will also consider the importance of race/ethnicity, class, region, and sexual orientation in differentiating the experiences and opportunities for women. Studying these issues in Florence will allow you to experience those differences first hand by observing and interacting with women of a different culture and thus differences in women’s responsibilities, values and priorities. We will be looking at women’s position in the labor market, politics, family, income distribution, health, education etc… Current events illustrate how women play a more active role in shaping the socio-economic and political direction their countries are taking. A perfect time to study this topic!

SLO – Student Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

1-      Examine the significance of gender as a factor in shaping experience and opportunity of American women in the twentieth century.

2-      Compare the changing rights and obligations of women under the U.S. and California constitutions and laws, and the evolution of the role of women as local, state, national and international citizens.

3-      Compare the significance of race, class, region, and culture in the differential experiences and opportunities.

4-      Evaluate critically contemporary and historical debates about gender, race, class, and sexual orientation.

5-      Evaluate progress toward political, social and economic equality for all women.

Textbook: “Thinking about Women” (9^th edition) by Margaret Andersen

                 ISBN: 978-0-205-84095-3

Course methodology: The class will consist mainly of lectures and discussions based on the textbook, enclosed articles, current events and observations. Group activities and working on topics together will make the class more interactive. There will also be a group project that will constitute 15% of your overall grade.

Your final grade will be calculated in the following manner:

            Midterm exam                                      30%

            Final exam                                            40%

            Class presentation                                 15%

            Class participation/group work  10%

            Personal budget                                   5%

Tentative Schedule:

February          7         Introduction

9                  Chapter 1

10              Social construction of gender (ch2)

14                   “

16       Gender, culture and media (ch.3)

21                   “

23       Relationships (ch.4)

28                   “

March              1         Women in the workplace (ch.5)

                         6                     “

                         8         MIDTERM EXAM     

                        20        Family (ch.6)

                        22                    “

                        27        Women and health (ch.7)

                        29                    “

April                 3         Women and crime (ch.9)

                         5                     “

                        10        Women, education and science (ch.10)

                        12                    “

                        17        Women and politics (ch.11)

                        19                    “

24                Final exam

26        Summing up