Course Description
Examination of the role that everyday interaction plays in the creation, maintenance, and change of our system of gender difference and gender inequality in contemporary United States society. To address these questions, we will critically examine current sociological theory and research on gender, inequality, and interaction.
Athena Title
Gender and Interaction
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in SOCI 4740W
Prerequisite
SOCI 1101 or SOCI 1101H or SOCI 2600 or PSYC 1101 or permission of department
Semester Course Offered
Offered every year.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
Our goal in this course will be to understand both how gender shapes what happens in interaction and how what happens in interaction affects gender difference and inequality. Students will gain a working understanding of sociological and social psychological theories of inequality and interaction and an up- to-date knowledge of empirical research on gender, interaction, and inequality.
Topical Outline
Possible topics: 1. Overview of gender theories 2. History of gender movements in the United States 3. Power, dependence, and exchange theories 4. Role theory, status characteristics theory, and status construction theory 5. Socialization and development theories 6. Friendships and romantic relationships 7. Gender, health, and emotion 8. Gender and education 9. Gender and paid labor 10. Gender and household labor