11/21/2024 9:47:12 AM	PSYC 40 Course Outline as of Summer 2025	Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  PSYC 40	Title:  INTRO TO PSYCH OF GENDER
Full Title:  Introduction to Psychology of Gender
Last Reviewed:10/9/2023

Units		Course Hours per Week			Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	3.00	Lecture Scheduled	3.00		17.5 max.	Lecture Scheduled	52.50
Minimum	3.00	Lab Scheduled	0		6 min.	Lab Scheduled	0
		Contact DHR	0			Contact DHR	0
		Contact Total	3.00			Contact Total	52.50
		Non-contact DHR	0			Non-contact DHR Total	0

Total Out of Class Hours:  105.00

Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade or P/NP
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly:  PSYCH 40

Catalog Description:

Students will explore psychological research and theories on gender. This course includes an intersectional critique of biological, psychological, and sociocultural ideas of gender and an exploration of gender continuums from cisgender to transgender. Topics will be explored from multiple perspectives including stereotypes, relationships, violence, sexuality, work, academics, and experiences of and responses to gender oppression.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:

Recommended Preparation:
Eligibility for ENGL 1A or equivalent

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

Students will explore psychological research and theories on gender. This course includes an intersectional critique of biological, psychological, and sociocultural ideas of gender and an exploration of gender continuums from cisgender to transgender. Topics will be explored from multiple perspectives including stereotypes, relationships, violence, sexuality, work, academics, and experiences of and responses to gender oppression.

(Grade or P/NP)
Prerequisites:
Recommended:Eligibility for ENGL 1A or equivalent
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;UC.
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:		Effective:		Inactive:
Area:
CSU GE:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
	E	Lifelong Learning and Self Development		Fall 1981
IGETC:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
	4	Social and Behavioral Science		Fall 1981
	4I	Psychology
CSU Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 1981	Inactive:
UC Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 1981	Inactive:
C-ID:
CID Descriptor: SOCI 140	Introduction to Gender	SRJC Equivalent Course(s): PSYC40 OR SOC15

Certificate/Major Applicable: Both Certificate and Major Applicable

COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Critically evaluate the research on and theories of gender and sex differences in related socio-cultural contexts.

2. Articulate how sociocultural intersections associated with gender impact self-perception, interpersonal relationship, and mental health.

3. Describe gender-oppressive systems and their resulting psychological impacts, and methods of response.

 

Objectives:

At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Define sex, gender, and sexual orientation.

2. Critically evaluate the history of psychological research and theories on gender.

3. Understand the current research on physiological and psychological sex differences and its limitations.

4. Contrast heteronormative assumptions and stereotypes with broader expressions of gender.

5. Describe the process of gender development and influential factors in gender socialization.

6. Compare the intersection of gender identities with race, social class, and age.

7. Analyze gender differences in social roles and interpersonal relationships.

8. Critically situate mental health diagnosis and treatment of gender in its social-cultural-political context.

9. Identify forms of gender oppression, its physical and psychological consequences, as well as strategies for coping, resistance, resilience, and allyship.

Topics and Scope

I. Researching Sex and Gender

     A. Defining sex, gender, sexual orientation and limitations of definitions

    B. Problems in focusing on differences vs. focusing on similarities

    C. Discrimination in research

II. History of the Study of Sex Differences in Psychology

     A. Methods of analysis

    B. Origin of the theory of sex differences

    C. Physiological

    D. Psychological

    E. Underlying assumptions and biases

         1. Patriarchal social influences

         2. White supremacy

III. Investigation of Sex Differences

    A. Physiological

         1. Genes

         2. Hormones

         3. Brain structure

         4. Primary sexual characteristics

         5. Secondary sexual characteristics

         6. Intersex

    B. Psychological

         1. Intellectual/cognitive

         2. Emotional differences

         3. Behavioral

    C. Limitation of sex difference research

IV. Beyond the Gender/Sex Binary

    A. Challenging heteronormative assumptions

    B. Transgender

    C. Sexual diversity

V. Gender Development and Socialization

    A. Theories of gender development

    B. Sources of gender socialization

VI. Intersectional Identities

    A. Race and gender

    B. Social class and gender

    C. Age and gender

VII. Social Roles and Interpersonal Relationships

    A. Interpretation of femininity, masculinity, and androgyny

    B. Self-concept and mental health

    C. Friendships

    D. Romantic relationships

    E. Parenting

    F. Power and leadership

    G. Changes with age

    H. Work

    I. Criminal justice systems

VIII. Gender and Mental Health

    A. Gender and mental health diagnoses

    B. Feminist therapy

    C. Gender identity therapy

IX. Oppression and its Psychological Impacts

    A. Forms of gender oppression

    B. Gender-based violence

    C. Physical health impacts

    D. Psychological impacts

    E. Psychological responses to oppression

    F. Coping, resistance, and resilience

    G. Oppression within activist groups

    H. White feminism, white fragility

    I.  Allyship

Assignments:

1. Weekly reading (approximately 35 pages)

2. Writing assignment(s) (for a total minimum of 1,250 words) such as:

    A. Self-reflection

    B. Literature reviews

    C. Experiential response

    D. Project

3. Quizzes and exams (2 minimum)

4. Other assignments, such as:

    A. Presentation

     B. Group project

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.

Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.		Writing 30 - 60%
Writing assignments
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 0 - 0%
None
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.		Skill Demonstrations 0 - 0%
None
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 40 - 60%
Quizzes and exams
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 0 - 20%
Other assignments; attendance and participation

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

Delusions of Gender: How Our Minds, Society, and Neurosexism Create Difference. 1st ed. Fine, Cordelia. W. W. Norton & Company. 2011 (classic).

Psychology of Gender. 6th ed. Helgeson, Vicki. Routledge. 2020.

Psychology of Women & Gender. 1st ed. Liss, Miriam, Rickmond, Kate, and Erchull, Mindy. W. W. Norton & Company. 2019.

The Psychology of Sex and Gender. 2nd ed. Bosson, Jennifer, Buckner, Camille, and Vandello, Joseph. Sage Press. 2021.

Additional websites and books/articles as needed and available in Library Reserve.

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