10/17/2025 3:22:15 PM	SOC 15 Course Outline as of Fall 2026	Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  SOC 15	Title:  INTRO TO SOC OF GENDER
Full Title:  Introduction to Sociology of Gender
Last Reviewed:9/15/2025

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: 

Catalog Description:

In this course, students will analyze the social construction of gender and sexuality, historically and cross-culturally, through the sociological lens. Students will critically examine masculinities, femininities, the non-binary spectrum, and intersectionality. Students will explore gender inequalities and power in institutions such as the family, education system, workplace, religion, mass media, health care, and politics. Students will also analyze the micro-level experiences of individuals' socialization of and performativity of gender as a social and lived construct. In short, students will learn how we all "do gender." Course content will include lecture, activities, storytelling, media, and discussion, and will reflect the histories and lived experiences of California Community College students.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:

Recommended Preparation:
Eligibility for ENGL C1000 (formerly ENGL 1A) OR Eligibility EMLS 10 (formerly ESL 10) OR equivalent or appropriate placement based on AB705 mandates

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

In this course, students will analyze the social construction of gender and sexuality, historically and cross-culturally, through the sociological lens. Students will critically examine masculinities, femininities, the non-binary spectrum, and intersectionality. Students will explore gender inequalities and power in institutions such as the family, education system, workplace, religion, mass media, health care, and politics. Students will also analyze the micro-level experiences of individuals' socialization of and performativity of gender as a social and lived construct. In short, students will learn how we all "do gender." Course content will include lecture, activities, storytelling, media, and discussion, and will reflect the histories and lived experiences of California Community College students.

(Grade or P/NP)
Prerequisites:
Recommended:Eligibility for ENGL C1000 (formerly ENGL 1A) OR Eligibility EMLS 10 (formerly ESL 10) OR equivalent or appropriate placement based on AB705 mandates
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:	Fall 2025	Inactive:
Area:	D G L4	Social and Behavioral Sciences American Cultures/Ethnic Studies Social and Behavioral Sciences
CSU GE:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
	D	Social Science		Fall 2020
	D0	Sociology and Criminology
	D4	Gender Studies
IGETC:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
	4	Social and Behavioral Science		Fall 2020
CSU Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 2020	Inactive:
UC Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 2020	Inactive:
C-ID:
CID Descriptor: SOCI 140	Introduction to Gender	SRJC Equivalent Course(s): PSYC40 OR SOC15

Certificate/Major Applicable: Major Applicable Course

COURSE CONTENT

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

1. Identify the main agents of gender socialization and their impact on children's and adults' gender construction and performativity.

2. Describe gender ideology and practices in multiple social institutions and as found across individuals, cultures, and societies.

3. Apply their personal histories and lived experiences to course content.

 

Objectives:

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

1. Compare and contrast sociological perspectives used to interpret gender relations.

2. Differentiate between the terms sex and gender and discuss their differences within the larger social context of gender relations and performativity.

3. Identify the intersections of race, ethnicity, class, and sexuality affecting gender relations and performativity.

4. Outline the processes by which people negotiate power and gender boundaries through their relationships with others (including violent relationships).

5. Identify social and political movements to change gender inequalities and gender practices.

Topics and Scope

I. Introduction

    A. Sociological perspectives on gender

    B. The history of feminism, women's and men's studies

    C. Waves of feminist movement, e.g. liberal, socialist, radical feminism, the neoliberal critique, etc.

    D. Intersectional perspectives: the intersections of gender, race/ethnicity, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity etc.

II. Gender, Culture, and Sexuality

    A. Social construction of gender

    B. Biology, culture, and society

    C. Diversity of gender relations across cultures and history

    D. Cross-cultural and historical conceptions of the "third sex," Two-Spirit, the non-binary spectrum, gender identity and sexual orientation

III. Gender Socialization

    A. Agents of gender socialization

    B. Gender socialization across the life-course

    C. Gendered language, communication, and social interactions

    D. Masculinity studies, toxic masculinity, and redemption

IV. Sexuality and Intimate Relationships

    A. The social construction of sexuality

    B. The history of sexuality in the U.S.

    C. Contemporary sexual attitudes and behavior

    D. Sexuality over the life-course

    E. Gender and intimate relationships

    F. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, a-, inter-, and pan-sexual experiences

V. Gender and Labor

    A. Historical and anthropological perspectives on women's labor

    B. Gender inequalities in the workplace: the pay gap, glass ceiling, bans and discrimination against transgender workers etc.

    C. Sexual harassment in the workplace

    D. Gender in transnational labor experiences: immigration, globalization and feminization of poverty

    E. Intersections of family and work

VI. Gender and Families

    A. Family diversities such as: social class, race/ethnicity, same-sex couple families, families of choice, and blended families etc.

    B. Gendered family roles

    C. Changing parenting expectations and gender

    D. Social policy and work-family challenges

VII. Gender, Health, and Reproduction

    A. Gender and the healthcare system

    B. The economics and politics of reproduction such as: reproductive technologies, new family formations, and reproductive justice

    C. The medicalization of intersex and transgender identity (such as early interventions in lives of intersex/transgender kids and gender-confirming procedures and surgeries)

VIII. Sex and Gender in the Mass Media

    A. The social construction of sex and gender in popular culture

    B. Sex and gendered representations in the mass media

    C. Social media and gendered communication patterns

IX. Gender and Education

    A. Gender inequalities in the education system

    B. Women in higher education and beyond

    C. Underrepresentation of women in STEM fields

X. Gender, Politics and Power

    A. Women's participation in the political process

    B. LGBTQIA+ participation in the political process

    C. Language, gender, and power

XI. Gender, Deviance, and Violence

    A. Gender-based experiences in the criminal justice system such as: women as criminals, LGBTQIA+ experiences, disproportionate race (Black) and gender (male) imprisonment rates

    B. Intimate partner and gender-based violence

    C. Sexual-based assault and harassment violence

XII. Social Change: Reform, Policy, Feminism, Men's, and LGBTQIA Movements

    A. #MeToo, #TimesUp, and other social movements on the path towards healing

    B. LGBTQIA+ movements: beyond marriage equality

    C. Contextualizing counter-movements and hate-based legislation and policies

Assignments:

1. Weekly reading assignments and/or multimedia engagement

2. Writing assignments (cumulative total of at least 1500 words) across media such as:

  a. Class exercises

  b. Personal reflections

  c. Reaction papers

  d. Research projects

  e. Journal entries

  f. Online discussions

  g. Annotations

  h. Media analyses

3. Quizzes and/or exams on material from lectures, readings, and other media

4. Additional assignments as determined by instructor may include:

  a. Group projects

  b. Class presentations

  c. Video presentations

  d. Ethnographic fieldwork

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 - 50%
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/or exams
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 0 - 20%
Additional assignments (if assigned); participation

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

Gender: Ideas, Interactions, Institutions. Third Edition. Wade, Lisa and Ferree Marx, Myra.  W.W. Norton and Company. 2022

Gender through the Prism of Difference. Sixth Edition. Baca Zinn, Maxine, et al. Oxford University Press. 2019 (Classic).

The Gender Trap: Parents and the Pitfalls of Raising Boys and Girls. Kane, Emily W. NYU Press. 2012 (Classic).

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