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General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
WMSTD012.
Course Title (CB02)
Psychology of Gender
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Course Description
This course is an exploration of research and theory on gender in psychology, analyzing the biological, psychological, cultural and social factors and their origins.
Faculty Requirements
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

This course is a major preparation requirement in the discipline of Psychology and the discipline of Women's Studies for at least one CSU or UC. This course meets a general education requirement for °®¶¹´«Ã½, CSU GE, and IGETC. It belongs on the Psychology ADT degree. It is a broad survey course of gender psychology, focusing on interactions with such areas as personality, cognition, learning, and physiological development.

Foothill Equivalency

Does the course have a Foothill equivalent?
No
Foothill Course ID

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Course Development Options

Basic Skill Status (CB08)
Course is not a basic skills course.
Grade Options
  • Letter Grade
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
0

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Transferable to both UC and CSU
°®¶¹´«Ã½ GEArea(s)StatusDetails
2GDX°®¶¹´«Ã½ GE Area D - Social and Behavioral SciencesApproved
2GEX°®¶¹´«Ã½ GE Area E - Personal DevelopmentApproved
CSU GEArea(s)StatusDetails
CGDYCSU GE Area D - Social SciencesApproved
CGEXCSU GE Area E - Lifelong Learning and Self-Development (Non-Activity)Approved
IGETCArea(s)StatusDetails
IG4XIGETC Area 4 - Social and Behavioral SciencesApproved

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
4.0
Maximum Credit Units
4.0

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours4.08.0
Laboratory Hours0.00.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
48.0
Laboratory
0.0
Total
48.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
96.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
96.0

Prerequisite(s)

Corequisite(s)

Advisory(ies)

EWRT D001A or EWRT D01AH or ESL D005.

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

(Not open to students with credit in the cross-listed course(s).)

(Also listed as PSYC D012.)

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

(See general education pages for the requirements this course meets.)

Methods of Instruction

Lecture and visual aids

Discussion of assigned reading

Discussion and problem solving performed in class

Quiz and examination review performed in class

Homework and extended projects

Guest speakers

Collaborative learning and small group exercises

Collaborative projects

Assignments

  1. Assigned readings from required text and references.
  2. A collaborative group presentation on the topic of Gender and Psychology in the Media, requiring groups to evaluate a gender finding and provide supporting evidence in the form of specific examples in music or TV/film industry.
  3. Based on the gender and media collaborative presentation, students will individually write a critical analysis of the research on the group's chosen topic and demonstrate how each song or TV/video clip is an example of the finding they have chosen.
  4. Gender debates: students will work in collaborative teams and each team will be assigned to defend a specific position (pro or con) regarding a current gender issue. Each team will work together in researching and synthesizing key arguments supporting their side of an issue and will present the issue and arguments to the class.

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Two mid-term examinations using a combination of objective, short answer and essay questions to evaluate the student's grasp of the theories, core concepts, methods of inquiry and significant empirical data that comprise the course content. The essay component will require critical thinking and analysis and/or synthesis.
  2. A collaborative group presentation on the topic of Gender and Psychology in the Media. Groups can choose from the music industry or television and film industry. Groups will apply one research finding regarding gender issues, and they will select five songs or five TV/film clips that provide evidence for the research finding they are investigating. Grading will be based on rubric provided and will depend on the group's ability to skillfully present and demonstrate how the chosen songs or TV/video clips are applications of the finding.
  3. The writing assignment related to gender and the media is based on the group presentation. Each group member will write a critical analysis of the research finding and also describe how each song/clip relates to the gender finding they investigated. Although the papers and presentations are related assignments, they will be graded separately. Grading for this paper will be based on another rubric provided and will depend on the student's ability to critically analyze and explain why their chosen clips are indeed applications of the finding.
  4. A two-hour comprehensive final exam including multiple-choice questions and an essay component that will require students to summarize, integrate, and critically analyze the major theoretical perspectives, modes of inquiry, and the important core concepts examined throughout the course.
  5. Working in collaborative teams, students will be assigned to defend a specific position (pro or con) regarding a current gender issue. This will require students to work together in researching and synthesizing key arguments supporting their side of an issue and finally presenting their arguments in the form of a debate taking turns with the opposing side of the issue. Grading will be based on the ability of the groups to defend 5-6 points supporting their position, with each point substantiated by peer-reviewed empirical research.

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials: 
  • None.
Essential College Facilities:
  • None.

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
Brannon, L. Gender: psychological perspectives. 7th edition. New York, NY: Routledge, 2016.
Helgeson, Vicky. Psychology of Gender (5th Ed.). New York, NY: Routledge, 2016.
Lips, H. M. Gender: The Basics. 2nd Ed. New York, NY: Routledge, 2018.

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisher
American Association of University Women. Hostile Hallways: Bullying, Teasing and Sexual Harassment in School. Washington, DC: American Association of University Women Educational Foundation, 2001.
Amnesty International. Broken Bodies, Shattered Minds: Torture and Ill-Treatment of Women. Oxford, UK: Author, 2001.
Bornstein, Robert. The Psychodynamics of Gender and Gender Role. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association, 2002.
Chu, Judy and Gilligan, Carol. When Boys Become Boys: Development, Relationships, and Masculinity. New York: NYU Press, 2014.
Etaugh, Claire and Bridges, Judith. The Psychology of Women, A Lifespan Perspective, 4th ed. New York, NY: Routledge, 2017.
Kam-Shing Yip. Psychology of Gender Identity: An International Perspective. Nova Science Publishers, 2006
Matlin, Margaret. The Psychology of Women. 7th ed. New York, NY: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, 2011.
Rudman, Laurie, A. and Glick, Peter. The Social Psychology of Gender: how Power and Intimacy Shape Gender Relations. New York, NY: Guilford Press, 2010.
Spanier, Bonnie, B. Impartial Science: Gender Ideology in Molecular Biology. Indiana University Press. 2007
Travis, Cheryl B. and White, Jacquelyn W. APA Handbook of the Psychology of Women. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association, 2017.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Analyze the influence of biology, culture and society on the development of gender differences
  • Evaluate the historical research on the psychology of sex and gender
  • Examine current theories on gender development
  • Interpret how myths and stereotypes influence one's gender identity
  • Analyze how gender affects career and work choices and experiences
  • Interpret how gender differences and similarities affect one's psychological and physical functioning based on research
  • Examine how gender affects sexuality
  • Compare and contrast the effects of violence by gender

CSLOs

  • Identify historical, mythological, societal, familial, ethnic and cultural influences that shape gender.

  • Explain the biological basis of gender behavior throughout the life cycle.

Outline

  1. Analyze the influence of biology, culture and society on the development of gender differences
    1. Religion and myths: early history to present day
    2. Physiological differences from conception through early development
    3. Agents of socialization in all cultures
      1. Parents and other family members: gender role expectations
      2. Schools: course material, books, expectations, treatment by teachers/coaches/peers
      3. Media: books, ads, films, television, social media
      4. Language-using the term "male or man" as normative (e.g., mankind)
      5. Extracurricular Activities: sports, music, art, other
      6. Political Environment
      7. Work environment
  2. Evaluate the historical research on the psychology of sex and gender
    1. Psychoanalytical and Object Relations: Freud, Jung, Horney, Kohut, Klein, Mahler, Chodorow and non-western sources
    2. Social learning: Bandura, Kendall, Bem
    3. Cognitive: Piaget, Kolberg, Gilligan
    4. Androgeny: Bem, Broverman
  3. Examine current theories on gender development
    1. Biological contributions: biochemical (neurotransmitters and hormones)
    2. Environmental theories: socialization, influences
  4. Interpret how myths and stereotypes influence one's gender identity
    1. Myths and stereotypes about femininity
    2. Myths and stereotypes about masculinity
    3. Non-binary myths and stereotypes
    4. Myths and stereotypes about androgyny
  5. Analyze how gender affects career and work choices and experiences
    1. Types of work available by gender cross culturally
    2. Salary and opportunities
    3. United States legislation relating to work - successes and failures
      1. Equal Pay Act
      2. Comparable worth
      3. Sexual harassment
      4. Hate crimes legislation
  6. Interpret how gender differences and similarities affect one's psychological and physical functioning based on research
    1. Self Concept: identity, esteem, confidence, body image
    2. Achievement vs. attribution of luck
    3. Emotional expression
    4. Intellectual and cognitive abilities
    5. The aging process
    6. Intimacy and attachment
    7. Communication (verbal and non-verbal)
    8. Psychological diagnoses and treatment: experiences and biases
    9. Physical health: wellness and longevity
    10. Social support: friendships, romantic
  7. Examine how gender affects sexuality
    1. Attitudes
    2. Arousal
    3. Behavior
    4. Sexual orientation and gender identity
  8. Compare and contrast the effects of violence by gender
    1. Rape
    2. Sexual assault
    3. Incest
    4. Sexual harrassment
    5. Other forms of physical abuse
    6. War
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