CONTEMPORARY MASCULINITIES
Fall 2007
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:00-1:15pm
CUE 418
This course explores what it means to be a man in contemporary society. We will examine how men actively construct multiple “masculinities” in different social and historical contexts and at different stages of their lives and with different consequences for both individuals (men, women, children) and social institutions (family, school, work, health, sports, politics, and media). Not only are there many kinds of “masculinities” but some are more socially dominant (hegemonic) and some considered subordinate (non-hegemonic) within a particular culture and given historical period. After exploring the social construction of masculinities, we will focus on the impact of masculinities on the institutions of education, work, sports, family, media, and health care. We will then proceed to examine masculinities in relation to race, ethnicity, nationality, and citizenship. We begin by reading and discussing stories from an anthology of contemporary black men’s writings. Then we will read a study on the lives of working-class men in Mexico City to explore their attitudes about sexuality, fatherhood, and machismo. Finally, we will read a fictional story about a troubled Indian teenage boy who must confront his past in order to carve out a future. This course fulfills [S] & [D] GER requirements.
COURSE GOALS:
1) To understand how masculinities are constructed in different social contexts.
2) To understand how masculinities shape individual lives, relationships, groups, and social institutions.
3) To understand how masculinities intersect with race, class, sexuality, and nationality.
4) To improve analytical and critical skills in the various assignments.
C.E.S. OUTCOMES: (See CES Assessment Rubric)
#1 Outcome: Recognizes and summarizes the impact of race (and masculinity)
#2 Outcome: Knows who she or he is in a complex, unequal, and often contradictory world
#4 Outcome: Identifies and assesses social norms and assumptions
#5 Outcome: Asks critical questions and formulates a relevant research plan
#8 Outcome: Active and critical verbal and/or written discussion of issues
SPECIAL NOTES:
* The instructor reserves the right to modify and make any changes to the syllabus during the semester.
*Academic Dishonesty includes cheating, plagiarism, and fabrication in the process of completing academic work. If caught students we be punished according to university guidelines: WAC 504-25-015
*Students with Disabilities: I am committed to providing assistance tohelp you be successful in this course. Reasonable accommodations are available for students with a documented disability. Please go to the Disability Resource Center (DRC) during the first two weeks of every semester to seek information or to qualify for accommodations. All accommodations MUST be approved through the DRC, located in the Administration Annex Bldg, Room 205. To make an appointment with a disability counselor, please call 335-3417.
(Last Updated 8/21/07)