GEN/PHI 333. Theories of Gender & Sexuality

Prof. Kyoo Lee, 524 West 59th St. Rm 8.63.15, Dept. of Philosophy, John Jay College, CUNY

Office Hours: by Appointment

kylee@jjay.cuny.edu

Class Schedule and Material

Course Description       

This course introduces theoretical perspectives and traditions that give Gender Studies its interdisciplinary identities.  Following a series of basic yet deep, conceptual questions about gender and sexuality as our narrative threads, we will explore some of the sociological, psychological, philosophical, economic, literary, and historical theories that continue to shape and expand the field; along the way, we will also discover dynamic ways in which gender and sexuality intersect with other social categories such as race, ethnicity, and class.   

Course Objectives         

By the time you finish this course, you will:    

• Gain broad familiarity with theories and schools of thought in gender and sexuality.
  

• Have a little sharper mind and keener eye for all things gendered and sexuated; you will read between the lines better. 
  

• Understand, in both concrete and abstract terms, why and how, among others, issues to do with gender and sexuality become integral part of practically and virtually all thoughts and decisions, formal or informal, private or public. 
  

• Be able to integrate theoretical insights you've gained about gender and sexuality into other related intellectual projects. 
  

Required Texts 

• Chanter, Tina. Gender: Kep Concepts in Philosophy. London: Continuum, 2007. Print.
  

• Readings web-linked or pdf downloadable from the class schedule page: a responsible use of electronic devices in class permitted. 
  

Class Meeting Schedule| JOURNAL DUE on Fri (11:59p)| Journal Samples (pass)

• 01/30First Day
  

• 02/06Sex-Gender-Identity-Sexuality| 02/10
  

• 02/15The Personal is Theoretical?| 02/17
  

• 02/27The Theoretical is Scientific?| 03/03
  

• 03/06Personal, Theoretical, Differential| 03/10
  

• 03/13Coming to Be X| 03/17
  

• 03/20Cannot/Desire/Need to be X | 03/24
  

• 03/27Marry and Merry Thereafter?| 03/31
  

• 04/03Performing One's Gender| 04/07
  

• 04/20 No Class: Start Working On Your Own Paper| Optional: Paper Outline (In Any Form That Suits You) by 04/21 for Feedback
  

• 04/24Student Presentation: Research Presentation/Talk
  

• 05/01Student Presentation: Research Presentation/Talk
  

• 05/08Student Presentation: Research Presentation/Talk| Optional: Draft Paper by 05/12 for Feedback
  

• 05/15Student Presentation: Research Presentation/Talk| Final Paper by 05/19
  

<<On Daily Reading and Journaling>>

• Try and read all the assigned/required reading per class day  and
  

• write a well-condensed and composed (no rambling or waffling, please) journal either
  

• combining all/any of the readings or doing an in-depth analysis of one text (or chapter) of your choice. 
  

Examples from Student Submissions

Journals on "The Personal is Theoretical?"; Theoretical is Scientific?; "Naming Opression and Position":

These examples are quite extensive, and you should aim for a shorter version of the comparable level of analytic and critical reading.

Examples from Professional Philosophers' Publications

Douglas Kellner, Virilio, "War, and Technology: Some Critical Reflections"

Study especially the first few paragraphs to see how the terms and frames of arguments are formed with all the key references in place.

Your academic journal (not a diary) should be a miniature/compressed version of such articles.

Grading Scale

97- A+

93- A

90- A-

87- B+

83- B

80- B-

77- C+

73- C

70- C-

67- D+

63- D

60- D-

Below 60 F (Fail)

Grade A: Mastery of the issues and literature, and an ability to make some original contribution.

Grade B: Good grasp of issues and literature, but little or no attempt at own contribution.

Grade C: Some but uncertain grasp of the issues.

Grade D: Failure to grasp issues but some attempt made.

Grade F: Not even trying.

[I have borrowed this description of the evaluation criteria from the standardized syllabi used in NYU in London, England, UK.]

100 points system is used.

• Grades are unnegotiable, unless there is a clerical error.
  

• All the grades up to the final exam or paper are calculated numerically in order to give each student maximum opportunities to recuperate, and also to evaluate more accurately the learning process and incremental achievements.
  

• At the end, the numeric total will be converted to the corresponding letter grade.
  

Course Requirements and Evaluation Criteria

Attending (10 points)

• Up to 2 absences are allowed with no penalties and 100 % attendance is rewarded with 3 extra points (13 points); save/use those for occasional medical/personal/family emergencies, accidents, mood swings, heart-breaks, personal rainy days, etc. No need to contact me about such in advance. Save your time otherwise.    
  

• From the 3rd absence, you lose 3 points per class missed. Only upon providing an official document explaining/justifying your absence, e.g., the doctor's note, your absence will be given a special consideration and possibly excused. If the total number of absences exceeds 50% of class days, you fail the class.  If necessary, submit by email/post/in person a relevant document after such extra absences (i.e., beyond 3, noted above) occurred. Again, there is no need to contact me beforehand, and just submit an official record later, which is all we need. 
  

• Lateness causes disruption and affects your own learning process: late counts as half-absent (1.5 points deducted where applicable). 
  

Preparing/Presenting/Participating (30 points)

• Preparation (20 points): Your knowledge of the reading material for each day will be constantly, individually and randomly checked. The result will be assessed and logged daily. This functions as a loose form of daily quiz; if you get "caught" unprepared, you lose points. 
  

• Presentation (5 points): At least 1 presentation required, upto 2 allowed if no one else volunteeres; each maximum 5 points.
  

• Participation (5 points): Active and meaningful participation in classroom discussion is not an option but a requirement.
  

Writing (60 points): turnitin.com| Class ID: 14593448| Password: madness

• submission through turnitin.com only: no email submission accepted or acknowledged.
  

• 5 Journals (20 points, each 4 points): Each minimum 700 words on class readings and those only. Each must clearly contain:
  

• a succinct summary of the reading material
  

• a critical response to or close analysis of any crucial passage(s) which should also be clearly cited, and
  

• a conclusive elaboration of the significance of the topic and the passage(s) under discussion.
  

• Any entry lacking in any of the above three elements receives a zero point: fail (0 pt); pass (2 pt); good (4 pt)
  

• 5 journals are required.
  

• If you submit more than 5 ournals, those extra submissions will receive extra credits, each up to 2 pt.   
  

• The grade & feedback for each journal submission will appear directly on your account on turnitin.com.
  

• 1 Paper (40 points): The final paper of minimum 4,000 words must clearly contain:
  

• Topic: any figure/topic of your choice from the textbook(s) or classroom discussions
  

• Primary Source: textbook(s)
  

• Outside Sources: print or internet-based, in any combination, up to 10; any reference, whether a url, a chapter, or a book, counts as 1.
  

• Bibliographic Format: any standard academic style such as APA/Chicago/MLA
  

• See Grading Rubric  And Refer to John Jay Writing Center Referral Form In Order Not to Be Referred To.
  

• The submission deadline is firm. For each calendar day day missed, 2 points will be deducted.
  

• Strongly Recommendable Reference: They Say/I Say: Moves That Matter in Academic Writing with Readings
  

Statement of College Policy on Plagiarism

"Plagiarism is the presentation of someone else‘s ideas, words, or artistic, scientific, or technical work as one‘s own creation. Using the ideas or work of another is permissible only when the original author is identified. Paraphrasing and summarizing, as well as direct quotations, require citations to the original source. Plagiarism may be intentional or unintentional. Lack of dishonest intent does not necessarily absolve a student of responsibility for plagiarism. It is the student‘s responsibility to recognize the difference between statements that are common knowledge (which do not require documentation) and restatements of the ideas of others. Paraphrase, summary, and direct quotation are acceptable forms of restatement, as long as the source is cited. Students who are unsure how and when to provide documentation are advised to consult with their instructors. The Library has free guides designed to help students with problems of documentation." (From the John Jay College of Criminal Justice Undergraduate Bulletin, p. 36)

Should plagiarism be determined, a formal disciplinary action will be taken immediately: the student in question will receive an F grade for the course.

Accommodation of Religious Observances

Upon request, academic accommodations for a religious observance are available on an individual basis; by the end of the second week, please provide me with a supplementary document that specifies and verifies your context and needs for modification.

Accommodation of Documented Disabilities

Please contact me within the first two weeks of the semester. An appropriate, case-by-case arrangement will be made to ensure that the student in question is given an equal opportunity for learning.

Any questions about the basic details already specified on the syllabus here will be disregarded.

BACK TO INDEX