2009 Fall WOMENST 49S-02
Bulletin Course Description New concepts and themes in gender and feminist studies. Topics may vary each semester. Instructor: Staff
(Instructor named in bulletin description above may not be current. For current instructor, see listing below.)
Title FIRST YEAR SEMINAR Department WOMENST Course Number 2009 Fall 49S Section Number 02 Primary Instructor Lisker,Donna Prerequisites
Synopsis of course content
This course examines two major facets of gender and sports in contemporary America: the actual and representational. In the first facet we’ll look at the literal participation of men and women in athletics. Do men and women (boys and girls) choose different sports? How are their choices conditioned by social conventions of masculinity and femininity? What difference does physical difference make? How have legislative mandates such as Title IX changed the face of sports in America? What opportunities exist for further change? Students will examine the ethical and political debate revolving around this issue from the 19th century into the 21st century.
The second facet moves away from literal participation of individuals to representation of men and women in sports. We will examine films and fictional depictions of men’s and women’s athletic endeavors as well as media coverage of professional and collegiate athletes. Using a gendered analysis, we will explore how authors and directors draw on or refute stereotypes of masculinity and femininity. Ultimately, we will circle back to our earlier discussions of participation, thinking through how media and fictional depictions of athletes influence and direct budding athletes.
Textbooks
Messner, Michael. Taking the Field: Women, Men, and Sports. Minneapolis: U of Minnesota Press, 2002.
Cahn, Susan. Coming on Strong: Gender and Sexuality in Twentieth-Century Women’s Sport. Cambridge: Harvard UP, 1995
We will also read a large number of articles and book excerpts.
Assignments
Students will write weekly 1-2 page journal entries in response to class readings and discussions.
Students will be required to lead class discussion in small groups and make presentations on their research papers.
Assignments can be found on the course Blackboard page.
Exams
There will be an in-class midterm examination
Term Papers
There will be a final research 10-15 page research paper.
Grade to be based on
Attendance and participation 20%
Weekly journal entries 30%
Midterm exam 20%
In-class presentations 10%
Final paper 20%
