9170_SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION OF GENDER

INTRODUCTION OF THE COURSE
Dear Students,
Welcome to the course social construction of Gender (9170). This 3 credit hour
course comprises of nine units. This study guide introduces and familiarizes you to
the core concepts of the course as it is designed to raise the consciousness of
students to the nature of gender as a social construct. Rather than understanding
gender in terms of fixed dichotomies (e.g., male/female, masculinity/femininity),
feminist and social scientist see it as a complex social phenomenon that changes
over time and varies across cultures. This means that the course explores the ways
in which gender conceptualized as a social construct viewing it not as a fixed or
static identity but as a product that is constructed and performed in interaction.
Course focuses on sociological theories related to gender construction in
sociocultural context to show how gender arises out of our everyday interactions
and is shaped by different domains of social life.
These units begin by introducing some conceptual and theoretical tools for
understanding gender issues and critically examine the idea that sex and gender are
fixed biological realities and discuss gender as a major organizing aspect of society.
In addition, the course will present certain discourses and institutions like language,
gender roles, patriarchy, gendered division of work, body image and media play its
parts in social construction of gender.