Overview
WGST 320 aims to provide students with a deeper understanding of the ways in which gender is central to and shapes contemporary North American society. The starting point of the course is that gender is socially constructed, not based in biology as commonly believed. Concepts such as doing gender and gender performance are central to the course. Students will engage with poststructuralist, postmodern, feminist, and queer theory in order to critically examine not only gender norms but resistance and challenges to these norms. Feminine, masculine, queer, and transgender bodies will be studied in a variety of domestic, educational, and social contexts. The intersection of gender and sexuality with other social categories, including race and ability, will also be discussed.
Outline
- Unit 1: The Social Construction of Gender
- Unit 2: Children and Youth Perform Gender
- Unit 3: Performing Femininities
- Unit 4: Performing Masculinities
- Unit 5: Gender and Disability
- Unit 6: Gender Trouble
Each unit consists of a list of learning objectives; a list of unit activities, which includes assigned readings and video lectures; a critical reflection exercise; a self-test; and a list of references and supplementary materials.
Learning outcomes
After completing WGST 320 you should be able to
- identify problems with the “nature vs. nurture” debate;
- explain how gender is socially constructed using feminist, postmodern, and queer theories;
- provide examples of how feminine and masculine bodies can reinforce but also challenge gender norms;
- recognize and explain how gender intersects with other social categories, including race and ability; and
- provide examples of how queer and transgender bodies challenge heteronormativity.
Evaluation
To receive credit for WGST 320, you must achieve a course composite grade of at least D (50 percent). The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:
| Activity | Weight | Complete by |
| Oral Review | 20% | After Unit 1 |
| Critical Reflection 2A | 10% | After Unit 2 |
| Critical Reflection 2B | 10% | After Unit 4 |
| Research Essay Proposal | 10% | After Unit 4 |
| Critical Reflection 2C | 10% | After Unit 6 |
| Research Essay | 40% | After Unit 6 |
| Total | 100% | |
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.
Materials
Physical course materials
The following course materials are included in a course package that will be shipped to your home prior to your course’s start date:
Lorber, J., & Moore, L. J. (2011). Gendered bodies: Feminist perspectives. (2nd ed.) New York: Oxford University Press.
Other Materials
All other course materials, including the online study guide, required readings and video lectures, are available on your course website.
Challenge for credit
Overview
The challenge for credit process allows you to demonstrate that you have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university-level course.
Full information about challenge for credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Evaluation
To receive credit for the WGST 320 challenge registration, you must complete all four essays and achieve a composite grade of D (50 percent) or higher on the challenge assignment. Credit will be awarded as either a pass or a fail.
Challenge for credit course registration form