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 (Before or After Class)
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 
  • Selected readings and audio-visual materials, all web-linked or pdf downloadable from the class schedule page.
  • Each day of the class, you must bring a hard copy of the listed reading material or at least the electronic file** in question. Those not in posession of the class material in any readable form are considered unprepared and thus will be noted negatively.
  • **In-class use of a laptop or any portable electronic devices where the reading file is stored, is allowed, provided that you use this "wireless" freedom responsibly by limiting your online activities strictly to the classroom material; emailing, face-booking, texting, surfing, shopping, gaming, etc., all these extracurricular activities are strictly prohibited during the classtime. The violation of this code of conduct, any form of idle abuse of classtime, will be regarded as a serious offence and the student in question will be immediately evicted from the classroom, which will then be counted as an unexcused absence. 

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.
  • The numeric total will simply be converted to the corresponding letter grade. Therefore, there is very little reason either to rejoice or to despair at any stage of following the course. Just keep putting coins in the piggy bank, and your consistent and overall efforts will be justly rewarded: you reap what you sow, no less, no more.

Course Requirements and Evaluation Criteria
Attending (up to 10 points): Use Your Rainy Day Extremely Sparingly.
  • No make-up for any missed appointment, unless it is caused by the instructor; priority is given to those already on schedule. 
  • Up to 2 absences are allowed with no penalties incurred: there's no need for you to explain or email about your absences.
  • For the 3rd absence, you lose 3 points, and for the 4th point, another 3 points. After the 5th absence, 1 full alphabetical grade drops automatically per class missed, e.g., from A to B, down to F.
  • Lateness causes disruption in class and affects your own learning process; from the 3rd time of lateness, 1 point deducted each time.
Preparing/Participating/Presenting (up to 40 points): Remember Your 3Ps and Have a Less Lonely College Life. 
  • Preparatory reading, along with participation in classroom discussion, is required. It is not an option: a failure to meet the expected standards, more than twice, will affect the grades negatively: see below the task of everyday journaling.  
  • Presentation, although optional, is strongly encouraged: each presentation counts up to 5 points and every student will be given an opportunity to present.
Writing (up to 50 points): turnitin.com-submit (id: 4800704/login:madness) A Portfolio of 5 Journals & 1 Paper by May 17, 2012.
  • (20 pts) Five Journals: each 700-800 words, maximum 1,000 words, each journal counts up to 4 pts. Every class day, there will be at least one assigned reading, and you are required to keep a record of your reflections on, questions about, and criticism of the classroom material before class. (Journals are not class notes and class notes are for your own personal use and for your paper writing.) Each day of class, there will be a spot and random check of your journal: you should be in posession of such documented evidence of study in some form, i.e., your journal in hard copy, on your laptop, on any other mobile computational devices, or even in your braincells if you can reproduce flawlessly in one solid paragraph your feedback on the material. No rambling or ad hoc footnoting will be kindly accepted or positively registered. You will be asked to read out a portion of your journal or summarize it as a way to contribute to the classroom discussion meaningfully. It is therefore imperative that you come prepared, "bringing" your journal to every class meeting, in analogue or digital form. On the last day of the class, along with the final paper (see below), submit ten journal entries that best demonstrate such regular work of yours throughout the course. If you wish to receive written feedback on your journal draft, submit two samples by 2/23 (no class that day) for feedback by 3/1; no late submission accepted. The grading scale is 4-1: Check+ is 4 pts/Check(+) is 3.5/Check is 3/Check(-) is 2/Check- is 1.   
  • (30 pts) One Research Paper of 4,000-5,000 words, maximum 7,000 words, using MLA style. Choose any topic/theme from the class material and write one satisfyingly substantial and well-crafted research paper. Towards the middle of the semester, you will have an opportunity to discuss paper ideas with me in person. Once you start writing your paper, you will have an ample chance to revise your drafts and thoughts during the semester, for the paper grades will only be indicated but not be finalized until the last day, when all the written assignments are due. If you prefer, you can write 2 short papers, each 2,000-2,500 words, which is entirely fine and up to you, as long as the total combined number is no less than 4,000. If you wish to receive written feedback on your paper proposal/out/draft, submit the draft material by 4/17 (no class that day) for feedback by 5/1; no late submission accepted.
Each paper should be word-processed, double-spaced, and contain all of the following in the following order:
@ Abstract of your thesis: approx. 200 words
@ Table of contents
@ Introduction (where a brief review of key literature is incorporated.)  
@ Main Body of the Text
@ Conclusion
@ Bibliography: MLA style 
  • Portfolio: all-in-one master file containing all the entries above; no multiple, serial, or fragmented submission accepted. 
  • The submission deadline is firm. For each calendar day day missed, 2 points will be deducted.
  • Regularly and frequently throughout the course, students will have a chance to receive live feedback on their drafts and the grade for the writing component will be determined solely on the basis of the final draft of the portfolio.  

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.

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