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: Mondays 1230pm-230pm
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 
  • Readings web-linked or pdf downloadable from the class schedule page: a responsible use of electronic devices in class permitted. 

Monday Class Meeting Schedule| Writing Submission Due on Friday of Each Class Week
  • 02/01  First Day
  • 02/08  Sex-Gender-Identity-Sexuality| Submit Journal re Sex-Gender-Identity-Sexuality by 02/12, 11:59pm| Examples (pass)
  • 02/22  The Personal is Theoretical?| Submit Journal re Personal & Theoretical by 02/26, 11:59pm
  • 02/29  The Theoretical is Scientific?| Submit Journal re Theoretical & Scientific by 03/04, 11:59pm
  • 03/07  Personal, Theoretical, Differential| Submit Journal re Personal-Theoretical-Differential by 03/11, 11:59pm
  • 03/14-16Mid-semester Writing Week: Start Working on Your Paper. No Class| Submit Paper Outline by 03/18, 11:59pm
  • 03/21  Coming to Be X| Submit Journal re Coming to be X by 03/25, 11:59pm
  • 03/28  Cannot/Desire/Need to be X | Submit Journal re Cannot-Desire-Need-to be X by 04/01, 11:59pm
  • 04/04  Marry and Merry Thereafter?| Submit Journal re Mary and Merry Thereafter by 04/08, 11:59pm
  • 04/11   Performing One's Gender| Submit Journal re Performing One's Gender by 04/15, 11:59pm
  • 04/18   Dr. Lee's Writing Clinic Or Film (tbd)
  • 05/09  Writing Workshop/Student Presentations| (Optional: Submit Draft Paper by 05/13, 11:59pm, My Feedback by 05/16)
  • 05/16  Writing Workshop/Student Presentations| Submit Final Paper by 05/20, 11:59pm

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: 11871844| 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 be emailed to the address you used for 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
  • The submission deadline is firm. For each calendar day day missed, 2 points will be deducted.

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.

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