Gender Studies

Background:
Over the next week, we will enter into a discussion about gender: how it is culturally constructed, the different characteristics associated with each gender, and the power structure reflected in, and reinforced by, these stereotypes.  Below is the gender essay prompt that will reappear for this week’s timed essay.  Have this prompt in mind as you gather your information this week from assigned readings and viewings.

Prompt:
In a 3-5 page essay, analyze an image that reinforces gender stereotypes, challenges gender stereotypes, or perhaps both reinforces and challenges gender stereotypes.(This image can be from a magazine, an advertisement, online–what’s important is that it is a still image that speaks in some way to gender/gender roles.)

Helpful terms:
Culture: learned behavior.

Sex: biological category of male or female based on reproductive functions.

Gender: culturally assigned category that refers to the various qualities, traits, and characteristics associated with femininity and masculinity within a particular culture.

Gender role: the role or behavior learned by a person as appropriate to their gender, determined by the prevailing cultural norms (gender roles reflect cultural values rather than natural facts).

Criteria for Success:
In addition to meeting the essay grading criteria described in your syllabus, a successful paper will:

Integrate a MINIMUM OF 3 citations from ASSIGNED reading/viewing within your essay through quoting, paraphrasing, and other references using MLA format.
Include works cited page for all outside sources.
Contain an effective thesis that conveys your main idea(s).
Include a thoughtful discussion about gender construction, and how gender construction has affected you. Base your ideas on your experiences, ideas from the texts and your responses to them, and classroom discussion.
Contain well-coordinated sentences that demonstrate the relationship between ideas.
Aim for the equivalent of 3-5 pages typed, double-spaced, 12 point font (in other words, MLA format).
INCLUDES IMAGE that you will analyze within your essay.
Have a thoughtful title.