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Do We Still Need Feminism?

12th Grade elective

Homework assignments are in bold.

I. Sex and Gender: Is Biology Destiny?

IN CLASS: Defining Sex and Gender—Nature vs. Culture

Assignment 1: (1/31) Current Event.  Bring in a current event article that deals with a gender issue affecting men or women or both.  Summarize the article and relate it to the nature-culture debate.

Assignment 2: (2/1) Read “The Trouble With Boys,” photocopy, pp. 18-12.  ANSWER the following questions in your own words:

  • Chart the differences described between boys and girls.

 

  • According to the article, what causes these differences?
     
  • Do you agree with the article’s findings?

IN CLASS: “The Difference Between Boys and Girls,” photocopy, pp. 13-15.  Read the attached article and consider the same questions as above.

IN CLASS: Cross-Cultural Gender Roles.  READ the selection on “New World Women,” photocopy, pp. 22-34.  For each group (Native American, Southern, and African) note the attitudes towards sex, work, and family.

Response Paper 1: (Due 2/8).  Using the class readings and discussions so far, write 1-2 pages on the following question: Are gender roles the natural outcome of biological differences between men and women, or are they more a result of cultural attitudes and values?

II. “Remember the Ladies”: Politics

IN CLASS: Letters Between John and Abigail Adams.  READ the attached letters.  What did Abigail want?  What was John’s response?  How does gender get reflected in government?

A. Gender and Citizenship

IN CLASS: Symposium--Dimensions of Citizenship (see attached sheet)

  • What is a citizen?  What distinguishes a citizen from a non-citizen?
  • What is required to be a citizen?
  • How has gender factored into our notions of citizenship?  Does it still?

Assignment 3: (Due 2/12) Women and the Vote.  Read in the blue photocopy, pp. 46-7 and 67-8.  Answer the following in a paragraph or two.  To be collected.  15 points.

What were the arguments in favor? Do you agree that female leaders approach politics differently than men?  Explain.

IN CLASS: Video: One Woman One Vote

IN CLASS: Behind Every Great Man... (photocopy, pp. 57-60)

B. Gender and Education

IN CLASS: Historical veiws of female education (photocopy, 69-72)

 

Assignment 4: (Due 2/20) Current debates on gender and education.  Read "Shortchanging Girls, Shortchanging America" in photocopy, pp. 61-68.  Answer the following questions in your own words:

1. List the disparities bewteen boys and girls identified in the article.

2. How were these disparities interpreted in the study?

3. Are the study's findings consistent with your experiences/observations in the classroom? Explain.

4.  Be prepared to discuss this article in light of our previous discussion of "The Trouble with Boys."  Is there gender bias (against boys or girls) in American education?

Response Paper 2: (Due 2/21).  Using the class readings and discussions so far, write 1-2 pages on the following question: Have women achieved equal citizenship?  In your opinion, what elements are most important to ensure equal citizenship status?  Explain with examples.