Getting to Know the Sexes: Genderly Speaking

Week 1:

Quick list of expectations:
-I took a psych of gender class last year with Dr. Platt (I don't think she is at JC anymore). This class focused on the social construct of gender from a psycholological perspective. We worked with real world case studies on controversial topics, questioned the social norms on a daily basis, and even pushed the limits of our classmates with differing opinions. I chose this class as a balance from PY399. I also hope to have to opportunity to investigate these topics but in a different light. And of course, I am ready to respectfully hear others' opinions.
-I expect to read, research, and write a lot.
-I expect to question my personal beliefs based on academic literature we read and intelligent conversation we have within the classroom.
- I expect to forget to keep up with this blog.
- I expect people to be disgusted with me constantly comparing everything to Latin America.
- I expect to love every minute of this class (ok, well within reason).

In class last week, we discussed the fundamental differences between sex and gender, social construction (of knowledge) and essentialism, and a few other key terms we will use daily in this course. I am most exicted for this class, because I recognize these terms from Psychology of Gender, but in a different context. We had an open discussion about how to have a respectful and open discussion in this class. We have to be sensitive of each others' opinions. We all have different experiences and backgrounds; no one is ever wrong. Nothing is black and white. Just from the introductions of how people spent their summer months, you can see how diverse our class is. Regardless, I think this class will be intriguing.