Mar 28, 2024  
College Catalog 2021-2022 
    
College Catalog 2021-2022 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

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PSYC 2550 - Psychology of Gender

Credit Hours: 3.00


Prerequisites: PSYC 1010  

PSYC 2550 explores psychological theories and research related to gender issues. Topics include the nature and meaning of gender, gender roles, sex similarities and differences, stereotypes, and gender issues in various aspects of the human experience including interpersonal relationships, mental and physical health, sexuality, and work.

Billable Contact Hours: 3

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OUTCOMES AND OBJECTIVES
Outcome 1: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of research approaches to the psychological study of gender.

Objectives:

  1. Describe and distinguish between qualitative and quantitative research methods.
  2. Identify potential sources of bias at each step in the research process.

Outcome 2: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to describe the contribution of various psychological perspectives and theories to our understanding of gender.

  1. Compare and contrast the psychodynamic, social learning, and cognitive approaches to gender.
  2. Describe the process of gender identity development.
  3. Identify the biological and social factors that contribute to gender development.
  4. Describe cultural variations in gender role definitions and attitudes.

Outcome 3: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of the development and impact of gender stereotypes.

Objectives:

  1. Describe the historical origins of gender stereotypes.
  2. Describe the formation and function of gender stereotypes.
  3. Describe cultural influences and variations in gender stereotypes.
  4. Describe the individual and social effects of gender stereotypes.

Outcome 4: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of gender issues with regard to cognitive ability.

Objectives:

  1. Compare and contrast popular conceptions and key research findings comparing males and females in cognitive ability.
  2. Describe the practical significance and implications of differences and perceptions of differences.

Outcome 5: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of gender issues in interpersonal relationships.

Objectives:

  1. Describe similarities and differences in the ways interpersonal relationships are experienced by men and women.
  2. Describe the connection between gender and power in relationships.

Outcome 6: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of gender issues in mental and physical health.

Objectives:

  1. Describe gender similarities and differences in health and fitness.
  2. Describe gender issues in access and utilization of medical care.
  3. Describe similarities and differences in men’s and women’s sources of stress and coping resources and strategies.
  4. Identify gender issues in the diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders.

Outcome 7: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of gender issues in sexual attitudes and behavior.

Objectives:

  1. Compare and contrast the physiology of male and female sexual responses.
  2. Describe and critique methods for studying human sexual attitudes and behavior.
  3. Describe the development of sexual orientation.
  4. Identify issues and controversies in the concept of sexual orientation.
  5. Describe cultural variations in accepted sexual attitudes and behaviors.

Outcome 8: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of gender issues in the workplace.

Objectives:

  1. List and describe sex similarities and differences in career expectations and opportunities.
  2. Identify the factors that contribute to differences in men’s and women’s careers and rewards at work.
  3. Describe the relationships among sexuality, power, and sexual harassment in the workplace.
  4. Describe the impact of sexual harassment in the workplace.
  5. Identify barriers to workplace diversity.

COMMON DEGREE OUTCOMES (CDO)
• Communication: The graduate can communicate effectively for the intended purpose and audience.
• Critical Thinking: The graduate can make informed decisions after analyzing information or evidence related to the issue.
• Global Literacy: The graduate can analyze human behavior or experiences through cultural, social, political, or economic perspectives.
• Information Literacy: The graduate can responsibly use information gathered from a variety of formats in order to complete a task.
• Quantitative Reasoning: The graduate can apply quantitative methods or evidence to solve problems or make judgments.
• Scientific Literacy: The graduate can produce or interpret scientific information presented in a variety of formats.

CDO marked YES apply to this course:
Communication: YES
Critical Thinking: YES
Global Literacy: YES
Information Literacy: YES
COURSE CONTENT OUTLINE

  1. Studying sex and gender in psychology
    1. History and issues in the study of sex and gender in psychology
    2. Approaches to research
      1. Qualitative and quantitative methods
    3. Sources of bias in gender research
  2. Gender stereotypes
    1. Origin of stereotypes
    2. Development and implications of stereotypes
  3. Theories of gender development
    1. Psychodynamic approach
    2. Social Learning theory
    3. Cognitive theories
      1. Cognitive developmental theory
      2. Gender schema theory
  4. Development of gender identity
    1. Influences on gender identity development
      1. Biological factors and gender development
      2. Family and peer influences on gender development
      3. Media and cultural influences on gender development
  5. Intelligence and cognitive abilities
    1. Sources of identified differences
    2. Implications of gender differences
  6. Interpersonal relationships
    1. Friendship
    2. Love relationships
  7. Sexuality
    1. The study of sexuality
    2. Heterosexuality
    3. Homosexuality
    4. Bisexuality
  8. Careers and work
    1. Career expectations and gender stereotypes
    2. Career opportunities
    3. Gender issues at work
      1. Gender segregation
      2. Communication and power
      3. Sexual harassment
  9. Health and fitness
    1. Mortality
    2. The health care system
    3. Gender, lifestyle, health and fitness
  10. Stress and coping
    1. Sources of stress for men and women
    2. Comparison of coping resources and strategies used by men and women
  11. Psychopathology
    1. Gender issues in the diagnosis of psychological disorders
    2. Gender comparisons in depression, substance abuse, anxiety, and other disorders.
    3. Gender issues in therapy
      1. Feminist therapy
      2. Therapy with men
      3. Gender‐sensitive therapies
  12. Cross‐cultural issues and gender
    1. Interaction between ethnic and gender stereotypes
    2. Cultural influences and variation in sex stereotypes
    3. Cultural variations in gender role definitions and attitudes
    4. Cultural variations in accepted sexual attitudes and behaviors.

Primary Faculty
Willard-Yakushev, Autumn
Secondary Faculty
Bajdo, Linda
Associate Dean
Williams-Chehmani, Angie
Dean
Pritchett, Marie



Official Course Syllabus - Macomb Community College, 14500 E 12 Mile Road, Warren, MI 48088



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