Topic: Intersex: Biology & Gender
| Time | Days | Location | Instructor | GER | Credit | OPUS Class Number | Syllabus (Tentative) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
10:00am-11:15am | TuTh | 1462 Clifton Rd 126 | Marsteller, Patricia. Freeman, Sara. | 4 | 2136 | TBA. |
Same as SOC 389 001 and WGS 385.
Fulfills WGSS Cluster 3 - Bodies, Sexualities, Science, and Health.
Intersex is defined as the presence of intermediate or atypical combinations of physical features that usually distinguish female from male, and conservative statistics estimate that it affects 1 in every 2,000 babies born in the United States. Despite the fact that many of the biological causes for intersex are well-described, there remains a considerable lack of social awareness and understanding of intersexuality. This class is an introduction to both the developmental biology and the sociology of intersex in humans. Topics will include: chromosomal biology, sexual differentiation, endocrinology, and anatomy, as well as the social issues related to intersex, such as the social construction of gender, the role of gender in our society, and relevant legal and ethical issues for the intersex community.
This class originates in the Biology Department and may be taken as a biology elective.
Required Textbooks, Articles, and Resources
- Sexing the Body: Gender Politics and the Construction of Sexuality (Perusus Book Group). ISBN: 9780465077144 .
- Lessons From the Intersexed (Rutgers Univ. Press). ISBN: 9780813525303.
- Gender: The Geneology of an Idea (Palgrave MacMillan). ISBN: 9780230608276.
Grading
| Assignment/Exam | Details | % of Total Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Grades | Grades will be based on in-class activities and short take-home writing assignments, plus one final research paper and class presentation on a topic of your choice. |
The schedule of courses on O.P.U.S. is the official listing of courses, including days and times they meet and the General Education Requirements they satisfy. Students should use course descriptions as general guidelines. Course requirements, grading details, book lists, and syllabi are subject to change.