San Jose State University Theories of Gender Difference Paper

Assignment Description: Gender Ideology Analysis Assignment Description

200 points

Assignment Objectives:

In this assignment, the student will be able to:

explore the nature and significance of gender ideology historically, socially, and politically in constructing our identities.

evaluate and critique theories of gender difference.

take the perspective of another “gender” and compare it with one’s own gendered identity.

Assignment Parameters:

Your assignment is to engage in an analysis of gender ideology and gender identity in terms of the concepts that we have learned in class thus far. In addition, you are to research and explore the gendered perspective, identity, and ideology of someone of a different gender than you (e.g., male, female, transgender). This analysis assignment is divided into four major sections. This paper should be between 8-10 typed, double-spaced pages, and must be turned in at the beginning of the class in which it is due (no email submissions).

For your analysis, include the following sections (in this specific order):

A Critique of the Theories of Gender Difference

Introduce your paper by first defining gender in your own words. Then, evaluate and critique the different theories of gender difference that we learned in class. You must present your stance on at least 3 different theories. Compare and contrast these theories and present your evaluation on which theory seems to hold the most credibility and value. Use the following questions to guide you:          (2 pages)

Which theory of gender difference seems most credible? Why? How so?

What do these theories assume about human nature, gender difference, and gender and power? Why? How so?

What are the main differences between these theories? On what basis?

What are the similarities between these theories? Are these theories ontologically compatible?

What role do these theories play? Or why do we need these theories? What function do they serve?

Who is empowered and disempowered by these theories? Why? How so?

How are these theories useful? And on the other hand, how are these theories dangerous? Why? How so?

In this section, provide examples. Present justified arguments. Refer to course material for support. Do not quote-stream; paraphrase and discuss these concepts as you see them.

The Nature of Gender Ideology and Identity:

Second, define in your own words, the relationship between gender ideology, gender identity, and communication. Make sure that you clearly discuss each of these concepts in terms of how they interrelate and the different functions/roles of each concept. Provide examples. Present justified arguments. Refer to course material for support. Do not quote-stream; paraphrase and discuss these concepts as you see them (1-2 pages).

Exploring a Different Gender View/Ideology:

Next, present an analysis of the perspective and gender identity of someone of a different gender than you. For example, if you are a male, analysis the gendered perspective and identity of a female or a transgendered individual; if you are a female, analysis the gendered perspective and identity of a male or a transgendered individual. In this analysis, you should incorporate knowledge from at least 2 scholarly book/article sources and 1 brief informal interview with a person of a different gender. You must cite the scholarly sources in the text of the paper and include examples from your interview. Your goal is to explore a different gender’s perspective as compared to that of you and to examine the type of gender ideology and gender identity that person has grown up with, internalized, and or resisted. Use the following questions to guide your analysis in this section from the scholarly sources and interview:  (2-3 pages)

How does someone of a different gender see society? What are their goals and priorities?

• What is the gender ideology of the gender you are focusing on? What beliefs, assumptions, expectations, and social roles does this entail?
• How did the gender you are focusing on invoke, negotiate, or resist the gender ideology and expectations he/she/cross-gendered person grow up with? How so?
• How was the gender identity of the gender you are focusing on formed (e.g., through the media, education, family life, societal examples, military)?

How does this gender identity affect how this gender communicates? What function does such communication serve?

How does your gender ideology and identity differ from that of the gender you are focusing on. What are the meaningful differences and similarities? What do these differences and similarities reveal about gender socialization and gender hierarchies of power?

Conclusion:

• End your essay by discussing the limitations of the concept of gender ideology. What important social and political factors are not discussed by this theoretical concept? What is left out from the larger picture of gender relations by this concept? How would you revise the theoretical concept of gender ideology, without taking away its basic assumption that gender is constructed to serve power and create power hierarchies? Explain and present cogent arguments. (1-2 pages)

Use APA format to cite the course readings that you discuss in this paper (See APA Style Guide in packet). Include a reference page in APA style and cite your different kind of sources.

My Criteria: In addition to the grading sheet, below is a list of what I am looking for in this assignment:

1. *Analysis: Thorough and thought-provoking analysis of gender and communication in relation to course concepts. Deep analysis should a) incorporate and discuss course concepts/readings/exercises in relation to the notions of gender, power, and communication and b) continually answer the How (i.e., How concepts are related to one another?) and Why (i.e., What are the reasons for this ____?) in this assignment.

*Going Beyond The Surface: Moving beyond just cutting and pasting concepts onto your analysis to thoroughly examining the assumptions behind concepts/statements (exploring the hidden, deeper, and complex issues). Create unique arguments (ones not merely offered in class or the readings) that display how you have independently re-thought this material.