Introduction to Gender Systems (SOAN*2400)

Code and section: SOAN*2400*01

Term: Fall 2025

Instructor: Julia Linares-Roake

Details

SOAN*2400 – Introduction to Gender Systems

Fall 2025

University of Guelph – Department of Sociology and Anthropology

 

Instructor:                 Instructor Julia Linares-Roake

Class Location:         LA 204

Class Time:                Tues/Thurs 5:30pm – 6:50pm

Contact:                     linaresj@uoguelph.ca

Office Hours:             By appointment via Zoom or Microsoft Teams

Course Description:

Together, we will examine the ways in which gender shapes and is shaped by internal and external systems. We'll think about and discuss different ways of conceptualizing gender, like the social construction of gender, how we embody gender, and critical ways to think about how gender is impacted and impacts our other identities. By the end of this course, we should have a working knowledge of how gender operates within different systems (e.g., family, workplace, education, state), how we do gender across different social roles, and some of the local and international history that has shaped our understanding of gender. 

Student Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this semester, successful learners should be able to:

  1. Define different ways of conceptualizing gendered and sexual experiences
  2. Critically analyze the intersections of gender, culture, race, ability and class
  3. Engage in critical thinking around the social world, and reflect on past, current, and future means of addressing gendered and structural inequality.
  4. Develop skills in effective collaborative and participatory work.
  5. Develop critical reading and writing skills.

Format of Delivery:

The majority of this course will take place in person and is composed of three “units”. Each unit includes one asynchronous workdays where we will not meet, but instead will complete exercises for participation credit. Units One and Two will also end with an exam (50 multiple choice and two short answer questions). There will be no class on exam days, however, I will hold virtual office hours during class time should any questions come up.

In person participation is a required component of this course, and you will be required to document your participation at the end of each of the three units. It is important that you engage with course materials both inside and out of class, and you should come prepared to engage weekly through online discussion posts, small group and large group discussions, and/or individual reflections.

Timeline:

  • Unit One: Sept. 4th – Oct. 8th
  • Unit Two: Oct. 9th – Nov. 12th
  • Final Weeks: Nov 13th – Nov. 28th

Participation Logs and Unit Exams (MC/SA) due on the last day of the unit. There will be no Unit Exam for the last unit. The final project will be in December (Date TBA), and there will be one guest lecture question/response per unit.

Evaluation Scheme (Subject to Modification):

Assessment

% of Final

Participation Logs Unit 1, 2, and Final Weeks (10% x 2 units; 5% x Final Unit)

25%

Guest Lecture Questions and Responses (2.5% x 2)

5%

Multiple Choice Unit One and Two Exams (15% x 2)

30%

Short Answer Unit One and Two Exams (10% x 2)

20%

Digital Storytelling Project (Story Rationale, 5%; Final Project, 15%)

20%

Total

100%

Required Readings:

The primary required textbook for the course is:

Wade, Lisa, and Myra Marx Ferree. 2022. Gender: Ideas, Interactions, Institutions 3rd edition. New York: W.W. Norton & Company.

 

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