CLINTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Plattsburgh, N.Y. 12901

Psychology of Women, Spring 2007

Psy260 01c

Instructor: June Foley

Office: 532

Phone: 562-4177

Office Hours: Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 1-2:00 pm; Tuesday, Thursday: 11:00-12:00 am. I am often in my office beyond regular office hours.  Feel free to stop by.  You can consult my On-campus Schedule to see if I'm in another class or in a meeting.

Course Description:

This course explores the nature and extent of gender differences and the processes by which those differences emerge. Students will critically evaluate theories and research regarding gender as well as discuss their own experiences and values.

Goals:

1. Students will demonstrate competence in basic communication, computation and analysis, synthesis, and application of knowledge.
2. Students will develop interpersonal skills, self-awareness, and the ability to examine their own values, beliefs, and feelings.
3. Use critical thinking in discussing women’s issues within Psychology.
4. Use knowledge of the scientific method to evaluate research regarding the psychology of women.
5. Discuss the theories of the origins of gender differences and their practical implications.
6. Discuss how the experiences of women from different cultures and subcultures compare with our own.
7. Discuss their own well-formulated opinions and listen to those of others.
8. Students will use critical thinking and the scientific method to evaluate common beliefs and research on gender differences.
9. Students will demonstrate knowledge of actual gender differences, the magnitude of those differences, and the processes through which gender identity and gender differences emerge.
10. Discuss the major theories of gender development and the empirical support for each.
11. Describe the nature and extent of empirically demonstrated gender differences.
12. Discuss how language is used differently by men and women and how language may influence views of women.
13. Discuss the role of biology in gender differences.
14. Discuss gender differences and issues throughout the lifespan.
15. Explain gender differences in achievement and motivation.
16. Discuss the experience of motherhood and the "motherhood mandate".
17. Discuss gender differences in sexuality.
18. Discuss gender differences in cognition.
19. Discuss women’s mental health issues.
20. Discuss the relationship between Psychology and women’s health issues.

.Text:

Matlin, M. (2000) The Psychology of Women, 5th Ed. Harcourt College Publishers, Fort Worth.

Attendance:

Regular class attendance and participation are essential for success in this course. Students are expected to attend all classes and to be prepared to discuss assigned reading. It is College policy that if a student misses 15% of class sessions s/he may be withdrawn from the course. I adhere to College policy. Students will be marked present if they are present at the time roll is taken in the first minutes of class. Late arrivals are disruptive to the class. Please make every effort to arrive on time.

College Policies

Students are expected to follow the College policies outlined in the College Catalog, pages 23-27.  These policies govern grading, standards for academic progress, attendance, and academic honesty.  It is important that you are aware of your rights and responsibilities according to these policies.

Evaluation and Grading:

Exams will be essays. Questions follow directly from Reading Assignments and Class Discussions. Tests may be taken early. Make-up exams are discouraged.

Papers

Papers are due at the beginning of the class for which they were assigned. Students will lose 5 points the first day they are late and one point per day they are late after that.

Coming to class prepared

Most days classroom activities will consist of discussion of assigned reading material. This allows students to check their understanding of materials read, reflect on that information, and share their opinions about it. In the process the material is rehearsed in a meaningful way. This has been established as among the most effective methods to learn new material. Obviously however, such a classroom is virtually useless to students who have not read the assignment. I want all my students to do well. Successful students have told me overwhelmingly that reading the book before class was vital to their success.  In-class activities will require that you have read assigned material.  

Using my Office Hours

I strongly encourage students to come to see me. I am willing to answer virtually any question that I can. I will explain confusing articles. I will review papers before they are turned in. I will review your study strategies with you to see how they could be improved.  I want you to succeed in this class.

Course Overview and Assignments

All reading assignments are to be completed BEFORE the class for which they are assigned to allow for meaningful class discussion.