maximum:4 pages
Over the last several weeks, we have learned about various social institutions and mechanisms that seek to promote compliance with dominant norms of gender and sexuality, including masculinity and femininity. For this paper, choose any two mechanisms we have learned about (socialization, victimization, regulation, stigmatization, pathologizing, criminalization, and/or representation) that support the reproduction of our existing hierarchies of gender and sexuality by teaching, policing, punishing, and/or rewarding specific ideas about, and practices of, gender and sexuality. Explain how each mechanism operates and with what effects on individuals, groups, and society as a whole. In your response, be sure to explain/define key terms you are using and to integrate meaningfully at least three course readings assigned since Weeks Five, Six, Seven, or Eight. You are encouraged to include examples or ideas from other course materials, such as lessons or videos, readings from earlier in the quarter, and from your personal experiences, as well. You may include outside materials, but you are not expected to.
GSST 1S
Spring, 2020
Paper #2
Over the last several weeks, we have learned about various social institutions and
mechanisms that seek to promote compliance with dominant norms of gender and
sexuality, including masculinity and femininity. For this paper, choose any two
mechanisms we have learned about (socialization, victimization, regulation,
stigmatization, pathologizing, criminalization, and/or representation) that support the
reproduction of our existing hierarchies of gender and sexuality by teaching, policing,
punishing, and/or rewarding specific ideas about, and practices of, gender and
sexuality. Explain how each mechanism operates and with what effects on individuals,
groups, and society as a whole. In your response, be sure to explain/define key terms
you are using and to integrate meaningfully at least three course readings assigned
since Weeks Five, Six, Seven, or Eight. You are encouraged to include examples or
ideas from other course materials, such as lessons or videos, readings from earlier in
the quarter, and from your personal experiences, as well. You may include outside
materials, but you are not expected to.
Papers will be evaluated using the following criteria:
Does the paper have a clear thesis sentence?
Does the paper identify and explain clearly two mechanisms that support the
reproduction of existing ideas about, and practices of, gender and sexuality?
Does the paper make clear how each mechanism operates and with what effects
on individuals, groups, and society as a whole?
Does the student include definitions of key terms and concepts?
Does the student meaningfully incorporate at least three course readings
assigned during Weeks Five, Six, Seven, or Eight?
Does the student correctly and effectively make use of course material to make
their argument?
Is the paper written clearly and coherently?
Is the paper free of typographical errors, run-on and incomplete sentences,
verb/noun incongruence, and other writing problems?
Is the paper no longer than 4 double-spaced pages using a reasonable (11-12
point) font and no smaller than 1” margins?
Does the student include in-text citations (Steinem 1978) for works cited?
Please submit your paper no later than Saturday, May 23rd, at 6pm via the
iLearn site for your discussion section.
Common Questions about Papers
May I use the first person (“I”) voice?
Yes, please do! We want to hear your voice.
What is meaningful incorporation of a course reading?
Meaningful incorporation means using a reading in such a way that reflects your
understanding of the content and that advances the argument you are making. As
much as possible, use your own words rather than quote directly from the reading. This
helps convey your understanding of the material. Be sure to also use those readings
that make the most sense for the argument you are making in your paper.
How long should this paper be?
The paper should not exceed four (4) pages. If you go over by a line or two, don’t
panic. There is no minimum requirement, but short papers are likely not to address the
topic adequately and probably need better elaboration to earn high scores.