In addition to exams, I will be assessing your mastery of course material via fo

In addition to exams, I will be assessing your mastery of course material via four original Research/Reflection Project reports (each around 2–4 pages, double spaced), to be submitted for grading through “Assignments” in Canvas. See Class Calendar for due dates; late work may be subject to a grade penalty at my discretion, so as not to disadvantage those students who turned in their work on time. Do not restrict your answers to information found in the textbook and outside resources. I will be looking for your own thoughtful reflection on issues we have been studying—that is, for evidence that you are actively engaging with the class material and MAKING IT YOUR OWN. The more specific detail and examples you provide in your responses, the more credit you stand to earn. Project 3 (Defining Moments for Gender Identity) will count for up to 10 credit points toward your course grade (see Grading Rubric below):
Defining Moments for Gender Identity. “In every person’s life, there have been moments, both positive and negative, that have defined and redefined who you are. Those events entered your consciousness with such power that they changed the very core of who and what you thought you were. You were not the same person after that one moment. Although your defining moments may seem trivial to others—you have to remember, if it’s reshaped you in any way, it’s a defining moment. Your defining moments are the outlines of your life. When you know your defining moments, life becomes a little less unpredictable, irrational and confusing.” —Dr. Phil McGraw
Take a few minutes to reflect on your personal experiences, and then, in your own words, identify some gender-defining moment in your own life—specifically with regard to how you now see yourself as masculine or feminine (or perhaps neither or both), and look upon yourself (or identify) as a man, as a woman, or in some other way.
Describe your experience of what happened—including what you did or said, and how others reacted to you.
Identify the agent(s) of gender socialization (mother, father, teacher, peers, mass media, etc.) who interacted with you on this occasion to teach you what they considered proper behavior and/or attitudes for a boy or a girl (or for a man or a woman).
Identify that realm of gender socialization, or area of social experience (living space, play, dress, school, work, advertising, response to aging, etc.), in which your gender-defining moment occurred.
What norm(s) did you learn (or find to be reinforced) through this defining moment—norms about what you believe is (or would be) expected of you as a man or a woman?