Spectrums of Gender
Spectrums of Gender
Required Materials:
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Schilt & Westbrook. 2015. “Bathroom Battlegrounds and Penis Panics”.
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Contexts 14(3): 26 – 31.
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Killerman, Sam. 2017. “The Genderbread Person
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” version 4
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Tobia, Jacob. 2019. “A Quick MANifesto”
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Video: Vice News. 2019. The Fight to Stop Genital Surgeries on Intersex Infants
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Video: SNL. 2015. Pete Davidson on Transgender Rights
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Video: Bird, Jackson. 2017. How to Talk (and Listen) to Transgender People
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Activity Instructions:
“It will likely take the rest of my life to return to a gender that is free of shame. I will spend the rest of my life trying to resurrect who I was when I was four. But perhaps this is what we all do? Or at least, this is what we all should do.”
~Jacob Tobia, Sissy: A Coming-of-Gender Story
Part One
Consider the discussions and arguments presented this week regarding public perceptions and the rights of transgender, nonbinary/agender, and intersex communities. Using the ideas here combined with what you have learned this semester, choose one of the topics below (or your own related point) to create an informed argument on the topic. To do this:
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State the position you are taking and why you believe this is an important topic
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Discuss at least 3 sociological concepts that support your position or contribute to what you think is crucial about this issue (you can also reference anything from earlier in the semester).
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While opinions are welcome and encouraged, be sure you focus on supporting your argument with sociological facts rather than solely personal opinion.
Topics to choose from:
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Allowing trans/agender people to use the restroom of their choice
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Allowing trans/agender people to express their identity from a young age
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Halting sex assignment surgery on intersex infants
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Gender conscious pronoun use across society and in social interactions
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The ability to change and choose one’s name (schools, banks, government IDs etc)
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Your own related topic, please feel free to message me if you have questions about a topic choice
**Your initial post is due by Thursday, May 13 by 11:59pm**
Part Two
For your reply, respond to at least one classmate who discussed a different topic than you and discuss your thoughts on their academic argument. Try to move away from discussing differences in opinion and instead focus on the sociological concepts discussed. You can add any ideas you think might be relevant as well. If you agree with their arguments, be sure to do more than say you agree. Try to add additional ideas or support and build on the discussion. For instance, you might provide considerations of intersectional approaches to the topic.
