Psychology of Gender

Overview

This course introduces students to the psychological literature on gender. Course topics include the causes of sex differences and similarities, the influence of gender roles on life experiences including those related to workplace/leadership, parenting, sexuality, violence and aggression, as well as the relationship between gender and health and well-being.
This module’s content maps onto the UN Sustainable Development Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls; in particular:
5.1. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
5.2. Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation
5.4. Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation
5.5. Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life

Learning Objectives

The three primary objectives for this course are that students:
1. Gain a general overview of the psychological research and theory on gender and how gender roles affect men and women’s lives
2. Apply the psychological approach to studying gender to real-life situations and experiences
3. Develop cultural competency and social responsibility related to gender-related topics as they relate to workplace/leadership, parenting, sexuality, violence, and health.

Skills

Thinking about conceptual and theoretical questions from a range of different perspectives.
Evaluating and summarising empirical studies in the psychology of gender. Literature searching skills.
Report writing.

Assessment

None