Gender, Politics & Society
Spring Semester 2025 - 2026
Professor: Julián Martínez Ramos (jamr@usal.es)
Class Meetings
Thursdays 13:10 – 14:30hs
Faculty of Law, University of Salamanca
Room 003A
Course description
The course is designed to introduce the students into the main and current debates on the field of Gender Studies. Its aim is to bring not only a theoretical perspective, but also to examine empirical research on the field. Therefore, the course is structured in two main sections. The first one takes a theoretical approach. It starts with an introduction of the main topics and debates on the field of gender studies from a sociological perspective. It intends to acquaint students with the leading authors and texts as a basis for subsequent debates. The second section aims to complement the former with an empirical approach. On this section students will examine studies and research papers that match some of the theoretical debates with an empirical and applied perspective. This course does not attempt to cover in depth all the open debates in the field of Gender Studies. Rather, its aim is to supply the students with the tools for theoretical and empirical analysis prioritizing the main and current debates on this field. Some of the readings may include technical components, but it does not presuppose any extra requirements for taking the course.
Methodology
Although the first sessions will be mostly conducted by the professor, the course will have a ‘seminar’ format. Therefore, participation will be critical for the appropriate development of the course. Presentations and discussion in the class will be part of the evaluation.
Evaluation
Evaluation is not only a tool for a better learning, but also is an incentive for all the students to read and prepare the sessions. Therefore, evaluation will consist in two exams (20% each, 40% total), one presentation in class (of one of the papers) (20%), three brief responses in the online forum (5% each, 15% total), and one final written assignment (25%)
Exams (40%)
Two midterm exams (20% each).
Multiple choice format.
Presentation (20%)
One of the readings assigned for the session.
Individual
10 minutes max.
Must include at least 3 questions posted in Studium no later than Monday 1:00 pm. Questions should promote discussion in class! And must be related to the relevant elements of the text.
Responses (15%)
Three in total, not in the same reading (5% each).
Responses in the discussion panel of Studium due Tuesday 9am (before class starts).
Brief responses: 1-2 paragraphs max.
Short written assignment (25%)
Maximum 5 pages.
Essay format or research paper (details later).
Depth discussion of one or more topics covered in the course. Must include: Question, a theoretical framework, cases of study (only if necessary) or discussion, conclusions, bibliography.
Course schedule and readings
(subject to changes)
| Session | Date | Topics | Readings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 3/2 | Presentation | |
| 1 | 10/2 | Sociology of Gender: definitions and frameworks | - Wharton, A. (2005). Introduction to the Sociology of Gender (Ch. 1). In Wharton, A (2005) The Sociology of Gender: An Introduction to Theory and Research. Blackwell, Oxford. pp: 1-13 |
| 2 | 17/2 | Individual frameworks. Gendered person. Sex v Gender debate | - Wharton, A. (2005). The Gendered Person (Ch. 2). In Wharton, A (2005) The Sociology of Gender: An Introduction to Theory and Research. Blackwell, Oxford. pp: 17-52 |
| 3 | 24/2 | Gender socialization | - Wharton, A. (2005). The Gendered Person (Ch. 2). In Wharton, A (2005) The Sociology of Gender: An Introduction to Theory and Research. Blackwell, Oxford. pp: 17-52 - Stockard, J. (2006). Gender Socialization. (Ch. 11) In Saltzman Chafetz, J. (2006) Handbook of the Sociology of Gender. Springer, USA., pp: 215-228 |
| 4 | 4/3 | Interactional frameworks and Doing Gender | - Wharton, A. (2005). Gender in Interactions and Institutions (Ch. 3). In Wharton, A (2005) The Sociology of Gender: An Introduction to Theory and Research. Blackwell, Oxford. pp: 53-78 - West, C & Zimmerman, D. (1987) Doing Gender. Gender and Society, 1(2), 125-151. |
| 5 | 10/3 | Institutional frameworks | - Kalev, A. & Deustch, G. (2018) Gender Inequality and Workplace Organizations: Understanding Reproduction and Change. (Ch. 19), in Risman, B. et al (2018) Handbook of the Sociology of Gender. Springer. Pp 257-273. - Acker, J. (1990) Hierarchies, Jobs, Bodies: A Theory of Gendered Organizations. Gender and Society, 4(2), 139-158. |
| 6 | 17/3 | Intersectionality | - Robinson, Z. (2018). Intersectionality and Gender Theory. In B. J. Risman et al. (eds.), Handbook of the Sociology of Gender, Handbooks of Sociology and Social Research, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-76333-0_5 |
| 7 | 24/3 | Review and 1st Midterm exam | |
| Start | of | presentations | |
| 8 | 7/4 | Gender and Politics | - Shiran (2024) Backlash after Quotas - Senk (2020). Are Women Less Effective at Passing Bills? Exploring the Direct and Indirect Effects of Gender. - Vallejo Vera & Gómez Vidal (2022) The Politics of Interruptions - Beall, V. & Barnes, T. (2020)Mapping Right-Wing Women’s Policy Priorities in Latin America. |
| 8 | 7/4 | Gender and work | - Hakim, C. (2006) Women, careers, and work-life preferences. British Journal of Guidance & Counselling. 34(3):279-294 - Hirshfield, L. and Glass, E. (2018) Scientific and Medical Careers: Gender and Diversity. (Ch. 35). in Risman, B. et al (2018) Handbook of the Sociology of Gender. Springer. Pp 479-492. - Blanhette, T y Da Silva, A. P. (2018) Classy Whores: Intersections of Class, Gender, and Sex Work in the Ideologies of the Putafeminista Movement in Brazil. Contexto Internacional, 40(3) |
| 9 | 14/4 | Gender and unpaid work and care | - Sullivan, O. (2018) The Gendered Division of Household Labor. (Ch. 27). in Risman, B. et al (2018) Handbook of the Sociology of Gender. Springer. Pp 377-392. - Armenia, A. (2018) Caring as Work: Research and Theory. (ch 34) in Risman, B. et al (2018) Handbook of the Sociology of Gender. Springer. Pp. 469-477 - Sevilla-Sanz, A. et al (2010) Gender Roles and the Division of Unpaid Work in Spanish Households. Feminist Economics. 16(4). 137-184\ |
| 11 | 28/4 | Beyond binarism | - Butler, J. (2004) Undiagnosing Gender. (ch. 4) in Butler, J. (2004) Undoing Gender. Routledge, London. Pp. 75-101. - Darwin, H. (2017) Doing Gender Beyond the Binary: A Virtual Ethnography. Symbolic Interaction, (40)3, 317-334 |
| 12 | 5/5 | Gender Violence and intersectionality | - Crenshaw, K. (1991). Mapping the Margins: Intersectionality, Identity Politics, and Violence against Women of Color. Stanford Law Review, 43(6), 1241–1299 - Walby et al. (2017). CONCEPTUALISING VIOLENCE AND GENDER. In The concept and measurement of violence (1st ed., pp. 31–56). Bristol University Press - Brown, et al (2017). #SayHerName: a case study of intersectional social media activism, Ethnic and Racial Studies |
| 13 | 12/5 | Course review and 2nd midterm | |
| 19/5 to 2/6 | Final writing assignment deadline and 1st call | ||
| 9/6 to 19/6 | 2nd call |
Appointments
Please feel free to schedule an appointment via email.
jamr@usal.es