Featured Course: SOC345H5F Emotion, Gender and Social Structures
Course: SOC345H5F Special Topics in Sociology: Emotion, Gender and Social Structures
Instructor: Professor Rula Kahil
Day & Time: Wednesdays 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Course Description:
During these unprecedented times of the COVID-19 pandemic, our reality, roles, and modes of connection with others are shifting. With the changes we are facing, emotions are heightened and reinforced by newly created norms. The need to study, understand, and analyze the power of social norms/structures in shaping our world, emotions, and sense of belonging is paramount.
We will explore the connection between emotions and social structures. We will critically analyze varied ways social structures use emotions as a mode of control and marginalization. We will apply sociological theoretical perspectives to current social issues, particularly the ones related to social gender roles. Through our course readings and media coverage of social events, we will evaluate and discuss the taken for granted aspects of everyday life in terms of expressing feelings and subsequent consequences in the various cultures we live in. We will critically reflect on the importance of "emotional learning" as an educational tool to navigate through the social world.
We will start with a general overview of the history of ideas about emotions and its connection to social rules and gender norms. We will read about and discuss gender-linked norms, the 'appropriate' experience and expression of emotions for gender, as well as the consequences of not following social expectations within one's context - be it public or private. We will critically reflect on how specific emotions like shame and love can be used as a mode of control over social roles. Accordingly, we will examine the impact cultural social rules have on marginalization and social belonging.
Some of the assignments in this course will include the following:
Reading Response Essays
Based on class discussions, readings and supplemental material, students will write a 500–750 word response essay highlighting at least two concepts/ideas that stood out for them from the weekly themes. Before each response, I will post a question or two to help guide the essays. Our goal will be to connect the concepts students choose to current political/social issues.
End of Term Narrative Essay/Art-Informed
In this assignment, students will examine their family history and biography through writing a 2500-word (maximum) narrative essay on the topic of emotion, gender roles and social structures. Students will have the option and opportunity to present this assignment in an art-informed modality, about which more information will be shared in the syllabus and explained during class time.