Pick a research topic relating to sociological exploration of masculinity. More specifically, this course examines the cultural meaning and practices associated with masculinity and its relation to power, femininity, violence, sexuality, and popular culture by studying sociological perspectives on gender and bringing these perspectives to bear on key issues that arise over the life course of individuals. We will ask questions such as:

do social gender expectations shape men and women differently? If so, how? What are the rewards and penalties for meeting or not meeting gender expectations? Is gender a performance or an essence? How do people act, collectively and otherwise, to define and perform gender?

In what ways does the dominant social order both depend on and shape masculinities? What belief systems and sources of authority are mobilized in these processes?

How is power distributed and exercised in these processes? In other words, we will explore how masculinity has been socially constructed, some of the ways it is presently enacted, and its effects on the lives of men and women.

Pick a research topic relating to any of the above. To find these readings you should do a library search for five (5) relevant, scholarly sources of information about your topic.