Course Detail

G ST 301 Gender and Poverty

G ST 301 IS Sec 21, University of Mississippi
[See UM Catalog for Description]

3 credit hours

Instructor Information:

Kevin Cozart, M.A.

Instructor name:
Kevin Cozart, M.A.
kcozart@olemiss.edu

Areas of specialization:

  • Women and STEM
  • Gender and Sexuality
  • Media Studies
  • Gender, Sexuality, and Mass Media

Contact Information:

If you have questions concerning the content of the course, you may contact the instructor directly using the Email Your Instructor link in the Lessons or Content page. NOTE: Whenever sending email, please be sure to indicate your course title and number in the subject line. You can expect a response within 72 hours, although it may be longer on weekends. Many instructors reply within 24 hours.

For lesson or test administration issues, please contact the iStudy department:

The University of Mississippi
Division of Outreach and Continuing Education
iStudy
P. O. Box 1848
University, MS 38677

Phone: (662) 915-7313, toll-free (877) 915-7313
Fax: (662) 915-8826
E-mail: istudy@olemiss.edu

Course Description

This course provides an introduction to the connection between gender and poverty that is otherwise known as the “feminization of poverty.” We will study the correlations between social, economic, and political consequences, and how poverty is not recognized. This course will also look at the privilege that being wealthy and male provides. This course will study the unspoken assumption that caring for the home and children are a woman’s responsibility and how a change in female/male role expectations could help resolve many of these issues. Theory and political action, particularly as they relate to the issues of race and ethnicity, will be emphasized. Students will both read the works of women writers in this field and also examine their own communities to analyze the ways in which the individual, community values, and how systems of power play a key role in further keeping women and children in poverty. Students will also learn to formulate responses and interpretations using varied strategies (e.g., critical reading, online self-reflection, comparative analysis). We will also examine other social issues such as population, the wage gap, health care and religion.

Textbook Information:

Textbook information will be provided upon enrollment in your iStudy course.

Course Objectives:

If you complete this course successfully, you will:

  • Be able to understand more fully the connections between theoretical concepts and people's lived experience in relation to the feminization of poverty: The personal is political is a statement closely associated with women and poverty. Many of the readings for this course will illustrate a strong correlation between social, economic, and political consequences and how poverty is not recognized. Required learning activities also explore this connection.
  • Be able to recognize the intersection of gender and the environment: Gender -- the social-cultural elaboration of sexual difference -- shapes identities, defines behavioral expectations, and frames individual possibilities. Since gender constantly interacts with other cultural-social constructs such as race and class, one cannot accurately speak of men-in-general or women-in-general. Many of the readings and learning activities of the course deal with this intersection.
  • Improve critical thinking skills: The readings and the written assignments for this course are designed to prompt you to think about women, children and the “feminization of poverty.” Critical does not mean to criticize, but to question based on reason and evidence.

Course Outline:

This course consists of 14 instructional modules (or lessons) and 2 proctored exams.

You MUST take the syllabus quiz within 2 weeks of enrolling or you will be dropped from the course. NOTE: you must pass the Syllabus and Orientation Quiz for the course materials to appear on the Lessons page.
Lesson Reading Assignments Due for Grades Suggested Pacing Guide
(if you want to complete the course in a traditional semester)
Start Here *You MUST complete the syllabus quiz as soon as you have access to your Blackboard course. This is mandatory to verify your attendance.* NOTE: you must pass the Syllabus and Orientation Quiz for the course materials to appear on the Lessons page. Syllabus Quiz Week 1
0 Course Introduction/Resources Discussion board Week 1
1 An Introduction to Gender and Poverty Journal Week 1
2 The Historical Perspective of Gender and Poverty Journal Week 2
3 Is Poverty a “Woman’s Issue?” Journal, Research Assignment 1 Week 3
4 The Vicious Cycle of Poverty Journal, Article Analysis 1 Week 4
5 Exploring the Link: Social Issues and Welfare Journal Week 5
6 Economics and Poverty Journal Week 6
7 The Globalization of Poverty Journal Week 7
Mid Term Exam All assignments that come before the exam must be submitted. Mid Term Exam
to be completed before proceeding 		Week 7
MIDPOINT OF COURSE You are encouraged to reach the midpoint of your course by the date specified in your information. All lesson assignments or exams needed to reach the midpoint of the course The exact date the semester students are encouraged to reach the midpoint is specified in their registration information.
8 Positions of Inequality Journal Week 8
9 Women, Invisibility and Poverty Journal Week 9
10 Gender, Race and Poverty Journal Week 10
11 Culture and Poverty Journal, Research Assignment 2 Week 11
12 Implication of Gender and Poverty Journal, Article Analysis 2 Week 12
13 “Still Crying Out Loud” Journal Week 13
14 Understanding Gender and Poverty-Final Thoughts Journal Week 14
Final Exam Be sure all work has been submitted prior to taking this exam. Final Exam
To be submitted
to finalize credit		 Week 15 - 16

Grading:
Assignments and Points Distribution
Type Points Number of Assignments Total
Journals 50 14 700
Research Project 50 2 100
Article Analysis 50 2 100
Midterm 100 1 100
Final 200 1 200
Total Points 1200

GRADING SCALE:
1074 - 1200 = A
954 - 1073 = B
834 - 953 = C
714 - 833 = D
0 - 713 = F

GRADING INFORMATION:
Each lesson submitted will be read and given a numerical grade. If you make below a 60 on 5 lessons you
will fail the course.

FAILURE TO TAKE THE FINAL EXAM WILL RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE COURSE.

You must submit the lessons required to take the course exam(s). Lessons required but not submitted will receive a grade of zero. For the final exam, all coursework must be submitted and graded.