ANTH 144A: Anthropology of GenderInstructor: Syed Taha Kaleem Prerequisites: None Course Description: How do people across the world experience, construct, and perform gender? How have notions of gender shaped and been shaped by cultural, economic, political, and social forces? In this undergraduate course on the Anthropology of Gender, we will explore how anthropologists analyze and understand the diverse ways gender manifests in human life, both historically and in contemporary societies. <br><br> We begin by examining foundational anthropological concepts of gender, sex, and sexuality, asking critical questions about how these categories are defined and used. What distinguishes sex from gender? How does gender intersect with race, class, religion, and nationhood? By interrogating these concepts, we challenge Western, binary understandings of gender and open space for a more inclusive, global exploration of the topic. Students will be introduced to feminist, queer, and decolonial theories, providing multiple perspectives for analyzing gender as a social structure and lived experience. <br><br> The course will then examine ethnographic case studies from diverse regions, highlighting how gender is constructed and performed in different sociocultural contexts. Topics include rituals of gender transition in Indigenous cultures, third-gender roles in South Asia (such as hijras), the fluidity of gender categories in Polynesia, and state regulation of bodies and identities. Special attention will be given to how colonialism, globalization, and neoliberal capitalism have shaped gendered experiences and practices across the world. <br><br> We will also explore key debates in feminist and queer anthropology, such as the universality (or lack thereof) of patriarchy, gendered violence and resistance, reproductive rights, and the politics of visibility. How do structures of power maintain or challenge gender norms? How have individuals and communities resisted gender-based oppression? The course will highlight the role of activism, performance, and art in contesting and transforming dominant ideas about gender. <br><br> Students will be encouraged to think critically about how anthropological approaches to gender are relevant in everyday life. We will explore the gendered dynamics of work, politics, education, healthcare, and media, examining how cultural assumptions about masculinity and femininity are embedded in these spheres. The course will also address the role of gender in social movements, both historical and contemporary, such as feminist movements, LGBTQ+ activism, and global campaigns for gender justice. <br><br> As a Writing Intensive (WI) course, students will build essential skills in critical thinking, argumentation, and academic writing. Readings will span ethnographic studies, theoretical essays, and multimedia sources, offering diverse examples of how anthropologists study and write about gender. Students will engage in writing workshops, peer reviews, and structured feedback sessions to develop their analytical and communication skills. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to conduct their own ethnographic research on a gender-related topic, applying course concepts to real-world observations or interviews. <br><br> No prior background in anthropology or gender studies is required. By the end of the course, students will have a nuanced understanding of the complexities of gender and the tools to analyze how it shapes human experience across time and space. This course fulfills requirements for majors and minors in Anthropology, Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (WGS), and Sexuality and Queer Studies (SQS). Session: Session II Day: T, W, Th Time: 11:10am - 1:40pm Credit Hours: 4 Credits Course Format: Remote Learning Course for Summer 2025 Brandeis Graduation Requirement Fulfilled: DJW, NW, SS, WI Enrollment Limit: Course Classification: Undergraduate Level Course Course Tuition: $3,700 Course Fees: None Open to High School Students: Yes |
