Southern Utah University

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Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Introduction to Psychology of Gender (Face-to-Face)

PSY 3250-01

Course: PSY 3250-01
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: PSY
CRN: 12311

Course Description

The objective of this course is to provide an understanding of general concepts related to the Psychology of Gender. We will explore various theoretical perspectives on the nature of gender, sex, sex-roles, social constructs, and how gender constructs affect relationships and health. We will explore the impact of gender dynamics in society on individuals and examine the process of evaluating our own perspectives to integrate theory, research, and personal experience.

Required Texts

Psychology of Gender, (6th ed.) by Vicki S. Helgeson

Learning Outcomes

Essential Learning Outcomes

  1. Knowledge of Human Cultures and the Physical and Natural World-

    • Become familiar with main theories and concepts of individual and social behavior, affect, and cognition related to gender

  2. Critical Thinking

    • Learn to engage in critical analysis of social constructs of gender.
    • Apply understanding and psychological concepts to real-world observations and experiences

  3. Communication

    • Learn to communicate respectfully with others about sensitive topics.
    • Reflect on one’s own experience in communicating with others who may share differing experiences and viewpoints.

Course Requirements

Grading
A = 100-94% B+ = <90-87% C+ = <80-77% D+ = <70-67% F < 61%
A- = <94-90% B = <87-84% C = <77-74% D = <67-64%
B- = <84-80% C- = <74-70% D- = <64-61%
  • Exams — 50%
  • Critical Thinking Project — 30%
  • Study guides — 10%
  • Participation — 10%
  • Total — 100%
Please note that Canvas grades are ESTIMATES and can sometimes significantly over-estimate your grade. To ensure accuracy, you need to be in contact with me about your progress/grade in the course.
Assignments & Exams
Exams
You will take three exams in this class during the semester. Exam content will be gathered from a combination of in-class material, content from the textbook, and possibly some assigned extra readings (articles). Most exams are not cumulative. There will be a cumulative Final Exam during finals week. The lowest exam score will be dropped from your overall grade. We will not go over exams in class, but I am happy to discuss your exams during office hours or at other times by appointment. You may not use the book, notes, or outside resources (people or the internet) during exams.
Chapter Study Guides
You will be given a copy of the study guide on Canvas. Open the document and fill it out with definitions and examples for each relevant chapter. This is due just before class on the first day we discuss each chapter, as you will be expected to participate in class discussions using some of the terms and concepts from the chapters. See Canvas for due dates and more details.
Self-Reflection and Critical Thinking
This is a reaction and reflection paper that focuses on your engaging with the critical thinking process and practicing some of the steps in relation to some of the concepts and ideas we have discussed in class. This is NOT about your CT Project topic, but about the variety of topics from class discussion and your readings. See Canvas for more details.
Critical Thinking Project and Position Paper
The purpose of this project is to implement the critical thinking process, applying critical thinking to your experiences in this class and to broader, socially relevant topics. You will note a topic of debate, then follow the critical thinking process as outlined in the Critical Thinking slides on Canvas. The topic must be something debatable. This is not a research paper per se, but an exploration of differing sides on an issue that will include some scholarly research. The project is broken up into multiple components, due throughout the semester. Use the PowerPoint slides on Critical Thinking as an outline to follow so you can clearly articulate the various steps and components of the critical thinking process. This point is crucial: This is NOT a persuasion paper; it is a position paper. You are not trying to convince your reader to agree, merely demonstrating the PROCESS and sharing WHY you had/have the position.
Step 1: Topic Selection- You will submit a topic for your paper. The topic must meet the following criteria: It must be debatable, and something on which people could take a position. It must be socially relevant, so something that is both current and goes beyond personal preference or experience. It must be related to the concepts of the course (i.e. gender).
Step 2: Initial Position (1-2 pages)- This essay explores your initial opinion and evaluating your initial information, as well as values, emotions, and personal experience (please note you do NOT have to reveal highly personal info in this essay). Include 3 questions that explore beyond your initial position and information.
Step 3: Final Position Paper (4-5 pages)- This is where you will explore other sides of the topic from your initial position. Include any new experiences that have impacted your viewpoint (assignments, discussions, etc.), and include an analysis of the topic utilizing the appropriate terminology of one of the psychological theories from class as well as at least 4 scholarly sources (peer-reviewed journals, not websites). The product should be a minimum of 4-5 pages in length and incorporate some of the things you have learned this semester in class as well as gathering information outside of class, what opinions or ideas may have changed for you (and why) as well as what opinions or ideas have not changed (and why).
Current Events Assignment
Bring in some clip from popular media that is relevant to the discussion topic scheduled for that day. It may be a news article, YouTube clip, TEDtalk, commercial, music video, or clip from tv/movies. Be prepared to lead class discussion with questions and be sure to relate it to current concepts and ideas we are discussing in class, particularly things from the current chapter we are covering (see the course calendar below and on Canvas). We will then discuss the clip using concepts from the readings, theories, and critical thinking skills. You can sign up for a specific day on Canvas through the Calendar function. Post the link and discussion questions to the Current Events Main Discussion thread on Canvas. Some of these may become assigned discussion board topics to be completed on Canvas outside of class time, particularly if we do not have time to discuss them live in class. This is part of your participation grade.

Course Outline

Tentative ScheduleTentative ScheduleTentative ScheduleTentative Schedule
DatesTopicAssignments Due and/or Exams
Jan 8Introduction/Definitions;
Critical Thinking		Chapter 1Study Guides due throughout semester, see Canvas
Jan 13, 15Research; Gender Role AttitudesChapter 2, 3
Jan 20, 22Gender Role Attitudes;
Social Privilege		Chapter 3CT Project Step 1
Jan 27, 29Observed Gender Differences; TheoryChapter 4, 5
Feb 3, 5TheoryChapter 5Exam 1- Ch 1-5
Feb 10, 12Interpersonal Communication; AchievementChapter 6CT Reflection 1
Feb 17, 19Communication; FriendshipChapter 7, 8
Feb 24, 26Friendship; Romantic RelationshipsChapter 8, 9
Mar 3, 5Romantic Rel.; Health DifferencesChapter 9, 10Exam 2- Ch 6-9
CT Project Step 2
Mar 10, 12Spring Break
Mar 17, 19Health Differences; Relationships & HealthChapter 10, 11
Mar 24, 26Rel & Health;
DV & Sexual Assault		Chapter 11
Mar 31,
Apr 2		Festival of Excellence; Rel. & Health; Paid Work & HealthChapter 12
Apr 7, 9Paid Work Role & Health; RMPA
Apr 14, 16Mental HealthChapter 13Crit Thinking Summary
Exam 3- Ch 10-13
April 22, 2026- FINAL EXAM- 1:00 – 2:50 pm All Exams, including the final, are currently planned to be completed on CanvasNo Late Work can be submitted after Apr 17April 22, 2026- FINAL EXAM- 1:00 – 2:50 pm

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Late work will be accepted on a case-by-case basis. In other words, I reserve the right to refuse any late work handed in. Contacting me before the assignment is due increases the likelihood of consideration. I generally incur a late penalty of up to 15% reduction in total points possible per calendar day, usually no more than 50% of the total possible points if it is submitted within a reasonable time.
Unless we have made specific arrangements before the last day of class, I am unable to accept ANY late work after the last day of class other than the final exam. Exams cannot be submitted late.

Attendance Policy

I have found that students are best able to succeed in my classes if they come prepared and participate regularly. This class is primarily discussion based, and there will be many in-class examples, activities, and concepts presented which are not in the textbook. Attendance is counted toward the final grade and will be tracked via in-person attendance (though please talk to me if there are extenuating circumstances). As most students learn best when given material in a variety of ways (textbook and lecture and discussion), consistent participation is extremely important to understanding concepts and ideas in this class. Such participation in class discussions must be appropriate and respectful. This includes recognizing everyone’s right to have and share their own viewpoint without fear of retribution, harmful criticism, or violation of individual confidentiality. Disruptive or disrespectful behavior or any action in violation of the student handbook will result in being asked to leave.
It is your responsibility to be prepared for class discussions including having read the appropriate material ahead of time. It is your responsibility to attend regularly. Should you miss a class, it is your responsibility to find out what information was missed, so talk to fellow classmates and myself to get caught up. It is also your responsibility to get to class on time as arriving late can be very distracting to other students. Lastly, if my scheduled office hours are not compatible with your schedule, it is your responsibility to reach out to me to arrange an alternative time to meet. I am happy to accommodate varying schedules.

Course Fees

none

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.