Men, Masculinity, and Society

What is Masculinities Studies?

Masculinities studies is a vibrant, interdisciplinary field of study broadly concerned with the social construction of what it means to “be a man.” Masculinities scholars study the social role and meanings of masculinities. Behavioral science scholarship in this field looks at the two sides of inequality involved: disadvantage and privilege. Masculinities scholars study the various ways that men are—as a group—privileged, as well as focusing on the costs of those privileges and the ways in which not all men are granted equal access to them. While "male-bodied individuals" tend to be the focus of this topic, from a socio-anthropological lens, we will explore multiple cultural and social constructs of masculinities and their influence in our world.

No Course Offerings for Spring 2024. Check back in for future course options.

Required Textbooks

James W. Messerschmidt (2018)

ISBN-13: 978-1538114049

ISBN-10: 1538114046

Suggested Texts

(not required)

R. W. Connell (2005)

ISBN-13: 978-0520246980

ISBN-10: 0520246985

Syllabus

N/A

Through a socio-anthropological lens, Men, Masculinity, and Society explores the complex development of masculine identities in diverse contexts. As behavioral scientists we investigate different meanings that masculinity and femininity have on the human experience. Studying the human species from this perspective helps us gain objective knowledge of how we truly act and not just how we think we act.

While biological "maleness" varies little (in terms of medical and biological definitions -- still under great dispute), the roles behaviors, bodies, and identities that are thought of as "masculine" vary enormously. This will be one of the foci of the course as we will examine the variations of "masculine" experiences such as boyhood, adolescence, and fatherhood through social class, race/ethnicity, age, occupation, gender identity, physical ability and sexuality, and the implications for people from such diverse groups.

SOC 52 is designed be more exploratory and discussion-based, seeking to find answers to larger questions on power, hegemonic masculinity, the roles of men in modern society, and the perceptions of positive and negative social masculine behaviors.

Course Topics:

Part 1: Masculinities - Research, Construction, and Hegemonic Power

Part 2: "Masculinity" as a Concept, an Expectation, and a Commodity

Part 3: Masculinities in a Modern World