Welcome To Sociology 272: Gender Identities, Interactions, and Relationships Professor: Dr. Richard N. Pitt Teaching Assistant: Samantha Perez

What Past Students Say About Me “Dr. Pitt is an unbelievable professor. He communicated perfectly with the class and I loved the way he taught. He is an animated and fun professor that does not hold back. I learned a lot more than I expected to, and he made this class the best class I have ever taken at Vanderbilt.” “Dr. Pitt was one of the best professors, if not the best professor, I ever had at Vanderbilt. He made class so interesting and fun. His ability to engage the students and make us like the subject was astounding. I found myself missing his style and class on days I didn't have it.” “Professor Pitt has a way of making the material interesting to the class. The projects and town meetings were the best part about the class. If I were not graduating I would love to take more classes from Professor Pitt!” “Dr. Pitt can relate to students, which is obvious in his lectures. He relates every theory, every subject, to college students which is so helpful when it comes to studying. He made himself available before tests and class presentations during office hours which was so helpful. He is funny and engaging in class lectures - his class was a highlight of the day and I learned so much about social theory that, as a sociology major, I felt I should know.”

What Else They Say.... Dr. Pitt is the best lecturer I've ever known. I came to class eager to learn something new every single class. However, I really think that his means of grading his students is completely unfair and irrational. I have really enjoyed this course and learning about how gender works, however, it was a little disappointing that I worked so hard in the class and did not exactly receive the result I was hoping for. Hands-down the best class I've ever had at Vanderbilt in terms of how the material was taught. The town meetings really helped boost my interest and investment in the material of the class. Terrible, ridiculous, utterly unfair grading scale though. One of the most stimulating professors I've ever had. Definitely is passionate about the subject, and that really comes through in his lectures. I would likely take him again for an elective course if it weren't for his grading standards because that significantly reduced my ability to enjoy the class for purely educational and intellectual reasons.

Only way to go back up is get extra credit points from town meeting evaluations... SO DO THEM!

Mini Projects (100) Town Meeting Paper (50) Town Meeting Presentation (50) Examination I (100) Examination II (100) Examination III (100) 90 points 35 points 40 points 75 points 78 points 83 points 401 points ( the same as an 80% ) Grade? B extra credit points = 415 points (Grade? B) Average Grades For This Class

Mini Projects 1. Gender Coaching 2. Gender & Safety 3. Gender Socialization 4. Gender & Talk Radio 5. Gender Intersectionality 6. Gender Transgressions

Mini Projects (100) Town Meeting Paper (50) Town Meeting Presentation (50) Examination I (100) Examination II (100) Examination III (100) 90 points 35 points 40 points 75 points 78 points 83 points 401 points ( the same as an 80% ) Grade? B extra credit points = 415 points (Grade? B) Average Grades For This Class

What Is A Town Meeting?

Mini Projects (100) Town Meeting Paper (50) Town Meeting Presentation (50) Examination I (100) Examination II (100) Examination III (100) 90 points 35 points 40 points 75 points 78 points 83 points 401 points ( the same as an 80% ) Grade? B extra credit points = 415 points (Grade? B) Average Grades For This Class

KEY ISSUES “N” Of One What Is An “N”? Central Tendency Is The Key Sociology vs. Journalism Audience Focus Approach Sociology vs. Psychology Unit Of Analysis What We Think Creates Behavior Differences Where Social Psychology Comes In

KEY ISSUES FOR THIS COURSE “N” Of One What Is An “N”? Central Tendency Is The Key Sociology vs. Journalism Audience Focus Approach Sociology vs. Psychology Unit Of Analysis What We Think Creates Behavior Differences Where Social Psychology Comes In

Men Women Everyone “N” of One FemaleJuniorBlack

A Bell Curve

KEY ISSUES “N” Of One What Is An “N”? Central Tendency Is The Key Sociology vs. Journalism Audience: Primarily Other Social Scientists Focus: Methods Of Investigation And Theories Of Explanation Approach: The Scientific Method Sociology vs. Psychology Unit Of Analysis What We Think Creates Behavior Differences Where Social Psychology Comes In

KEY ISSUES “N” Of One What Is An “N”? Central Tendency Is The Key Sociology vs. Journalism Audience Focus Approach Sociology vs. Psychology Unit Of Analysis: Individuals And Societies What We Think Creates Behavior Differences Psychology: Personality, emotional makeup, and aptitude Sociology: Social dynamics and social context Where Social Psychology Comes In

Why Do People Kill Themselves? Data from US Dept of Health and Human Services National Institute Of Mental Health (2009) The National Institute Of Mental Health (2009) says: “The number one risk factor for suicide is depression and other mental disorders. More than 90% of people who die by suicide have these risk factors” Duh. Suicide Rates year olds% Suicide White Men18% Black Men12% Latino Men12% Asian Men7% Native Men33% year olds% Suicide White Women4% Black Women2% Latino Women3% Asian Women4% Native Women10% CLEARLY something else is going on here.EGOISTIC Society Is Too Weak ALTRUISTIC Society Is Too Strong