PS 3940 - Gender and Society in China-Online (4)

This course aims to provide students with opportunities to examine the interplay of gender and social expectations in traditional and contemporary Chinese society. We will explore the relationship between gender roles in China and socio-political factors that influence this relationship. The course will address topics such as the following: the interaction of gender and power in Chinese culture, proper behavior as a traditional virtue of Chinese women, and the role of women in China’s new economy. 

E-Mail: riha2@oakland.edu

Office: 1018 Human Health Building

Office Hours: By Appointment 

• accurate understanding of potential advantages and disadvantages of enduring cultural beliefs and symbols in contemporary life 

• awareness of the critical role of ancient precedents in the lives of women in China, a country with a long and complex history 

– Internet Service/Computer: You must have a reliable computer and Internet service to participate in this course. If for any reason your Internet service is not working properly, you will still be responsible for meeting assignment deadlines. I urge you to develop a backup plan at the start of the course in case your Internet service or computer stops working. You will need to figure out where you can go to make your postings by the deadlines (your office, your neighbor’s house, the public library, OU campus, Kinko’s, etc.). 

– Computer Requirement: I strongly you to use a laptop or desktop rather than your cell phone to work on the module quizzes and the final paper. You need a full-size screen to read and answer quiz questions correctly and to formulate answers for short answer and essay questions. Students who use their phone to work on the quizzes miss points because their answers tend to be misspelled, incomplete, and overly brief. 

– Personal Trips/Events: Some students take trips or attend events during the time that classes are in session at OU. If you have a trip or event planned, you will still need to make your postings by the deadlines. Note that it is not possible to work ahead beyond the modules that I have opened, so please be aware that you need to make your postings within the time frame that I have set out for each module. 

– Due Dates: Always check our Moodle page to find out what is due and when it is due. This is the key “survival mechanism” for online classes. Postings are always due in Moodle by 11:55 pm on the date indicated. You will receive no credit for late postings! 

– E-mail Communication: I regularly contact the class by e-mail, and you are responsible for reading my messages and announcements. Since OU business is conducted through your OU e-mail account, I will contact you at that account. If you do not use your OU account, you *must* forward your e-mail to your usual e-mail address so that you do not miss out on communication from me. 

– Cheating/Collaboration with Other Students: You must do all of the work in this course individually, without the assistance or input of others. Do not discuss your answers with others as you work on assignments. Any evidence of collaboration with other individuals will be treated as cheating and will be penalized accordingly. See the “Statement on Academic Honesty” at the end of the syllabus for more information about what constitutes cheating. 

Grade Determination: 

1. Quizzes There are 14 major modules in the course that last one week each. Each module will minimally consist of a reading and one or more quizzes on the reading and other materials in the module. The quizzes contain various types of questions, including multiple choice, matching, short answer, short essay, etc. Quizzes are typically worth at least 20 points. 

2. Essays You will write essays on topics of interest in the course. I may ask you to conduct an interview, watch a video online, or read an article. You will then write an essay responding to questions I pose about the theme. Essays are usually worth 10 points. 

3. Forums You will participate in two types of forums on topics relating to the module themes. Discussion forums require you to make your posting first and then respond to a peer’s posting. Comment forums require you to make a posting without responding to a peer. I will ask you to watch a video online or read an article and answer questions describing your opinion of the issue. Forums are worth 5-15 points. 

4. Final Paper: Film Analysis I will ask you to watch a film that reflects the themes we learn about in the course. There are specific questions you will answer for your analytical paper that will be posted on Moodle. I will also give you instructions for viewing the film. The final paper is worth 75 points. 

5. Final Grade Your final grade will be based on the total number of points you accumulate from the components of the course. I reserve the right to consider other factors in calculating your final grade, such as having a poor attitude in the course, lack of civility in communicating online with class members, missing assignments, etc. Your final grade will be based on the grading scale below. For example, if your final course percentage in Moodle is 82%, you will receive a final grade of B- for the course. 

Course Grading Scale 

Corresponding Final Course Percentages A 95%-100% A- 90%-94% B+ 87%-89% B 83%-86% B- 80%-82% C+ 77%-79% C 73%-76% C- 70%-72% D+ 67%-69% D 60%-66% F 0%-59%