WMNST325-03:

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Psychology of Women
Fully Online
Geneva Robinson Darcuiel, PsyD.
geneva.robinson@mail.sdsu.edu
619-917-8336
NE 162-B
Wednesday 1:30-3:30pm
Thursday
Claire Plourde
claireplourde@gmail.com
Crawford, M. (2012). Transformations: Women,
Gender & Psychology (2nd ed.) New York: McGraw
Hill Publishers

COURSE DESCRIPTION
If you know at least a woman or two, you already have some fundamental
experiences that are course-related! We are here to learn together and from each
other. Please keep in mind the shared goal of making this a rewarding learning
experience for all participants. You are expected to actively participate by
completing all assignments, and demonstrating your understanding of the materials
through multiple online activities and exams, and also through your contributions to
Discussion Board Forums that reflect your thoughtful and in-depth consideration of
course concepts and feminist perspectives.
The course is designed to provide participants with an integrated and
academically rigorous examination of theories, research, and subjective experiences
in the study of the psychology of women within the social contexts of culture, class,
race, sex and gender; similarities and differences, and the social construction of these
concepts. Because of the nature of the material, student willingness to introspect
regarding course concepts and an experiential investment in class are essential
components of the anticipated meaning-making process and of the learning
experience, and students are expected to actively engage in all course components.
The Psychology of Women satisfies the University General Education section IV,
Explorations of Human Experience: Cultural Diversity requirement.

COURSE FORMAT
This course is offered fully online through San Diego State Universitys course
management system, Blackboard, so the prerequisite is reliable computer and Internet
access. Familiarity with Blackboard, though not a prerequisite, will be necessary in
order to successfully complete all requirements; so for those who are not familiar with or
comfortable within Blackboard, please familiarize yourself with the course FAQs
This course incorporates an in-depth investigation of biological, historical, social,
and cultural factors that shape diverse womens lives, influencing their behaviors, world
views and experiences of self. Course content will be organized around the following
predominant themes:

-The Psychology of Woman has as its focus the illumination of all factors that contribute
to better understanding women, their minds, behaviors, and particularly the contexts in
which women live their lives.
-Women have not yet achieved full equality with men.
- Women are diverse and vary widely from one another and there are similarities and
differences between women and men.
-Psychology can contribute to social change and social justice.
Gender is a social system linked to status and power. The personal is political.
-Underlying all of the above concepts and lived experiences is an inherent theme of
social justice and activism.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon completion of this course, the successful student will be able to:

Articulate an understanding of womens multiple realities;

Critically evaluate the social construction of issues relating to gender

Integrate personal perspectives with theories and current research findings in the
field, and reflect on their significance

Identify and discuss the social and cultural mechanisms that support the unequal
status and treatment of women
Produce online assignments that synthesize course objectives
Define and recognize the implications of social justice in the context of
contemporary real-life issues
Navigate Blackboard sufficiently well to be able to effectively complete all required
coursework.

What we expect from students:

Carefully review the syllabus and ask for clarification as needed.

Consistently and actively participate in your own learning process

Contribute respectfully, using appropriate language and with an open mind, to

constructive deliberation and discussion of topics to be addressed

Complete assignments and communicate concerns with the instructor or Assistant

in a timely manner.

Submit questions to the appropriate source for answers (Blackboard Helpdesk,

Registrars office, Graduate Assistant, etc.)

What you can expect from Instructor and Assistant:

To develop and implement purposeful learning activities

To facilitate creation of a safe learning and teaching community.

To be reasonably accessible via email, or scheduled Virtual lecture sessions.

To facilitate collaboration, communication and insight on diverse topics to be

addressed

To recognize and support varied learning styles

To clarify assignments and grading criteria and provide direction for resources and
research

To review and grade student work in a timely manner

To provide opportunities that challenge students toward personal insight and

accountability.

To support practical implications and applications of course content.

COMPONENTS OF THIS COURSE

Resources
1. Text: Transformations: Women, Gender and Psychology, 2nd edition, by Mary
Crawford
2. Learning Modules: This course is comprised of learning modules that may be
accessed through the Blackboard site for the class. Each module will generally
include the following components:
a. A written statement of specific learning expectations and outcomes
b. Current assignment(s)
c. Discussion Board forum and Current Event reminder
In addition some modules may also include:
d. Video or other media to be viewed
e. Surveys, questionnaires or other tasks to be completed
3. PowerPoint slides: PowerPoint slides for each Chapter will be made available prior
to the weekly lecture.
4. Lectures: After the first partial week of classes, at the designated day and time, the
instructor will post a lecture on topics relevant to the assigned module(s). Power
points are made available to be downloaded prior to the lecture for more efficient
note taking.
Graded Components
5. Discussion Board -75 points: After the first week of classes, students are required to
interact regularly using the Discussion Board tool within Blackboard. Further
instructions regarding these structured communications are included within each
DB Forum, along with specific expectations and guidelines about appropriate
interactions using this tool. You are required to contribute your original response to
each forum and subsequently to respond to one other students post. You may earn
up to 10 points for an original post and up to an additional 5 points on the same
topic for your response to a peer. You are required to participate in every posted
forum. Criteria for grading Discussion Board posts are clarified in the DB grading
Rubric, which is available under Course Documents. Components include
adherence to the prompts for specific Discussion Board Forum; synthesis of course
concepts; demonstration of an ability to understand and articulate a feminist
perspective; depth of thought and analysis; and appropriate use of college-level
vocabulary and grammar. Discussion Board deadlines are posted in the Discussion
Board schedule. NO Credit will be given for late submissions. All questions regarding
Discussion Board are required to be directed to our Graduate Assistant.
6. Exams -80 points
There will be two (2) exams administered using Blackboard during mid semester.
Each is worth 40 points (please reference the attached Course Schedule). These
online exams will consist of multiple-choice questions based on lectures, videos,
discussions, online and/or classroom activities and assignments as well as
information in the text. In respect for the varied schedules of students enrolled in
fully online courses, please note that both midterm exams will be given on
Thursdays and they will be available from 8am-9pm, so please make arrangements
in advance to access the exam during the specified time period on the dates listed

in the Course Schedule. A medical document is required to justify re-scheduling of

an exam.
7. Online Assignments -95 points
There will be assignments for which the parameters and additional information will
be posted within Blackboard as the semester progresses. The first online assignment
is an Orientation quiz worth 10 points, which will be your introduction to test taking
within Blackboard, but will also indicate how carefully you have read all
introductory course documents, and how well you understand the course syllabus.
Other required online assignments will support University-level writing expectations,
and they will be graded for adherence to the prompts for the particular
assignment, specific reference to course concepts, depth of thought,
understanding of course concepts and use of vocabulary and grammar. Late
assignment submissions will not be accepted. The instructor reserves the right to
submit any and all student writing to Turnitin to determine if it is the students
original work.
8. Final -50 points
The final will consist of multiple-choice questions and will be administered and
graded through Blackboard. Exam questions will be multiple choice, and based on
course content covered since the previous exam. Students may access the Final
Exam only between 8am-9pm on the scheduled date.
9. Extra Credit (10 points maximum) Each student may submit only one extra credit
option per semester.

CRITERIA FOR STUDENT ASSESSMENT

Criteria for Student Assessment

Online Assignments 95
Discussion Board
75
Midterm Exams
80
Final Exam
50
Total
300

A
AB+
B
B-

282 and above

270-281
261-269
252-260
240-251

C+
C
CD+
D

231-239
222-230
210-221
201-209
192-200

under 192

WOMENS STUDIES MAJOR OR MINOR

Thinking about a Major or Minor in Women's Studies? The program offers exciting
courses, is committed to women's issues and social justice, and is adaptable to your

interests and concerns. The Women's Studies Major is not impacted! For more
information please contact the Womens Studies Undergraduate Advisor, Dr. Doreen
Mattingly, at MATTINGL@mail.sdsu.edu, (619) 594-8033, office is Arts and Letters, room
#342.

ADMINISTRATIVE NOTES

Please read this syllabus carefully during the first week of class, and feel free to ask
questions immediately, as each student is responsible for understanding and compliance
with its contents.
Students with special needs: Students who need accommodation for disabilities should
register with Student Disability Services, 619-594-6473, or online at
http://www.sa.sdsu.edu/sds/index.html. Please notify and provide documentation of your
entitlement for the instructor by the end of the first week of class in order to make
appropriate arrangements to support your successful completion of all class requirements.
Thoughtful contribution to class and compliance with all guidelines is required to obtain
full credit.
You are required to respect all participants in this class, including fellow students, our
Assistant, and the instructor.
Please be aware of the language you choose to use to communicate, particularly within
Discussion Board, virtual classroom, and all other course-related interactions. Racist, sexist,
homophobic, and other offensive comments do not contribute to creating a safe space
for community learning. Should any questionable or offensive contributions come to the
attention of the instructor, we will address these as a class.
Each student is responsible to maintain her/his own back-up copy of all online submissions
through the end of the semester. Should Cyberspace, a chocolate Labrador, or a Black
hole devour your submitted assignment, it is your responsibility to immediately provide the
back-up version. All assignments must be submitted through Blackboard as instructed.
Students are responsible to monitor Blackboard every week for announcements, changes,
grades, and additional instructions throughout the semester. Any inquiries or challenges
regarding grades must be submitted within one week of the date the grade is posted in
Blackboard.
Please plan ahead, as late work will result in loss of credit for the assignment.
Do not email work to the Instructor, please submit all work using the links provided.
There will be no makeup for the Exams or the Final without valid written medical excusal,
so please arrange to take them as scheduled at the end of this syllabus.
E-mail is generally the most efficient means to reach the graduate assistant or instructor.
Your email subject line must have the specific class and must also include your full name
as it appears on SDSUs official enrollment, e.g. (WS325-04 Perfect Student) in order to
generate an appropriate response. If you have not received a response within
approximately 24 hours (weekdays), please check that you have complied with the
above-described format, then re-send, adding attempt #2 in the subject line.
Students will be expected to adhere to University standards of academic honesty and
integrity as outlined in the Student Academic Honesty Policy. Violations of academic
integrity include the following: unauthorized assistance on an examination, unauthorized
collaboration on an academic endeavor, plagiarism, misappropriation of research
materials, unauthorized access of an instructors files or computer account, and any other
serious violation of academic integrity as established by the instructor. Academic
dishonesty will not be tolerated in this class, and the instructor also reserves the right to
submit any student writing to Turnitin for evaluation. Academic dishonesty will result in an

automatic zero for the assignment and possibly the course,

the incident will be reported to the Deans Office, and
may result in student suspension or dismissal from the
university. Cheating and plagiarism are extremely serious
offenses. For more detailed information, please visit the
following website
http://infotutor.sdsu.edu/plagiarism/index.cfml and
communicate with your professor before turning in any
assignment if these expectations remain unclear to you.

CLASS SCHEDULE
WEEK
#

Week of

CONTENT

TO BE SUBMITTED

Monday, Jan. 19th

Orientation

BE PATIENT as the BlackBoard page evolves

Welcome Letter/Announcement explains how
to be fully prepared for SUCCESS!

Monday, Jan. 26th

Module 1

Orientation Quiz (ONLINE ASSIGNMENT) is

available until 11:59pm on Thursday Jan. 29th

Monday, Feb. 2nd

Module 2

Discussion Board Forum # 1

Monday, Feb. 9th

Module 3

Current Event # A

Monday, Feb. 16th

Module 4

Discussion Board Forum # 2

Monday, Feb. 23rd

Modules 1, 2,
3, 4

EXAM #1: Accessible only Thursday, Feb. 26th

between 8am-9pm

Monday, Mar. 2nd

Module 5

Current Event # B

Monday, Mar. 9th

Module 6

Discussion Board Forum # 3

Monday, Mar. 16th

Module 7

Current Event # C

10

Monday, Mar. 23rd

Module 8

Discussion Board Forum # 4

11

Monday, Mar. 30th

SPRING BREAK SPRING BREAK

12

Monday, Apr. 6th

Modules 5, 6,
7, 8

EXAM #2 Accessible only Thursday, Apr. 9th

Current Event # D

between 8am-9pm

13

Monday, Apr. 13th

Module 9

14

Monday, Apr. 20th

Module 10

15

Monday, Apr. 27th

Module 11

Discussion Board Forum # 5

16

Monday, May 4th

Module 12

Change Agent Assignment

17

Monday, May 11th

Modules 9, 10, FINAL EXAM Accessible only Thursday, May

14th between 8am-9pm
11, 12

*Important date