Analysis Paper 1: The Social Construction of Sexuality

Paper Format & Deadline:

For this assignment, you will write a 2-3-page (double-spaced) paper and upload it to WebCourses in Word (.doc/.docx) format.  The paper will have double-spaced text and use standard 12-point font and 1-inch margins. There is no need for a separate title page.  You should cite
 at least 1 class reading from the first two weeks of class (Modules 1 and 2). 

There’s no need to make use of materials from outside the class.  The assignment must be submitted through WebCourses by Sunday, May 26th at 11:59 PM.

Paper Content

This assignment requires that you first read all of the assigned materials listed for Modules 1-2.  Your entire Analysis Paper should be based on the materials from these modules, including our course text readings and online resources.   

Based on the readings we’ve had so far, your paper should explain the sociological approach to sexuality, which argues that sexuality is socially constructed.  In your paper, you should use the ideas expressed in course readings to address at least 2 of the following interrelated ideas:

1. Clearly define what is meant by the social construction of sexuality.

2. How is the sociological perspective different from essentialist approaches to sexuality?  

3. What are the important themes in understanding sexuality as socially constructed?  

4. What are some important theoretical frameworks that specify the social constructionist perspective on sexuality?  

**You must cite your sources. Below is a sample ASA style reference-page citation for a selection from the Stombler et al. text.  Note that the only information to change for other readings are the author(s), reading title, and the page ranges.  And when you cite this reading within the text of your paper, you should cite it as (Christina 2019).  If you are using a direct quotation within your paper’s text, the proper in-text citation includes a page number (Christina 2019: 6).  

Christina, Greta. 2019. “Are We Having Sex Now or What?” Pp. 5-8 in Sex Matters: The Sexuality & Society Reader, 5
th Ed, edited by Mindy Stombler, Dawn M. Baunach, Elisabeth O. Burgess, Wendy Simonds, and Elroi J. Windsor. NY: W.W. Norton & Co. 

Required Reading/Viewing

·
(Sex Matters) Read Windsor et al.’s paper “Future Visions for a Sex-Positive Society” (703 -712). This essay explains the tenets of a sex-positive philosophy.  

· Chapter 1 in 
Sex Matters

· View Lera Boroditsky’s Ted Talk: 

https://www.ted.com/talks/lera_boroditsky_how_language_shapes_the_way_we_think?utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshareLinks to an external site.

· View Georgiann Davis’ Ted Talk:
https://youtu.be/RtjVqsIME2ALinks to an external site.

Required Reading/Viewing

Chapter 2 in 
Sex Matters

Book online for free

https://archive.org/details/sexmatters00mind/page/n5/mode/2up