Every class I teach on culture, diversity, tolerance, race, and anthropology aims to answer "How can we make the world a better place?" This is very relevant for the topic of gender. This class will introduce gender stereotypes in Western society, their history, how education and advertisement have supported them, and how they are changing. Students will also study gender in non-Western cultures to see comparatively that gender is beyond a binary and the 'traditional' Western roles are not universal. Students will explore their own beliefs and backgrounds regarding gender norms and those of other cultures. They will learn about the US, England, Afghanistan, India, Japan, Two-Spirits, transgender, transphobia, non-binary, and the nuances within the LGBTQIAP community. This class is great for homeschooling styles unschooling, unit learning, and eclectic education.

Week 1- Introductions. Students will have a safe space to begin discussions about their own questions, fears, and what they hope to learn from this class. We will discuss stereotypes about gender roles and heteronormativity.

Week 2- This week will focus on the influence of media on gender stereotypes in tv shows, movies, and advertisements. They will learn the history of pink for girls and blue for boys and make their own advertisements in class.

Week 3- This week will introduce the gender spectrum and discuss some of the science behind gender vs biological sex. This will draw on work in the biological sciences, psychology, sociology, and anthropology.

Week 4- This week will introduce students to gender in non-Western cultures. Students will also study gender in non-Western cultures to see comparatively that gender is beyond a binary and the 'traditional' Western roles are not universal. Students will explore their own beliefs and backgrounds regarding gender norms and those of other cultures. They will learn about the US, England, Afghanistan, India, Japan, Two-Spirits, transgender, transphobia, non-binary, and the nuances within the LGBTQIAP community.

Week 5- This final week will discuss about gender equality and equitability. Students will learn how their own beliefs influence how they act and see the world. They will learn strategies to deal with situations where people try to enforce Western traditional gender norms on peers or themselves when the individual does not want to. They will learn skills for allyship in this week.