FGSS 4201

Gender and the Brain

Course Description

Course information provided by the Courses of Study 2015-2016.

In this course, we will delve into the neuroscience of gender difference. Reading the original scientific papers, we will ask whether we can find measureable physical differences in male and female brains, and what these differences might be. Do men and women solve spatial puzzles differently, as measured physiologically? Do nonhuman animals display sex-specific behaviors mediated by brain structure, and can we extrapolate these findings to human behavior? Are there physical representations of sexual orientation in the brain, and how are these related to gender identity? And how are scientific studies represented and misrepresented in popular debate? In each class period we will read original scientific literature and discuss how the design and execution of the studies may have influenced the outcomes they measured. We will also read news and opinion articles based on the science we are discussing.

When Offered Spring.

Permission Note Enrollment limited to: 15 junior, senior or graduate students.
Prerequisites/Corequisites Prerequisite: BIONB 2220 or BIOMG 3320 or permission of instructor.

Distribution Category (SBA-AS)

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