A.  Think carefully about the distinction between sex and gender. In what ways might you encounter sex discrimination as a male or female throughout your life? In what ways might you encounter gender discrimination throughout your life?





B.  Video Resource: "The Fairer Sex." In this 20-minute segment on the television program Prime Time Live, a man and woman pose as new residents in an area and attempt to buy a car, find a job, and purchase household items. In the process, they find that they are treated very differently. Talk with your classmates and then reflect on the ways in which gender has and will impact your life. In what ways have you already experienced the power of gender in shaping your experiences? Think about issues of personal safety, future career and family plans, major purchases, etc.





C.  After reading Chapter One, think about what it means for men and women to be equal. Write a brief definition of equality that you can return to at various points during your course. Be sure to think about equality in theory and equality in practice. In what ways does sex impact your definition? In what ways does gender impact your definition?





D.  Is gender equality a goal that you yourself think is important? Which path to equality-the legal equality doctrine or the fairness doctrine-best characterizes your own view on the best approach to achieving gender equality? In thinking about the next ten years of your life, what kinds of challenges related to equality do you expect to encounter? How do you anticipate that you will resolve them?





E.  On page 6 of the text, there is a box about defining "politics." After reviewing that page, write a brief definition of politics. You may want to return to this definition throughout the semester and make changes. If you do make changes, make them in a different font or color of pen so that you can reflect on how your understanding of politics has evolved over the course of the semester.