Final Paper and Presentation Guidelines

The final research paper or project represents the cumulative effort of your work this semester. It should be 1500 words, double-spaced, Times New Roman, 12 point font, standard 1 inch margins on all sides.

There should be a cover sheet that is NOT part of the page count and page numbers should start on the second page and be located in the lower right hand corner of the paper.

This final paper will demonstrate your proficiency in applying concepts relevant to the theories we have been studying to a topic of your choice pertaining to sexual and gender identities.

Your project should reference Egg And Sperm article (attached file) in an application of one or more theoretical concepts we have explored this semester to a text, issue, or cultural production of your choice.

You should include a minimum of two (2) outside sources on the topic, which can be original data collection or other sources you have found in your own research.

Therefore, the paper will have a total of three (3) sources. Proper research methods using the FIU library website will be discussed in class.

Examples of possible concepts to consider/integrate:

• medical science and sexuality - the construction of "normal"

HE EGG AND THE SPERM

Science Has Constructed a Romance Based Stereotypical Male-Female Roles

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. The author notes that the wording in many scientific textbooks "stresses the fragility and dependency of the egg." How does this correspond with our ideas of femaleness/femininity in humans?

2. Can you think of other instances in the field of science (or other disciplines) in which concepts seem to be "gendered" to fit our ideas of male/female and/or masculine/feminine?