Is gender decided at conception or at birth? Is it a biological concept or a societal construct? Judith Butler discusses the concept with her thought-provoking Gender Troubles, the key ideas of which are summarized in a short video.

Concepts

gender, gender roles, human sexuality

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Additional Tags

social studies

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Instructional Ideas

• Check out Jeffrey Eugenides's 2002 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel Middlesex for another point of view of the topic
• Have groups research the reasoning of groups and organizations that oppose Butler's theories
• Ask individuals to craft a response to Butler detailing their thinking on the question of gender

Classroom Considerations

• To avoid the comment section, show the video in full-screen mode
• A full analysis of Butler's theories is available from the publisher's website
• Be sure a protocol is in place for safe, respectful discussions of sensitive topics

• This video is hosted on YouTube

Pros

• The video uses animation to clarify Butler's ideas

Cons

• None

Common Core

SL.9-10.3 SL.11-12.3