Introduction to Women, Gender, Sexuality Studies

Reviewed by Maina C. Singh, Scholar in Residence, School of International Service, American University on 2/1/18

Comprehensiveness rating: 5

The title of the book itself reflects its wide span of coverage -- from women and gender to more complex debates in Sexuality Studies. It covers each of these areas in great detail providing examples which would be familiar and relevant to students in the US.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

The content is well-curated with a adequate self-reflexiveness.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

I don't believe that the content of this book will become obsolete anytime soon. However, textbooks such as this one, which provide several examples from contemporary American society and politics may require updates in due course.

Should a future instructor desire to add or substitute examples, I believe that it should be easy to make modifications.

Clarity rating: 5

A major strength of this book is its overall clarity and lucidity in explaining important concepts. Teaching courses on Gender and Sexuality requires unpacking wide-ranging concepts like Race, Class , Hegemony and so forth in order to contextualize gender in terms of structural inequalities rooted in colonialism, global production patterns , labor migrations etc. Unit 2 of this book "Challenging Binary Systems and Constructions of Difference" provides some excellent and lucid explanations for this project.

Consistency rating: 4

The terminology and framework of the book create consistent flow.
The book displays a student-centric approach to learning.

Modularity rating: 5

The structure of the book enables easy insertion or modifications for future Instructors who may wish to assign only parts of this textbook.
In fact, for the same reason, this textbook can be productively used for Online Teaching as well, where it would be easy to assign certain sections to any module which may require a discussion of Gender issues. This can be relevant to courses in Sociology, Area Studies or International Relations.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

From Unit 1 which introduces the subject terrain to Units 4 ( 'Gender and Work in the Global Economy' ) and finally Unit 5 ( 'Historical and Contemporary Feminist Social Movements' ), the book expands its canvas and deepens its critique with a wealth of detail and commentary that is commendable.

Interface rating: 5

The interface is user-friendly and student-friendly !

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

Did not find any significant problems with the grammar.

Cultural Relevance rating: 3

The text is culturally sensitive but is firmly rooted in a North American context. Thus, ' inclusiveness' of the authors is reflected in the attention that they pay to examining gender and power as it relates to the underprivileged and minority groups whether they may be oppressed due to Race, Class or Sexuality. All of this has a North American focus-- even when there is a discussion of "Gender and Work in the Global Economy" Therefore, if an Instructor wishes to offer a course on Gender Studies encompassing a wider transnational canvas, then the examples presented here offer limited possibilities.

The units in this textbook which explain concepts, terms and frameworks related to Gender and Sexuality are of immense value. However, if OER initiatives are aimed at cost-reduction not only for for students in the US, but also transnationally, then for students of 'Gender and Sexuality Studies' outside the US, this textbook would have limited value because the debates presented herein are predominantly US-centric. Even the last Unit which discusses "Historical and Contemporary Feminist Social Movements" , would have limited resonance for students in the Global South.
Since OER initiatives also seek to provide cost-free textbooks globally, this is an important factor to bear in mind.