Ohio State University Class Will Analyze 'Violent White Masculinity'

A spring course at Ohio State University will analyze the “construction of violent white masculinity.”

According to a report from The College Fix, a new course at The Ohio State University will focus on “white male masculinity” and its manifestations. One of the course’s assigned readings focuses exclusively on the “construction of violent white masculinity.”

Jackson Katz, in his article about the “construction of violent white masculinity,” argues that media portrayals of “white masculinity” glorify violence. “The appeal of violent behavior for men, including its rewards, is coded into mainstream advertising in numerous ways,” Katz writes.

The course’s instructor, Jonathan Branfman, describes the course in the syllabus as an exploration of various expressions of masculinity. “This course analyzes cultural ideas about masculinity, and how they relate to ideas about race, sexuality, and citizenship,” the syllabus reads. “Because we will emphasize how masculine expectations vary between cultures, places, and eras, we will use the plural term masculinities. The class introduces students to foundational feminist and queer analytical tools about masculinities, and especially the field known as men’s studies or feminist masculinity studies.”

Branfman is also the author of a children’s book that aims to help young children come to a better understanding of gender. On Amazon, the book is advertised as an explainer for young children on the topics of “gender identity, romantic orientation, and family diversity.”

You Be You! makes gender identity, romantic orientation, and family diversity easy to explain to kids. We also cover discrimination, privilege, and how to stand up for what’s right. This book is for kids of all ages, with beautiful illustrations, clear explanations, and short sections. Read a little or a bunch at a time—whatever you and your kids feel like. Enjoy, and help build a happier and more accepting world!

“It was really a result of teaching women’s, gender and sexuality studies classes at OSU,” Branfman told Ohio State’s student newspaper about his children’s book. “I often found myself thinking, ‘Wouldn’t it be great if everyone got really clear, unstigmatized information about gender and sexual diversity at a young age instead of them having to unlearn all kinds of harmful false ideas when they’re 12 instead of when they’re 20?’”