You will read the two books that correspond to your controversy to address the q

You will read the two books that
correspond to your controversy to address the questions of the assignment, plus a minimum of two
additional popular sources.
Controversy:
Are there sex differences in the brain that influence gendered behavior?
Cordelia Fine, Testosterone Rex, 2017
Carole Hooven T: The Story of Testosterone, 2021
Project has two parts. First, you should demonstrate engagement with the arguments and
evidence of each author, applying concepts from the course regarding the often-politicized nature
of knowledge construction on controversial matters. Second, you should reflect on your own
political, emotional, or moral standpoint as you were reading the books and appraising the claims
on each side.
In Part I (2000-3000 words), please address the following questions:
1) Why is this issue controversial in society? What are the basic fault lines (sides) in the
debate?
2) What is the core argument of each author?
3) What evidence do the authors bring to bear in support of their argument?
4) Do the authors see themselves as fighting on the right side of a moral or political struggle in
society? That is, do they use an “us/them” framing of the problem? If so, does the
“us/them” framing of the problem correspond to different political, emotional, or
ideological orientations in society?
5) Do the authors accuse other authors of ideological bias? That is, do they engage in “ideology
critique,” i.e., draw out the allegedly harmful political, economic, or ideological motivations
of other authors?
6) Do the authors have any “blind spots” in their discussion? Do they frame the question in
ways that leave out evidence that may contradict their view (i.e., via confirmation bias or
cherry picking)?
7) Which author’s argument and evidence do you find most convincing? Why?
In Part II (500-1000 words), please addressing the following questions:
1) What position did you have (if any) when you began reading the books for your chosen
controversy? Did you lean somewhat or strongly in favor of one position or the other?
2) When you were reading the claims and evidence made by each author, did you find yourself
taking sides with one author? If so, elaborate why.
3) Did you find that the author you were inclined to support in the beginning turned out to be
more convincing to you? Is it possible that your own political, ideological, or moral
orientation may have influenced your assessment of the respective authors?
4) Feel free to elaborate in other, creative ways about your experience reading the two books.
That is, describe the ways, if any, that the books may have piqued your emotions for good
or for ill. Did the books reinforce your preexisting beliefs or contradict them? Did you
change your mind on anything?
Though you may separate the paper into parts I & II, please don’t break the paper into separate
sections by question. Try to integrate your responses to the questions in a seamless way, in a
coherent and well-written narrative. Make sure as well to provide an introductory paragraph,
letting the reader know where you are going in the paper. I will review in class samples of workable
introductory paragraphs.
The strongest controversy projects will demonstrate deep engagement with the two books’
arguments and evidence. And note that you may run over the word limits without penalty.
Note that the project requires a minimum of two additional sources (one supporting each side of
the controversy, respectively). Note that the two sources should be popular sources, such as
reviews, debates, editorials, or even thoughtful blogs. As the two sources are the minimum, you
are encouraged to explore additional sources as well and integrate them into your project. If you
do so, make sure to list and cite them appropriately in a references section at the end of the paper