Michael Kimmel, Ph.D., a leading expert in the study of American male identity and behavior, will give a talk on “Mars, Venus or Planet Earth? Women and Men in a New Millennium” as part of the Assembly Series.
The talk, which is free and open to the public, will be held at 11 a.m. Feb. 28 in Graham Chapel.
Kimmel’s pioneering work in the sociology of male culture has resulted in a better understanding of the complexity of gender identity and how it affects male-female relationships.
He also examines the women’s movement in this context and offers insight into underlying reasons for sexual aggression, violence and harassment against women.
The State University of New York-Stony Brook sociologist is a prolific author, with a dozen books to his credit as well as numerous articles.
His books include “The Invisible Sex: Masculinity in Contemporary America,” “The History of Masculinity” and “Manhood in America: A Cultural History.”
A review in the San Francisco Chronicle refer-red to “Manhood in America” as “the most wide-ranging, clear-sighted and accessible book available on the mixed fortunes of masculinity in the United States.”
His articles have appeared in a variety of publications, from the Harvard Business Review to The Village Voice to Psychology Today. His theories and books commonly are used in gender studies.
As the national spokesperson for the National Organization for Men Against Sexism, Kimmel frequently lectures and runs workshops on preventing sexual harassment and implementing gender equity, as well as on date/acquaintance rape, sexual assault, pornography and the changing relations between women and men.
He earned a bachelor’s degree from Vassar College in 1972, a master’s degree from Brown University in 1974 and a doctorate from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1981.
The talk is co-sponsored by the student group Reflections. Reflections is dedicated to educating the WUSTL community on issues concerning eating disorders and body image, including the unhealthy thought processes that contribute to disordered eating.
For more information, call 935-4620 or visit assemblyseries.wustl.edu.