Brian Jara, lecturer in women's studies, said he has noticed a misconception among male students at Penn State -- that women's studies is a "man-bashing" program.

Jara said that in actuality, most introductory courses in women's studies and sociology discuss gender role stereotyping and socialization, and in his classes students have been sparking intense discussions about gender.

In fact, as far as he knows, there have not been any women's studies courses that focus specifically on men.

But that's about to change.

This summer Jara will teach Women's Studies 297A (Men and Masculinities), officially approved last week and available during the second summer session.

"It will look at how masculinity is situated within education, health, family, media and politics," Jara said. "It's an introductory class survey course and will cover a lot of topics."

Women's studies Director Lorraine Dowler said the department has been working to incorporate masculinity studies into its curriculum.

"I don't know if I'd call it a trend, but we're certainly seeing in our intro classes greater discussion and interest," she said.

Although Dowler said the course might be offered next year if enrollment numbers are high, the primary focus of the women's studies program will continue to be women.

Jara said the class was based on a previously available first-year seminar in sociology that focused on men and their roles in society.

That course, titled Sociology 497 (Men's Studies), was available in the mid-1990s, professor of sociology Tom Bernard said.

Jara said the course he will be teaching will explore ideas about masculinity in the United States versus other countries, and should appeal to both men and women.

"It's targeted to any student that's interested, not just men," he said. "I wouldn't guess what the make-up of students will be."

Jara added that in his introductory women's studies classes, about one-third of the students are men.

Katie Stanton (junior-women's studies) said she recently signed up for the course because she is interested in gender issues.

"It's important to examine what it means to be a man in this culture, and why that might be problematic," she said. "Traditionally, men are seen as protective and the breadwinners. For me, being a man is using power and privilege for good."

As of yesterday, there was only one person enrolled in the 35-person class.