Description
We are taught that people with XX chromosomes are female and those with XY are male. This is simplistic and a seriously incomplete distinction. From a biological perspective, sex and gender are only loosely coupled. In 1936 the Olympic Committee attempted to distinguish male from female athletes. Eighty years later, they still have yet to find any definitive test. This two-part class explores the complex factors that ultimately define a person’s place in the gender spectrum and provides a scientific basis for understanding this diversity.
Creve Maples has a degree in chemistry (MIT) and a PhD in nuclear science (UC Berkeley). He has worked in academia and the private sector, designing advanced computers and developing virtual reality systems. His interest in history and archaeology led to the formation of companies active in these areas. These classes result from a scientific curiosity and desire to explore unusual, thought-provoking topics.