Essay for next week (choose one question and answer it in 750-1000 words):

• On average, men and women appear physically different and often exhibit different behavior. However, many sociologists assert that gender is a social construct. Simone de Beauvoir, for example, famously stated: “One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman.” To what extent do you believe gender is a social construction? Use reason and evidence to support your thesis.
• In many contemporary societies there are controversies over technological developments that may possibly cause harm to people or the environment. Choose one such controversy that has been an issue in your country (it could be anything from GMO to industrial development, industrial/chemical waste, wireless networks, nuclear power, etc.), and explain the controversy in terms of Beck's concept of "risk society".