East China Normal University is offering an optional "women's studies" course this semester, which more than 40 students, including four young men, have elected to take, the Shanghai-based website www.eastday.com reports.

The course, a new one for every student, is aimed at helping female students understand themselves better and encouraging male students to show women greater respect.

"We are not simply born women but grow up to become women," said Professor Geng Wenxiu of the university's Women's Research Centre, explaining that aside from those natural psychological and physical characteristics that define women, social culture also contributes greatly to the perception and formation of femininity.

"Through the learning, women will get a clear understanding of their own strong points and weak points," Geng added. Thus, they can establish a more co-operative relationship with their male counterparts instead of sheer confrontation.

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