Introduction to Women's Studies

Spring '01 -- Drs. Nancy Goldberg and Jackie Eller

"The time has come to define feminism; it is no longer possible to ignore it."
The Century 1914

Contents of this Page

LINKS:

TEXTS

Women: Images and Realities, A Multicultural Anthology, 2nd ed
Amy Kesselman, Lily D. McNair and Nancy Schniedewind

Assigned readings distributed in class or on reserve

COURSE OBJECTIVES

This course will provide students with a basic understanding of women's lives and roles, centering on American and world culture. Readings, activities, and projects include an historical overview as well as an intensive examination of important factors affecting the status of women in the contemporary world. This course provides important work in critical and thinking skills, particularly about the ways in which social forces shape us as gendered individuals (women and men) and how we respond to these forces.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Attendance and preparation are required. You are also expected to contribute to class discussions. It is strongly encouraged that you work with other students and ask questions in class. The time we spend together will be devoted to lectures, discussions, and exercises. Remember you have something valuable to say and what you learn from this class will be in proportion to what you put into it.

2. Reading quizzes (200 points)
Dates to be announced -- some will be in-class, some will be reaction essays, and some will be take-home.

3. Attendance at 5 events at the Women and Power conference and/or National Women's History Month (50 pts.)

4. Class and e-group participation -- minimum of 3 relevant postings (50 pts.)

5. Final project -- due the day of presentation but not later than 4/30. Handout to follow

Final grades will be computed through a simple tally of points using the following scale:

Jan 8 -- Introductions to each other and the course

10 -- What is women's studies? What is feminism
- Read: 7-38

12 -- History of Feminism: "First Wave"
- Read: 479-488; handouts

17 -- Suffrage movement in the U.S.; short film

19 -- Women in Peace
- Read: handout: Sara Ruddick, "Preservative Love"

22 -- Women in War
- Discussion of short films

24 -- "Second and Third" waves;
- Read: 488-516; 532-543

26 -- Film: Daughters of de Beauvoir

29 -- Becoming a woman
- Read: Part II: 39-64

31 -- Learning sexism
- Read: 65-73; 80-105

Feb 2 -- Film Still Killing Us Softly

5 -- Body issues
- Read Part III 108-134

7 -- Finish discussion
-- Film Breasts
- Read: PMS handout

9 -- Discuss the film, breast implant article and PMS article
-- menstruation website and weekend exercise

12 -- Women's health
- Read: "Women and medicalization," "Sexual politics of sickness"

14 -- continue
- Read: "The body politics," "Anorexia nervosa and bulimia: the development of a deviant identity"
- depression survey

- Read: 274-287 16 -- Continue
- takehome quiz

19 -- Institutions and women's lives: education
- complete analysis of your classes
- Read: 73-80

21 -- Institutions and women's lives: the law
- Read: 166-187

23 -- Institutions and women's lives: religion
- Read: 288-298

26 -- Differences and connections: race; film The Long Walk Home
- Read: 303-317

28 -- Differences and connections: class; finish film
- Read: 317-337

Mar 2 -- Discussion of film

5 -- Quiz -- 30 pts.
- Politics and social activism
- Read: 533-552

7 -- Globalism
- Read: 517-526

9 -- Women and power conference
No class: attend morning event of conference, preferably Carol Queen at 8:15.

12 -- Women and work: an overview
- Read: 188-200

14 -- Welfare and unions
- Read: 210-231: internet sites

16 -- Professional and executives
- Read: handout

19 -- Women and family
- Read: 232-265: 200-209

21-23 -- Film discussion exercise (30 pts.) -- Fried Green Tomatoes, First Wives' Club, Strangers in Good Company, Joy Luck Club, Eve's Bayou, Go Fish

26-30 -- SPRING BREAK

April 2-4 -- Consequences of sexiam: family violence
- Read: 424-435; 456-472; handout

6 -- Consequences of sexism: sexual harassment
- Read: 410-422

9-11 -- Consequences of sexism: rape and date rape
- Read: 436-455
- quiz on 11th - 30 pts. - Discuss class presentations

13 -- GOOD FRIDAY -- NO CLASS

16 -- Consequences of sexism: international human rights
- Read: handouts

18 -- Consequences of sexism: reproductive rights
- Read: 387-409

20 -- Consequences of sexism: genital mutilation
- Read: handouts

23-30 -- STUDENTS PRESENTATIONS --approximately 10 minutes each

May 4 -- Culminating activity