Women Cross Culturally
Anthropology 4110/Gender Studies4110 (3 credit hrs, IR & BS) Spring 2018
Rebecca Olsen (email:) Marriott Library #1130
CANVASto communicate with teacher and turn in assignments Mondays 6 – 9 pm
Office hours: after class or arrange appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION- Anthropological fieldwork and theories bring insight into the variety of cultural beliefs and social patterns that influence the lives of women. We will make a cross-cultural investigation of the wide spectrum of women’s experiences in hunter-gatherer, nomadic, horticultural, agricultural, indus-trial, and developing societies. We use lecture, discussions, readings, exams and research. Topics include:
- Marriage and reproduction: menstrual taboos, breast-feeding, sexuality, and various marriage configurations (polygamy, polyandry, child marriage, arranged).
- Spiritual women: shaman, witches, midwives, Mother Earth, and goddesses.
- The sexual division of labor; public and domestic spheres; and the culture/nature paradigm.
- Current issues: female circumcision, sex trafficking, rape, honor killings, dowry deaths, female infanticide, and cultural relativism vis-a-vis human rights.
REQUIRED TEXTSare available at U bookstore,on reserve at Marriott, andon Amazon, etc.
- Elizabeth Warnock Fernea, Guests of the Sheik
- Kris Holloway, Monique and the Mango Rains: Two Years with a Midwife in Mali
E–RESERVESarticles on this syllabus areavailable online through the Marriott Library course reserves.
Find “Course Reserves” tab, enter “Olsen 4110”. NOTE: Some readings may be updated during semester.
COURSE OBJECTIVES At the end of the course students will be able to:
1) compare and contrast various aspects of women’s lives cross culturally, e.g. marriage, birthing, economic, religious, modesty, sexuality, with men from their culture.
2) demonstrate their understanding of biological and cultural approaches to explaining aspects of women’s lives in different types of cultures.
3) explain how various cultural aspects, i.e., religion, ideas, beliefs, history, biology, etc. affect women’s status and opportunitiesin their societies.
4) design and research a topic or question that relates to our course topics on women cross culturally.
GRADES are based on the percentage of total points earned during the semester. 73% is passing.
A93–100% / A–90–92.9%B+87–89.9% / B83–86.9% / B–80–82.9%
C+77–79.9% / C73–76.9% / C–70–72.9%
D+67–69.9% / D63–66.9% / D–60–62.9%
E59% and below
COURSE REQUIREMENTS POINTS are earned in these four areas(# of points approximate)
- Three exams(100pts, 110pts, 110 pts) Exams are taken in class. = 320
Exam format includes:definitions, multiple choice, true/false, short answers, and
essay questions. Essay questions are take-home with one week tocomplete. The final
isnot comprehensive. NOTE: If a student is absent withoutprior notification and prior
arrangements, there will not be a makeup without doctor, police, or hospital verification.
2. Ethnography Quizzes- Guests of the Sheik(20); Monique and the Mango Rains(20) = 40
3. Outline (bullet points, chart, etc.) and discuss one article from syllabus:= 10
Each student will be assigned an article on the syllabus. Students submit
(Canvas “ASSIGNMENT”) a short bullet point list of the 4-6 main ideas andimportant
facts in their assigned article 48 hours before class. Students’ bullet points will be
projected for the class to look at while teacher andstudents discuss.
4. Assignment: Select book, topic, question = 30 points
Students select topic, book, question etc.to explore – must be approved
individually by the teacher. Students will answer questions about your TOTAL = 400 points
topic, it will be submitted through TURNITIN via CANVAS.
Reading Schedule and Course Outline
Readings are online through Course-Reserves at the Marriott Library. It is best to have these assigned readings completed before you come to class – I recommend that you print out the readings and bring them to class as we will be referring to them. ASSIGNED READINGS- you should read all required articles --- Those with an asterisk * are most important, with more info on the test, etc. --- Those marked “below this line not required” – read, if possible, to get the “gist” – these readings discuss important, relevant ideas which will be referred to in class. A few readings may be updated during the semester.
Monday - Jan 8 INTRODUCTION – culture/nature/both
Below this line not required
War Against Women by Emily MacFarquhar
The Global War Against Women
Internationalization of Women’s Issues by Luisita Torregrosa
Speaking While Female by Sandberg (listed as “Sheryl Sandberg on Why Women Stay Quiet”)
Why Men Need Women by Adam Grant
Monday - Jan 15 * * NO CLASS * * M L King
Monday - Jan 22 DOMESTIC AND PUBLIC WORLDS
*No Girls Allowed by Thomas Gregor
Look Behind the Veil byElizabeth and R. Fernea
Life Behind the Veil by Cherry and Charles Lindholm
Below this line not required
Standoff at Western Wall over Praying by Women by Jodi Rudoren
Worldliness, Anxiety, and Head Scarves by Celestine Cohlen Shop Girls: The Art of Selling Lingerie by Katherine Zoepf
Making Sense of la Difference by Barbara Ehrenreich
Old Tactic Gets New Use: Public Schools Separate Girls & Boys by Motoko
Creating Separate Classes for Boys and Girls: NY Times
Jewish Woman told to change seats away from man
Monday – Jan 29 EVOLUTION, PREHISTORY SEXUAL DIVISION OF LABOR
Quiz: GUESTS OF THE SHEIK quiz; class discussion
*Society and Sex Roles byErnestine Friedl
Weighing the Grandma Factor: In Some Societies, It’s a Matter of Life and Death by N Angier
Below this line not required
Some Women that Never Evolved by Sarah Hrdy
What Are Men Good For? by Jared Diamond
Pretty Shield (Native American voice )
Woman the Hunter: The Agta
Why Women Left Home by Marvin Harris
Monday – Feb 5 CULTURAL CONSTRUCTION OF GENDER
*Sex and Temperament by Margaret Mead
*Neither Man nor Woman by Serena Nanda
Below this line not required
Benefits for Nonhomophobic Societies by W. Williams (good examples of “3rd” genders)
Dude, Close Your Legs: MTA Fights a Scourge by Emma Fitzsimmons
Surviving Your Teens by Elizabeth Gleik
Eskimo Women by Jean Briggs (chapter in Never in Anger)
Etsu by Etsu Sugimoto (chapter - Japanese gender roles)
Monday - Feb 12 * * Mid-Term #1 * * IN CLASS
Monday – Feb 19 * * NO CLASS * * Presidents Day
Monday –Feb 26 SEXUALITY AND MATING
*Why Don't We Act Like the Opposite Sex? by Anthony Layng
*Mating Game by William Allman
Below this line not required
Men, Women, Sex & Darwin by Natalie Angier
Status, Property, and the Value on Virginity by Alice Schlegel
Pity the Poor Stepmom by Kathryn Harrison
Turkey Ends Forced Tests for Virginity
South Africa’s Public Virginity Tests in SL Tribune
Monday - Mar 5 MARRIAGE AND KINSHIP
** DUE**Student choice submitted for approval by teacher via CANVAS by 11:59 tonight– book, culture, custom, question to research for assignment due date: April 7th deadline
*Origin of Male Supremacy by Marvin Harris
(NOTE: an important handout with TERMS on it can be used as you read this to get definitions)
*When Brothers Share a Wife byMelvyn Goldstein
Land of the Walking Marriage by Yuan and Mitchell
Below this line not required
Four-Year Itch by Helen Fisher
I Want a Wife by Judy Syfers - (this can be Googled, it is not on course reserves)
Who Needs Love! In Japan Couples Don’t by Nicholas Kristof
Where Fat Is a Mark of Beauty by Ann Simmons
Minangkabau Matriarchy
Hey Mom, Call Me When You Find My Wife by Ji Hyun Lee
Arranging a Marriage in India by S. Nanda
Uncertain Objects of Desire by Atlantic Monthly
One Bride for Two Brothers: A Custom Fades in India by Lydia Polgreen
Afghan Women Protest New Law on Home Life – D. Filkins in NYTimes
Open Eyes to Suffering of Afghan Women by Ellen Goodman
More Men Marrying Wealthier Women by S. Roberts
Monday - Mar 12 REPRODUCTIVE LIFE CYCLE
Quiz: MONIQUE AND THE MANGO RAINS quiz; class discussion
*Theorists See Evolutionary Advantages in Menopause by Natalie Angier
Taboo of Menstruation in NYTimes
Death without Weeping by Scheper-Hughes
Below this line not required
Why Women Change by Jared Diamond
If Men Could Menstruate by Gloria Steinem
Woman’s Curse? by Meredith Small
Is Forced Fatherhood Fair? By L. Shrage
Parental Favoritism Toward Daughters by Lee Cronk
Our Babies, Ourselves by Meredith Small
Wives and Co-Wives (chap7)First Birth (chap 8) by Marjorie Shostak & Nisa
Why Johnny Can’t Sleep by Robert Wright
Monday - Mar 19 * * NO CLASS * * Spring Break
Monday - Mar 26 * * Mid-Term #2 * * IN CLASS
Monday–Apr 2 RELIGION- Goddesses, Witches, Venus statues, and Mother Earth
Healing Ritual by Marjorie Shostak and Nisa (hunter/gatherer)
Shaman’s Apprentice by Laural Kendall (traditional religion in industrialized, modern society)
Below this line not required
Goddess Myth by Judith Antonelli
Goddesses & Witches + Judaism, Christianity, Islam by Renzetti and Curran
Challenges to Religious Patriarchy by Claire Renzetti
When the Predator Had a Woman’s Face by Barbara Ehrenreich
Ecstasy: (Female Korean Shaman) in Natural History
Islam’s Shame by Ibn Warraq
** DUE ** Saturday- April 7 by 11:59 pm– term assignment submitted through CANVAS Assignments (TURNITIN filter)Questions on the topic student selected and submitted by March 5 for teacher approval.
Monday -April 9 WOMEN EXPLOITED
*Rape Free or Rape Prone by Beryl Benderly
Dowry Murders by Fergus Bordewich
I Was Wounded; My Honor Wasn't by S. Abdulali
Below this line not required
India, Porn and Sexual Violence by M. Thekaekara
ISIS Enshrines a Theology of Rape by Rukmini Callimachi
Parents Fly in African Elders to Circumcise Daughters by N. Woolcock
Mutilated in the Name of Tradition by Melvin Konner
Honor Killing Leaves Two Daughters Dead in NYT
Dishonorable Affair (honor killing) by Katherine Zoepf
India Asks Mothers to Abandon Babies, Not Kill Them by S. Prasad
For Prostitutes Jailed in China, Forced Labor in NYT
Born to Die by Vasanti
Whose Baby Is She, Anyway? inThe Hindu
Necessary Ban in Times of India
Childhood Lost to Pay for Sins….. (For Punishment of Elders Misdeed) by A. Rubin
China’s Brutal One-Child Policy by Ma Jian
Wave of Sexual Abuse Allegations for Private Boys’ Schools in Britain by Castle
Nawal (pages 4-8) by Nawal
Africans Keep Rite of Girls’ Circumcision in Washington Post
Talking Female Circumcision out of Existence by Tina Rosenberg
What about Female Genital Mutilation….. Understanding Culture by Shweder
Monday-April 16 COLONIALISM AND THE FUTURE
*Graduate of the Year by Nicholas Kristof
*Testing Limits of Tolerance as Cultures Mix byBarbara Crossette
Women of the Future by C. Jones
Below this line not required
Native Americans & Violence against Women Act (Rape on a Reservation) by Louise Erdrich
Domestic Violence – Eskimo Style in NYT
Canada’s Tribal Women Fight Male Graft by J. Brooke
Don’t Get the Wrong Message by Susan Faludi
Monday - Apr 23 * * Mid-Term #3 * * IN CLASS
Note:Thesyllabusisnotabindinglegalcontract.Itmaybemodifiedbytheinstructorwhenthestudent isgivenreasonablenoticeofthemodification.
CLASS POLICIES
Respect Teacher and students will treat each other with respect at all times. You may not talk or disrupt when the teacher or other students are talking.
Attendance & Punctuality are important for learning. Students who read the assigned readings and come to class tend to do well. Missing class presentations and announcements hurts students on exams and assignments. Most PowerPoints used in class, as well as lecture notes, will not be available online because their format is designed for class explanation and discussion. Attendance is typically taken.
Class Participation is important and useful to the entire class.
Cell Phones and Computers can be used to take notes during class. There will be times when the teacher may request students to turn off both to take quiz, a guest speaker, a particular presentation. I have noticed a few students online (Facebook? shopping?) during class – missing all that information for tests and assignments.
Food and Drink are acceptable within reason. Please do not open noisy wrappers or get up to find a garbage can.
Anthropology DepartmentandUniversityof Utah Policies
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toitsprograms,services,andactivitiesforpeoplewithdisabilities.Ifyouwillneedaccommodationsinthis
class,reasonablepriornoticeneedstobegiventotheCenterforDisabilityServices,162OlpinUnionBuilding,
(801)5815020.CDSwillworkwithyouandtheinstructortomakearrangementsforaccommodations.All
writteninformationinthiscoursecanbemadeavailableinanalternativeformatwithpriornotificationto
theCenterforDisabilityServices.
AddressingSexualMisconduct:TitleIXmakesitclearthatviolenceandharassmentbasedonsexandgender
(whichincludessexualorientationandgenderidentity/expression)isaCivilRightsoffensesubjecttothe
same kindsofaccountabilityandthesamekindsofsupportappliedtooffensesagainstotherprotected
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statusorgeneticinformation.Ifyouorsomeoneyouknowhasbeenharassedorassaulted,youare
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cross‐culturaldifferences,etc.,caninterferewithastudent’sabilitytosucceedandthriveatthe UniversityofUtah.ForhelpfulresourcescontacttheCenterforStudentWellness ( 801‐581‐7776).
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IncompletePolicy:An"I"willonlybegivenforworknotcompletedbecauseofcircumstancesbeyond thestudent'scontrol,providingthestudentispassingthecourseandneedstocomplete20%orlessof thework.Validreasonsforan"I"gradeinclude:(a)Anillness(documentedbyamedicalstatement) thatprecludestheabilityofthestudenttoperform;(b)anaccidentorsituationthatpreventsthestudent
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Note:Thesyllabusisnotabindinglegalcontract.Itmaybemodifiedbytheinstructorwhenthestudent isgivenreasonablenoticeofthemodification.
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