Ohio State University Spring 2012

WGSS 110: Gender, Sex, and Power

Central Classrooms Bldg 0222 MW 9:30-11:18 am

“I myself have never been able to find out precisely what feminism is: I only know that people call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a doormat.”

Rebecca West, 1913

Sierra Austin

Office: 037 University Hall

Office Hours: Mon 11:30-1:15 am and by appointment

E-mail:

Required Texts (available at SBX)

Reading Women’s Lives (please make sure that “Austin/Spring 2012” appears on the cover and title page)

CARMEN

Accommodation of students with disabilities

Students who have verification from Disability Services are responsible for contacting the instructor as soon as possible to make necessary arrangements. The Office of Disability Services (150 Pomerene Hall; 614-292-3307) verifies the need for accommodations and assists in the development of accommodation strategies.

WS 110 introduces students to a selection of topics and approaches to Women’s Studies. Women’s Studies is an interdisciplinary academic field that emerged in the early 1970’s with the increasing evidence that women’s experiences and contributions had been left out of academic curricula. Including women as subjects and pursuers of study not only generated additional information about women; it also exposed ways in which traditional standards and systems for gathering, viewing, and articulating knowledge were exclusive and biased, benefiting particular groups of people while oppressing others. Women’s Studies has shown how knowledge was skewed, and has imposed both new areas of study and the revisiting and reconceptualizing of existing disciplines. Women’s Studies demonstrates how gender- the socially constructed relations of the sexes- plays a major role in who we are and how we understand ourselves and the world, and how societies are structured. Recognizing that there are many differences among women, Women’s Studies emphasizes how gender intersects and interacts with other aspects of social relations and identity such as race, ethnicity, class, sexuality, etc. A Women’s Studies education also highlights interactive learning; links personal experience to political and social issues, and promotes community engagement and responsibility. In the world we live in today, the knowledge and skills learned in Women’s Studies are usefully applied in other academic areas, in many professions, and in all sectors of the economy.

Learning Objectives

  • To understand the ways in which women in all their diversity are affected by U.S. society, culture and institutions.
  • To understand the ways in which the diversity of women’s experiences impact one’s own attitudes and values.
  • To develop the abilities to recognize the importance of gender in shaping and organizing societal values.
  • To understand the ways in which gender informs theories and methods of inquiry.
  • To understand the role of gender in structuring policymaking.
  • To understand how ideas influence the character of human beliefs, perceptions of reality, and norms that guide human behavior.
  • To appreciate, analyze, and interpret major forms of human thought and expression.

Because this is a women’s studies course, all assignments are expected to reflect an understanding of feminist scholarship. We will practice looking through a feminist lens throughout the quarter in our discussions.

Class Ground Rules

It is critical that each class member works to help create a classroom environment that is comfortable, positive, and rewarding for everyone. This means trying to understand and accommodate different perspectives and styles of discussion. Sharing personal experiences and opinions is welcome in the classroom; however, students must connect their experiences to the ideas presented in the readings and by others. In discussions we will try to ensure the participation of all. If you have already spoken, you may be overlooked while someone else who hasn’t spoken yet is called on to speak. Students are expected to treat others with respect. This includes not using cell phones and Internet in class. It means not expressing judgment of people, even if you disagree with their views, and respecting confidentiality when students request it. This means not asking anyone to speak on behalf of groups they represent. It means being open to ways in which we fit into systems of oppression, either as beneficiaries and/or victims, without blaming ourselves or other individuals. It means that we may want to situate ourselves in our multiple identities (woman, man, black, white, homosexual, heterosexual, etc.) to help share and explain how we have experienced the world but, we must avoid creating a simplistic “us and them” approach.

Academic Misconduct and Plagiarism

As defined in the University Rule #3335-31-02, plagiarism is “the representation of another’s works or ideas as one’s own; it includes the unacknowledged word for word use and/or paraphrasing if another person’s work, and/or the inappropriate unacknowledged use of another person’s ideas. Plagiarism is one of the most serious offenses that can be committed in an academic community; as such, it is the obligation of this department and its instructors to report all cases of suspected plagiarism to the Committee on Academic misconduct. After the report is filed, a hearing takes place and if the student is found guilty, the possible punishment ranges from failing the class or expulsion from the university. Although the existence of the Internet makes it relatively easy to plagiarize, it also makes it even easier for instructors to find evidence of plagiarism. It is obvious to most teachers when a student turns in work that is not his/her own and plagiarism search engines makes documenting the offense very simple.

  • Always site your sources
  • Always ask questions before you turn in your assignment if you are uncertain about what constitutes plagiarism.
  • Always consult your TA if you are having difficulty with an assignment

Resources

Instructor: Please feel free to contact me at any time over the course of the quarter if you need assistance with course work. I am willing to work with you. E-mail is the best way to contact me. I will do my best to respond to your e-mails within 24 hours on weekdays, and by Sunday evening at the latest on weekends.

The OSU Writing Center: OSU Writing Center consultants are a great resource for writers at any level or stage of the writing process. Take advantage of the free individual tutoring that you can receive there. The Writing Center is located at 485 Mendenhall Laboratory.

Phone: 614-688-4289

Website:

Required Work and Grading

Attendance & Participation (45pts): It is expected that you will be an active and informed participant in class discussions/activities and that you will have read assigned texts by the dates indicated on the syllabus. You are permitted two excused absences during the quarter. Note that half classes will count as absences. For each reading, please post to CARMEN a few sentences doing one of the following: 1) explaining why a particular passage is especially important, puzzling, or provocative (give page number and paragraph number), 2) making a connection to another text/lecture from this class, 3) posing a critical question (that is, a question that looks at assumptions, inferences, consequences, perspectives of the reading). Carmen responses must be posted by 9 p.m. the night before class.

Our CARMEN course site will be a primary means of communication throughout the course. You are responsible for noting any assignments or updates posted to the site. Visit CARMEN as you prepare for each class period. Please be prepared to discuss your comments with the class. Please feel free to bring (tangible) evidence supporting your comments/arguments for class discussion (i.e. poem, work of art, advertisement, article of clothing, link, song, video clip, etc…)

Media Guides (50pts): Students will complete an in-class guide during the viewing of films and documentaries in order to make connections between films/documentaries and class texts. Students must be present (or communicate anticipated absences to me prior to the viewing) in order to receive credit for these assignments (see dates below).

Midterm Exam(50pts): A midterm exam consisting of multiple choice and short answer responses will be given on Monday April 23rd.

Short Paper (50pts): This formal paper is an analysis of a class reading, discussion, lecture, or film (in-class). A paper must have a thesis, introduction, supporting evidence (skillfully integrate at least two quotations) a conclusion and a works cited page. Papers should be double-spaced, in Times New Roman, 12 point font, have ample margins, and properly indented paragraphs. Papers must be at least five pages in length (not including the works cited page). If you write about a film, class discussion or lecture and cannot get an exact quote, you may either paraphrase with a citation and/or bring quotes from another document. Due Wednesday May 30th.

Optional Extra Credit (10pts): Attend an event on campus or in the local community that relates to our course. Summarize the event in two to three pages and discuss the ways in which it relates to any aspect of the course. Attach a copy of a handout, flyer or program distributed at the event. Extra credit must be submitted on Wednesday May 30th. Check CARMEN periodically for suggested events.

Final Exam(100pts): A midterm exam consisting of multiple choice and short answer responses will be given on Monday June 4th.

Schedule of Class Meetings

All readings must be completed by class time on the date listed in the syllabus. The following is a tentative schedule; I may change readings, due dates, or assignments. It is your responsibility to make sure that you are aware of any changes and any other additional information related to this course.

Introduction and Overview

Mon Mar 26

Documentary: Killing Us Softly

Approaching Feminism and Women’s Studies

Wed Mar 28

“I’m Not a Feminist, But…’: Popular Myths about Feminism Penny Weiss

Fear of Feminism: Why Young Women Get the Willies Lisa Marie Hogeland

The Women’s Movements- First Wave

Mon Apr 2

Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions The Seneca Falls Women’s Rights Convention of 1848

Ain’t I A Woman Sojourner Truth

Film: Iron Jawed Angels

Wed Apr 4

Film: Iron Jawed Angels (cont’d)

Understanding Difference, Inequality, and Intersectionality

Mon Apr 9

Age, Race, Class, and Sex: Women Redefining Difference Audre Lorde

The Other Body: Reflections on Difference, Disability, and Identity Politics Ynestra King

Wed Apr 11

Homophobia: A Weapon of Sexism Suzanne Pharr

On Campus, Rethinking Biology 101 Bernstein

Clips: Gender Identity Project and The Today Show (K. Farmer)

Violence Against Women and the LGBTQ Community

Mon Apr 16

Documentary: Domestic Violence in America

Wed Apr 18

Why It Matters CARMEN (upload question to the appropriate dropbox)

Guest Speaker

Gary Health

Domestic Violence Program Coordinator

Buckeye Region Anti-Violence Organization

A Black Feminist Statement Combahee River Collective

Introduction to “Home Girls: A Black Feminist Anthology” Barbara Smith

Midterm Exam

Mon Apr 23

Wed Apr 25

Oppression Marilyn Frye

White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Backpack Peggy McIntosh

Learning Gender Roles

Mon Apr 30

Becoming a Gendered Body: Practices of Preschools Martin

Why Boys Don’t Play with Dolls Katha Pollitt

Clip: The Today Show (My Princess Boy)

Documentary: Tough Guise

Performing Gender Roles

Wed May 2

I Want a Wife Judy (Syfers) Brady

Singlism: The Twenty-First Century Problem That Has No Name Bella DePaulo (CARMEN)

Episode: Sex and the City

The Body Politic

Mon May 7

Excerpt from “The Beauty Myth” Naomi Wolf

Documentary: Miss Representation

Wed May 9

Towards a Genealogy of Black Female Sexuality: The Problematic of Silence Evelynn M. Hammonds

An Introduction of Sorts for Hip Hop Feminism Gwendolyn Pough

Documentary: Beyond Beats and Rhymes

Wed May 14

Dyes and Dolls: Multicultural Barbie and the Merchandizing of Difference Ann duCille

Straightening Our Hair bell hooks

Clips: The Tyra Show

Global Feminisms

May 16

Bringing the Global Home Charlotte Bunch

Fantasy Islands: Exploring the Demand for Sex Tourism Julia O’Connell Davidson and Jacqueline Sanchez Taylor (CARMEN)

Documentary: The Day My God Died

Women and the Paid Labor Force/ Balancing Work and Family

Mon May 21

The Mommy Wars: How the Media Turned Motherhood Into a Catfight Susan Douglas & Meredith Michaels

Wed May 23

Guest Speaker: Courtnee Carrigan (upload question to the appropriate dropbox)

Director of Program Development, Community Advocacy and Partnerships

YWCA Columbus

Mon May 28

MEMORIAL DAY—NO CLASS

Wed May 30

Paper Due/Presentations

Extra Credit Due/Presentations

Potluck

FINAL EXAM

Mon Jun 4

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