Introduction to Feminist Theory
INTRODUCTION TO FEMINIST THEORY
Women’s Studies 0500 (CRN 14996)
T/TH 1:00-2:15 - 2201 WWPH
Dr. Frayda Cohen, 2206 Posvar Hall
Women’s Studies Program
University of Pittsburgh
Email -
Phone – 412-624-0326
OFFICE HOURS – Tues. and Thurs. 2:15PM –3:00PM; Wed. 1:00-3:00PM
and by appointment.
Class contact # 1______email ______
Texts
Course Reading Packet. Available online through course web. (CW)
2000 Kolmar, Wendy & Frances Bartkowski, eds. Feminist Theory: A Reader.
Mountain View, CA: Mayfield Press. (FTR)
2003 Saul, Jennifer. Feminism: Issues and Arguments. New York: OxfordUniversity
Press. (Saul)
Course Objectives
This course is an interdisciplinary introduction to the core feminist ideas and debates concerning gender, women and men, and their political, social and economic positions over the last two hundred years. Feminism is a relatively recent term coined in France in the 1880s and thus one must question the ways in which this term is used by very different women across time and space. In short, what is “feminism” and what constitutes “theory”?
While we will focus on the United States, there will be some engagement with global feminist perspectives on gender, race, class, and sexuality. In keeping with the activist nature of feminist theory, this course will approach “theory” as attempts to answer fundamental questions about the practices that shape our everyday lives, rather than merely a collection of texts. Theory in this sense is a tool for thinking systematically about how the world works, and for constructing arguments about how it should work. Consequently, we will pay particular attention to the (de)construction of power in both public and private relations as we critically analyze texts, discuss and present ideas in class, and complete organized written analyses that build on feminists who have come before us.
Course Policies
Attendance: VERY IMPORTANT
You are paying for an opportunity to learn. Absences hurt your ability to learn and they hurt your grade.Signing up for this class indicates that you are committed to being here for the full class period each class meeting. For the purposes of this policy, you are either present for an entire class meeting or not. Late arrivals and early departures will count as absences ― really.
You are allowed two unexcused absences over the course of the semester. Save them up for those awful sick days when you can’t drag yourself to class without pain and embarrassing bouts of nausea. For each absence above two, your semester grade will be reduced by 1/2 grade. Further, in-class assignments and quizzes cannot be made up. If you miss class, you are still responsible for whatever was covered in lecture and discussion that day. YOUR PROFESSOR IS VERY SERIOUS ABOUT THIS POLICY, AND SHE ENFORCES IT.
Unexcused absences in excess of two will be excused only under exceptional and unavoidable circumstances. Requests for excused absences must be submitted in writing, with documentation, and immediately upon a student’s return to class. Students who enroll late are not exempt from this policy.
Assignments and Extensions
Assignments (except for quizzes, in-class work, and the like) will be announced well in advance of due dates. If you know in advance that you can’t make a due date, please discuss it with me beforehand. In all other cases, late assignments will not be accepted.
Grades
I am eager to help you do well on assignments BEFORE they are due. Please visit me during office hours to ask me questions when you are working on an assignment or reviewing material. Grades are final. I grade assignments and quizzes on performance, not effort. Final grades will be based on the standard university percentage scale.
The professor reserves the right to adjust students’ semester grades based upon her evaluation of their overall performance.
Accommodations
If you require special testing accommodations or other classroom modifications, please notify both the professor and Disability Resources and Services by the end of the first week of the term. If you have a disability, please let me know as early as you can so that I can accommodate you.
Disability Resources and Services, 140 William Pitt Union, 412-648-7890 or 412-383-7355 (TTY). DRS will verify your disability and determine reasonable accommodations for this course.
Nondiscrimination Statement
As a professor at the University of Pittsburgh, I value equality of opportunity, human dignity, and racial/ethnic/cultural diversity. Be assured that I will promote a safe and conducive environment for learning. In accordance with University policy, I will not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, disability, or status as a disabled veteran or a veteran of the Vietnam era. In addition to the University’s policy, and within the bounds of the course, I do not discriminate on the basis of political creed. This means that you do not have to agree with me in order to do well in this course. So long as you demonstrate an understanding of the course material, you are under no obligation to agree with it. I also make every effort to avoid discrimination on the basis of class or income. If there is something I can do to make the class more hospitable, please let me know.
Other Policies You Should Know
Student Code of Conduct: [
Academic Integrity: [
Plagiarism is using someone else’s ideas as your own. If you use someone else’s ideas, you are expected to cite them. If you use someone else’s exact words, even if it is part of a sentence, you should put quotation marks around them and cite them. Plagiarism is a serious academic offense and can result in failure of the assignment, the course, and other serious sanctions. If you have any questions about plagiarism, please see me.
Ground Rules for Class Discussion
Discussion will make up a great percentage of our time in class. Following a few basic discussion guidelines will help insure that this time is productive, enlightening and fun.
1. Follow the golden rule. Treat others as you would like to be treated.
2. Wait your turn – do not interrupt others.
3.You do not have to express your own opinion on a subject. You are also free to change your mind on any topic at any time.
4.Disagreements are natural and welcome in scholarly discussion. So are arguments. But arguments are not contests. You should grant the same courtesy and respect to the people with whom you disagree that you would want for yourself.
- Students bring lots of interesting experiences to the classroom, and you are encouraged to bring up your experience when it is relevant to class discussion (and when you feel comfortable doing so). Everyone’s personal experience deserves respect. But if you bring up your own experience in class, please recognize that it becomes a public topic for discussion. Others may interpret your experience differently than you do, and they are free to respectfully disagree with your interpretation.
Course Requirements: Total 400 Points
I. CLASS ATTENDANCE & PARTICIPATION (50 points):
It is very important that you attend all sessions to benefit fully from the readings, lectures, and class discussion. In order to participate actively in discussion, you should prepare the assigned readings before class begins. Participating in discussion is one of the best ways to learn. However, I cannot help you learn in this forum if you do not talk during class. You are expected to contribute your insights to the class and treat your classmates’ contributions with respect, which means taking them seriously and challenging them as well as extending basic courtesy.
- Prepare 2 or 3 discussion questions for each class.
II. Writing Journals (150 Points)
Throughout the semester you will be compiling a writing journal that will consist of a total of 6 assignments: 4 reaction papers, one writing comments, and one event paper (see following for details). Each assignment will be graded on a 30 point scale and the lowest grade will be dropped. All papers should be saved and turned back in as a completed journal at the end of the semester.
Note: Email submissions are NOT acceptable. If you are unable to attend class you may email the paper to meet the deadline but must still submit a hardcopy of the paper for comments. Please note that email is unreliable so I recommend uploading the paper to course web.
1. Reaction Papers:
You will be required to turn in a total of 4 short essays that cover the weekly readings. The essay should be organized with an introduction, body and conclusion and should contain a brief discussion of the key points of the readings, and should also very briefly critique and/or raise questions about the readings. The best papers will connect ideas and themes across various readings. Papers should be roughly 2-3 pages in length and are due in class on the day the readings are designed for discussion. No more than one paper per theme (e.g. Setting the Agenda) should be submitted.
- You may decide which days to write and turn in a reaction paper. However, one paper must be turned in by each deadline.
2. Writing Comments:
Two writing workshops will be held in class in which students can trade papers and work with each other to improve their submissions. Students’ comments from the second workshop will be reviewed for credit.
3. Women’s Studies Event Paper
Students are required to attend one Women’s Studies Event and write a 2-3 page reaction paper on the event and the ways in which that experience fits with or challenges course readings and discussions.
III. EXAMS (200 Points)
Quizzes (2 @ 50 points for a total 100 points):
Two primarily multiple choice quizzes will be given. No make-up quizzes will be given.
Final Exam (100 points):
The exam will be a take-home essay on topics assigned no later thanDec. 8, 2009. The papers are due (in the Women’s Studies Program office) NO LATER than 4:30PM on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2009.
Semester Schedule of Readings and Assignments
Week 1 : INTRODUCTION
September 1Overview of Class
September 3POLITICAL RIGHTS & REPRESENTATION
Discuss: 1792-1920 Introduction (FTR)
Susan B. Anthony (CW)
Sojourner Truth (FTR)
Elizabeth Cady Stanton (FTR pp.71-74)
Frederick Douglass (FTR)
Week 2 : SETTING THE AGENDA
September 8 Film: Emma Goldman
September 10WOMEN, MONEY, & THE FAMILY
Discuss: 1920-1963 Introduction (FTR)
Friedrich Engels (FTR)
Margaret Sanger (FTR)
Emma Goldman (FTR)
Week 3: SETTING THE AGENDA: THE SECOND WAVE
September 15 Film: Rosie the Riveter
Read: Lexicon of the debates (FTR pp.42-60)
September 17 THE PROBLEM WITH NO NAME
Discuss: 1963-1975 Introduction (FTR)
Simone de Beauvoir (FTR)
Betty Friedan (FTR)
Koedt (TBA)
Week 4: THE RADICALS
September 22SISTERHOOD AND COALITION Discuss: SCUM Manifesto (FTR)
M.A. Weathers (FTR)
CombaheeRiver Collective Statement (FTR)
The Bitch Manifesto (FTR)
NOW Statement of purpose (FTR)
Radicalesbians (FTR)
DEADLINE: AT THIS POINT, AT LEAST ONE
REACTION PAPERS SHOULD HAVE BEEN TURNED IN.
September 24 NO CLASS (G20) – ONLINE DISCUSSION
Week 5: THE SECOND WAVE & WOMEN’S “LIB”
September 29FRAMEWORKS OF POWER
Discuss: 1975-1985 Introduction (FTR)
Ortner (FTR)
Rubin (FTR)
Frye (FTR)
Wittig ORRich (FTR)
October 1DECONSTRUCTING THEORY
Discuss: Alcoff (FTR)
Foucault (CW)
Week 6: COMPLICATIONS & BACKLASH
October 6“DIFFERENCE”
Discuss: Mohanty (FTR)
*Davis (CW)
*Hill Collins (CW)
*Narayan (FTR)
Anzaldua (FTR)
October 8CRISIS POINT
Discuss: Faludi (CW)
Scott (FTR)
Paglia (CW)
DEADLINE: AT THIS POINT, AT LEAST TWO
REACTION PAPERS SHOULD HAVE BEEN TURNED IN.
Week 7: CRISIS & RESPONSE
October 13NO CLASS - FALL BREAK
October 153Rd Wave - WHAT IS IT?
Discuss: Heywood & Drake (CW)
Manifesta (CW)
WRITING WORKSHOP
Week 8: WORKSHOP
October 20Discuss: Levine (CW)
Walker (CW)
REVIEW for Quiz
October 22DUE: Mid-Term Quiz
Week 9 : FEMINIST KNOWLEDGE
October 27FEMINIST STANDPOINT
Discuss: Saul (Chapter 8)
Hartsock (CW)
Hill Collins (CW)
October 29FEMINISM & SCIENCE Discuss: Harding (FTR)
Martin (CW)
Video: Evelyn Fox Keller
Week 10: PORNOGRPAHY & SEXUALITY
November 3 Discuss: MacKinnon (CW)
Dworkin (CW)
November 5Discuss: Saul (Chapter 3)
Vance (CW)
DEADLINE: AT THIS POINT, AT LEAST THREE
REACTION PAPERS SHOULD HAVE BEEN TURNED IN.
Week 11 : WORKSHOP
November 10WRITING WORKSHOP
November 12Discuss: Saul (Chapter 5)
Film: Killing Us Softly
Week 12 :MEDIA AND THE FEMINIST BODY
November 17Discuss: Wolff (CW)
Bordo – Material Girl (CW)
DUE: Reaction Paper #3 Rewrites
November 19Discuss: Bordo – Anorexia Nervosa (CW)
Film: Recovering Bodies
Week 13 : MEDIA AND THE FEMINIST BODY
November 24Discuss: Julier (CW)
November 26NO CLASS - THANKSGIVING
Week 14 : FEMINIST LEGACY
December 1 Discuss: Halberstam (FTR)
King (FTR)
DEADLINE: AT THIS POINT, ALL FOUR REACTION
PAPERS SHOULD HAVE BEEN TURNED IN.
DUE: Completed Journals
December 3 NO CLASS – ONLINE POSTING
Week 15 : WRAP-UP & QUIZ
December 8Wrap-up and Review for Quiz
December 10DUE: Final Quiz
JOURNALS RETURNED
Week 16 : FINAL PAPER
DUE: FINAL PAPER - THURSDAY December 18 BY 4:30 in the Women’s Studies main office.
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