Gender and Political Theory
790:365:01
Prof. Threadcraft
Office: Hickman Hall, Room
Office Hours: Monday: 12-2
Heldrich Science Building 206 D/C
M W 2:15-3:35pm
Course Description
“Gender and Political Theory” introduces students to the gendered nature of political theory that is usually rendered invisible at best and irrelevant at worst by the Western Canon of Political Theory. Applying a gendered lens to political theory provides students with new insights and alternative interpretations to political thinkers, themes, and categories that have historically been uncomplicated by serious considerations of gender, race, and class. The goal of this course is to understand the development of feminist interactions with mainstream political theory in order to assess the continued relevance of the relationship.
Required Reading:
- Princeton Readings in Political Thought, edited by Mitchell Cohen and Nicole Fermon. Princeton University Press, 1966.
- Okin, Susan Moller. Women in Western Political Thought. Princeton University Press, 1979.
- Hirschmann, Nancy. Gender, Class and Freedom in Modern Political Theory. Princeton University Press, 2008.
Course Requirements:
Attendance and Participation (20%): Attendance is required. A sign-in sheet will be provided at each class. Please be sure to sign the sheet. Please use the University absence reporting website to indicate the date and reason for your absence. An email is automatically sent to me.Students will be expected to attend class and to have read all materials to be discussed for that day.
Midterm In Class Exam and Take Home Essay (40%)
In Class Final ExamDec 18, 2013: 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM (40%):
Late papers will not be accepted without penalty unless excused by a note from your doctor or dean.
Late papers will be penalized one letter grade per day following the due date.
A letter from your Dean or Doctor is required for all make up exams
Late Policy:
Unless permission of instructor has been granted, an assignment will be marked down 5 points for each day it is late. For example, if the paper is due at 2 PM on a Wednesday and it is turned in at 3:30 PM on Thursday, it will be considered 2 days late and receive a 10-point deduction.
Academic Honesty:
Academic honesty is expected. Plagiarism of any kind will not be tolerated. If you have any questions please see or see me.
Week 1 (September 4)
Course Introduction
Week 2 (September 9, 11)
M Isaiah Berlin, “Two Concepts of Liberty”
Nancy Hirschmann, The Subject of Liberty, Introduction
WHirschmann, The Subject of Liberty, Chapter 4 and 6
Week 3 (September 16, 18)
M Plato, Book V of the Republic (discussion of the female guardians)
W Okin, “Introduction” and “Plato” (entire section)
Week 4 (September 23, 25)
M Aristotle, The Politics
WOkin, “Aristotle” (entire section)
Week 5 (September 30, October 2)
M Machiavelli, The Prince
WBrown, “Machiavelli: From Man to Manhood” and “Manhood and the
Political World” SAKAI
Week 6 (October 7, 9) – Note no class Wednesday!
MIn Class Exam
W No Class
Week 7 (October 14, 16)
MHobbes, Leviathan(Books 1 and 2)
WHirschman, “Hobbes” (selections)
Di Stefano, Christine, “Hobbesian (Hu) Man,” and
Brown, “What is to Be Overcome: The Politics of Domination and What is to Be Done: Toward a Post-Masculinist Politics”
Week 8 (October 21, 23)
M Locke, Second Treatise
WHirschmann, “Locke” (selections)
Pateman, The Sexual Contract (selections) SAKAI
Week 9 (October 28, 30)
M Rousseau, Wollstonecraft, “A Vindication of the Rights of Women”
W Okin, “Rousseau” (selections), Hirschman, “Rousseau” (selections)
Week 10 (November 4, 6)
M Mill, “Liberty” and “On the Subjection of Women”
WHirschmann, “Mill” (selections)
Week 11 (November 11, 13) – Midterm Essay Due WEDNESDAY
M Marx
WNicholson’s “Feminism and Marx: Integrating Kinship with
the Economic”
Hartmann’s “The Unhappy Marriage of Marxism and Feminism: Toward a More Progressive Union”
MacKinnon, “Feminism, Marxism, Method, and the State: An Agenda for
Theory” SAKAI
(Midterm Essay Due via Sakai)
Week 12 (November 18, 20)
MFoucault, Discipline and Punish, selections
WWendy Brown, Amy Allen, TBA
Week 13 (Nov 25 and 27)
Thanksgiving week, no class
Week 14 (December 2,4)
MRawls
WOkin, Justice and the Politics of Difference, Introduction, “Five Faces of Oppression”
Week 15 (December 9, 11)
Make up/Review
Final Exam Dec 18, 2013: 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM