WGST 2100.001 – Introduction to Women’s & Gender Studies
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 9:30am – 10:50am

Matthews Hall (MATT), room 102

Course Website: (Blackboard)
Instructor: Maia Cudhea, M.S.
Email:

***Email is, by far, the quickest and easiest way to contact me

Office: GAB 462
Office Hours:Fridays10:00am – 1:00pm, or by appointment

Department of Women’s & Gender Studies Office: GAB 467, (940) 565-2098

***The department office is a good point of contact if you need to leave something for me (I have a mailbox there) or if you need something urgent at the last minute (they have my cell # and can call me for you if necessary).

Alternate Office: Room 135, North Texas Student-Athlete Academic Center, Mean Green Village; (940) 369-7146

Alternate Office Hours: By appointment only

“Feminism is the struggle to end sexist oppression. Therefore, it is necessarily a struggle to eradicate the ideology of
domination that permeates Western culture on various levels, as well as a commitment to reorganizing society so that
the self-development of people can take precedence over imperialism, economic expansion, and material desires.”

― Bell Hooks, Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center

"Every daring attempt to make a great change in existing conditions, every lofty vision of
new possibilities for the human race, has been labeled Utopian." —Emma Goldman

Course Description & Objectives:

This course is an introduction to critical thinking about the construction of gender and the ways in which sex, gender, race, class, and sexuality merge and manifest themselves in social, cultural, and political contexts. We will also examine the way these "borders" intersect with systems of privilege and systems of oppression to create the context of women's experiences. Hence, perspectives of a diverse group of writers, researchers, and activists will be presented. Topics for study include gender and socialization, women's health, body image, women and family, violence against women, women and the workplace, and visions for social change. The broad range and diversity of material covered is intended to strengthen your skills of critical observation, thinking, and analysis.

By the end of this course students should be able to:

  1. Describe the broad diversity of women’s experiences
  2. Explain the concept of “gender” as a social construction
  3. Describe a variety of frameworks feminist scholarship (i.e. analysis of the nature of and solutions to gendered inequity)
  4. Improve their skills in critical thinking, observation, analysis, communication, and self-awareness

Text & Readings:

Required Text:

  • Women’s Voices, Feminist Visions: Classic & Contemporary Readings. Susan M. Shaw & Janey Lee.New York: McGraw-Hill, 2015. (ISBN 978-0-07-802700-0)
  • Additional readings are also assigned, from a variety of texts and journal articles. These readings are posted on Blackboard for students to print on their own. Full citation information for these readings is provided in the Course Bibliography posted on Blackboard. Please note that these online readings are just as required as those from the texts.

Each class meeting will cover and expand on the assigned selection of readings for that week. You are responsible for reading all of the assigned material beforeour class meetings and should come prepared to discuss, question, and build upon the assigned material. Failure to do so will make preparing for and completing assignments very difficult (and likely reduce your grade), as well as decrease the quality (and fun!) of class discussions.

Course Assignments/Components:

Class Attendance & Participation (REQUIRED):This is a largely discussion-based class, which means that the success of this course depends in large part on quality participation from all students. You are expected to participate fully, thoughtfully, and regularly in classroom discussions. I do realize that for some students, participating in class discussion may be difficult. If this applies to you, you need to make a special effort to push yourself to participate. If speaking in class is overwhelming, you can find some alternative ways to supplement your participation (such as emailing me additional written comments or questions before class, posting to our course Blackboard discussion boards when opportunities are available, etc.), but you will still need to participate in class some times. On the other hand, if you normally participate in class discussions a lot, you may need to check yourself to limit your speaking, making sure that you are leaving space open for others to participate in. If you are having difficulty with this component and need assistance, please contact me individually as soon as possible. If you wait until the end/nearly the end of the semester to speak up, my ability to help you will be severely limited.

Pop-Up Assignments (REQUIRED): There will be 5 unannounced “pop-up” assignments due throughout the semester. These are relatively small assignments; they will generally include a written component, but will not include extensive preparation (outside reading, research, extended length, etc.). These assignments should carefully follow the directions distributed with them, and be completed thoughtfully, including references to course material (readings, films, etc.) when appropriate/requested. Guidelines will be distributed in class (and usually posted online on well – though some pop-up assignments may require your presence in the class they were assigned in order to complete them). Each assignment is due at the date & time specified on the guidelines (either in class, or online, as indicated in the guidelines). Late or hand-written pop-up assignments will not be accepted.

Discussion Questions (REQUIRED): Each student is responsible for submitting discussion questions over the assigned readings, in advance of class. Discussion questions must be submitted 10 times over the course of the semester. You may spread these out however you like, but you may only submit a maximum of one discussion question per week (so make sure you do not put them off until the end of the semester, or you will not have time to complete them all). Please make sure that you are writing discussion questions, not exam questions. What’s the difference? Discussion questions are 1) relatively short but (hopefully!) clearly written 2) refer to a specific assigned reading (or readings) for the week 3) ask for more than what can be easily found in the text and 4) they require more than yes/no answers. Discussion questions should be submitted via email (to ), in plain text format, by 5pm on the day before class (i.e. by 5pm on Monday for readings assigned on Tuesdays, and by 5pm on Wednesday for readings assigned on Thursdays). Late or hand-written discussion questions will not be accepted.

Book Review (REQUIRED): Each student will select and read a book from the list below and write a 3 to 5 page book review which analyzes (not summarizes!) the work in the context of the course material and discussions. The book options are:

  • Women Hollering Creek Other Stories by Sandra Cisneros
  • The Red Tent by Anita Diamant
  • The Round House by Louise Erdrich
  • For Today I Am a Boy by Kim Fu
  • A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
  • Blanche on the Lam by Barbara Neely
  • Woman on the Edge of Time by Marge Piercy

You would be well advised to begin reading your selected book as soon as possible. You will submit a confirmation of which book you are reading/reviewing by Friday (9/30); after this date, book selections may not be altered. This assignment is due on Friday (10/28). More detailed guidelines for completion will be posted on Blackboard and discussed in class in the upcoming weeks.

Final “Praxis” Project (REQUIRED):The Final Project for this class will be a group-based action-oriented project, in which you will either 1) create a project to engage with a feminist-oriented issue or 2) create a work of feminist-oriented visual media (such as a short film). During class on 10/18 & 10/20 we will have a group formation and topic selection workshop, in which we will discuss the project in detail (including a breakdown of the grading criteria, which will also be posted online), brainstorm ideas, and finalize groups/projects. Your group will spend the rest of the semester completing the project, primarily outside of class (though I will provide short bits of in-class time to touch base with group members, whenever we have extra time). I realize that many of us don’t love group projects, and that working with others can be difficult. But such is life! The final group project will receive an overall grade, but each individual’s credit for this grade will also be modified on the basis of the other group members’ assessment of their contributions. Final Group Projects will be presented during our Final Exam period, Thursday, December 15th at 8am*.

*I know, I don’t like that time either, but that’s the university-assigned final exam time, and I am not empowered to change it!

Course Grades:

Your grade is made up of the following components:

Attendance (2 points per class x 29 classes= 58 points) & Participation (42 points)100 points

Discussion questions (5 points each x 10 due dates)50 points

Pop-up Assignments (10 points each x 5 due dates)50 points

Book Review 100 points

Final Group Project150 points
Total Possible Points = 450 points

Figuring your grade is very simple – you just add up the points. I do not average, divide, or do any “weird math”; I just add up the points. As such, any extra credit/bonus points awarded can be added to any assignment you like. Points are points are points; it does not matter how you add them up. I will simply sum your total and assign the appropriate grade as indicated in the chart below.

Points Earned / Grade Earned
400 and over / A
360 – 399 / B
315 – 359 / C
270 – 314 / D
269 and under / F

Extra Credit: Students may earn up to 30 points of extra credit through the Attendance Bonus (10 points, for missing 2 or fewer classes, all semester, for any reason) and Event-Based Extra Credit (10 points each, up to 2 may be completed). Details on how to earn these extra credit points can be found in the Extra Credit Addendum (posted online). Please note, that these are the only extra credit assignments you can count on being available. Any additional extra credit opportunities (which are unlikely!) will be offered to the class as a whole, and only at my discretion. Requests for individual extra credit will be futile. Individual extra credit opportunities will NOT be given because you need to improve your grade.Ever.

Course Policies:

Attendance Policy: Be here, fool. Regular and punctual class attendance is required of all students in Women’s & Gender Studies courses and will be considered in determining the student’s semester grade. Per departmental policy, five (5) unexcused absences will result in a failing grade (F) for the course; this policy is rigorously enforced. Excused absences will be given for university-authorized activities only. University policy requires that you provide your instructor with an official notification letter issued by the university (these are obtained through the Dean of Students Office, University Union, suite 409) to explain your absenceand that you submit any makeup work while you were involved in university-authorized activities. Absent extreme extenuating circumstances for which you have documentation (such as an illness worthy of hospitalization), all other absences will be considered unexcused (even if you have a note from a doctor, documentation of your flat tire/car problem, etc.). Be sure that you use your four “free” absences wisely!

Late Assignments: Late assignments are not acceptable. All assigned work is due by the due dates indicated on our Weekly Class Agenda and/or on Blackboard. Late Discussion Questions and Pop-up Assignments are not accepted.Late Major Assignments (Book Review, Final Project) will be heavily penalized (typically, this will be a 25% grade reduction per each calendar day an assignment is late). If you have extenuating circumstances and anticipate that you may need an extension on a major assignment, you should contact me in advance and as soon as you realize that you may have an issue. If you miss a deadline for a major assignment without having arranged an extension in advance, you need to contact me immediately.

Academic Dishonesty: Allow me to be clear –allof the work that you submit must be your own, original composition. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Plagiarism includes copying from a classmate, cutting and pasting from websites, allowing others to copy your work, and failure to cite/document your sources appropriately. If you do not know how to cite/document your sources appropriately, you should obtain a style manual (such as ASA, APA, Chicago, MLA, etc), read it, and use it in composing your writing assignments. If you are not sure whether or not something is plagiarism, you should consult university policy or your instructor, and always err on the side of caution.Plagiarized work will (at a minimum) not receive credit for the assignment. Students will also face action according to University guidelines for academic dishonesty. A detailed explanation of UNT’s policy on academic integrity can be found on UNT’s website

Email Policy: Email is, by far, the best way to contact me. I check email frequently and will promptly reply to any emails you send me (typically, within 24 to 28 hours). Two important things you should keep in mind when e-mailing me (or any professor) are that the e-mails you send are professional communications and that they communicate something about you to your professor.What do you want to communicate about yourself?

As professional communications, your e-mails must, at a minimum:

1)havea subject line that accurately express the purpose of the email (e.g. “discussion question for 10/13” or “WGST 2100 – question about book review”) – do not just reply to whatever random email you have from me, regardless of subject!

2)make a genuine attempt at correct grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling

3)open with a salutationand close with your full name

In other words, “What is my grade?"would not be sufficient. If you send me an e-mail that does not follow the conventions laid out above, you will receive a reply from me that simply reads “See the Email Policy on your syllabus and try again.” If that happens, re-read your e-mail to determine what needs to be changed, revise it, and please try again. For more on best practices when you are emailing your professors, see

Disability Support Services: As an instructor, I am committed to both the spirit and letter of federal equal opportunity (ADA) legislation. Students who require accommodation or who have any other special needs (regardless of documentation status) that require consideration should let me know (in writing, such as via email or by providing a copy of an ODA accommodations letter) as soon as possible (within two weeks) so that I can make any necessary adjustments. If you are not sure what constitutes a documented disability, whether you qualify, or how to request appropriate accommodation, please see for more information or contact the Office of Disability Accommodation at (940) 565-4323 or in Sage Hall, suite 167.

“The University of North Texas makes reasonable academic accommodation for students with disabilities. Students seeking accommodation must first register with the Office of Disability Accommodation (ODA) to verify their eligibility. If a disability is verified, the ODA will provide you with an accommodation letter to be delivered to faculty to begin a private discussion regarding your specific needs in a course. You may request accommodations at any time, however, ODA notices of accommodation should be provided as early as possible in the semester to avoid any delay in implementation. Note that students must obtain a new letter of accommodation for every semester and must meet with each faculty member prior to implementation in each class. For additional information see the Office of Disability Accommodation website at . You may also contact them by phone at (940) 565-4323.”

Withdrawals & Incompletes: See for information on the relevant withdrawal dates for this course. If you are ever questioning whether you should consider dropping this course, please contact me by email or during office hours; I am always happy to discuss your progress and prognosis. Incompletes are the student’s responsibility to request and are generally only given in cases of extreme and documented situations. In order to receive a grade of incomplete, at the time of the student’s request, a student must have completed the majority of the coursework and be passing.

Interested in a WGST Minor?

Come to the Women’s & Gender Studies Department Office in the General Academic Building, room 467, for more information, or give us call at 940-565-2098. For more information online, go to

Classroom Expectations:

  • Punctuality is a sign of respect and commitment; please be on time to class and stay for the entire class.
  • If you are more than 10 minutes late, you may receive reduced attendance credit for that day’s class; you may also miss a “pop-up” assignment (or be unable to receive full credit for it).
  • Please refrain from packing up your things before class has ended. It is distracting (and disrespectful) to your classmates and to your professor.
  • If you must arrive late or leave early, please do so with as little disruption to the class as possible.
  • Nix the distractions.
  • Electronic devices (including phones, tablets, laptops, and anything else powered by Tesla’s magic) should not be in use, or even out, during class time. Yes, I am old school, and laptop use is not permitted in my classroom. This class is centered on discussion and critical thinking, and technology can be a distraction. If you have a physical condition or other special circumstances requiring the use of a laptop, please see me ASAP to make appropriate accommodations.
  • Recording devices may be used during class only with the advance permission of the instructor. Any class recordings are exclusively for the personal use of the student recording, and must not be distributed in any form or manner.
  • Food and beverages are allowed in the classroom as long as they do not become the focus of your attention, or create a distraction for others around you. Hot foods, full meals, and anything with a distinct smell/sound is likely to be distracting, and disallowed in class; snacks and non-alcoholic drinks are generally fine.
  • Take responsibility for your own work – if you are absent, please do not come ask me “what you missed”. It is your responsibility to keep up with course readings, check Blackboard, and get information from a classmate about any material covered in class lectures and/or discussions, in the event you are absent.I suggest that you exchange contact information with at least two (reliable) classmates right away!
  • If you have done all of the above, but you still have questions about something you missed due to an unexpected absence, then please contact me individually. At that point, I am happy to help you fill in the blanks. But do anticipate that you will be asked what you’ve done independently to get caught up!
  • Please request my advance permission before brining any guests/visitors to class.
  • During all class discussions (and in your written work), please show your classmates and your professor an appropriate level of maturity, sensitivity, and respect in your language and behavior.
  • The nature of this course dictates that we will be discussing topics that some students may find personally disturbing, controversial, or otherwise difficult to handle. If material of a graphic or explicit nature will be shown and/or assigned, every attempt will be made to provide a students a preparatory warning about the content. Any issues with this should be addressed individually with the professor, at that time. Intellectual and personal growth requires some level of discomfort, so be prepared – regardless of personal positions or orientations, you should all anticipate that your personal systems of beliefs will be challenged from time to time.
  • You are under no obligation to agree with authors, other students, or the instructor. Rather, your obligation is to demonstrate comprehension and thoughtful consideration of perspectives that you may not share. Critical thinking, a willingness to explore ideas, and respect for others are essential.
  • Speak from your own experiences, and allow others to speak from their experiences.
  • “Sidebar” (private) conversations between students during class will not be tolerated.
  • In evaluating class participation, your instructor is looking for quality, thoughtful engagement (not merely quantity).
  • Student behavior that interferes with the instructor’s ability to conduct class or other students’ opportunity to learn is unacceptable and will not be tolerated in any instructional forum at UNT. Students engaging in such behavior will be directed to leave the classroom and may be referred to the Center for Student Rights and Responsibilities to consider whether the conduct violates the Code of Student Conduct. The university’s expectations for student conduct apply to all instructional forums (including university and electronic classrooms, labs, discussion groups, field trips, etc.) and can be found at

Other Questions, Problems, or Concerns: I strongly encourage you to talk to me outside of class if you are having problems with this course, or if you have any additional questions. I consider myself an agent here to help you think and learn, and expect you to take an active role in this process as well. I can’t help you if I don’t know you need help! If you have read all the way to here, congratulations, you are a very conscientious student. If you send me an email before the end of the day on Sunday, September 4thwith “WGST 2100 bonus” as the subject and your full name in the text of the email, you will receive five bonus points.