WMST 2100.003 Women and Society

WMST 2100.003 Women and Society:

An Introduction to Women's Studies

MW 12:00 - 1:20

Wh 312

Feminist politics aims to end domination, to free us to be who we are—to live lives where we love justice, where we can live in peace. Feminism is for everybody.

-bell hooks

Women's Studies' vitality as a field comes from its ability to encompass contradiction.

-Elizabeth Lapovsky Kennedy and Agatha Beins

Instructor: Kristin Alder, teaching fellow

Email:

Office: GAB 462

Office Hours:M 2:00 to 3:00 or by appointment

Course Description: 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.

Course Goals: This course will focus on the following goals:

1. To describe the broad diversity of women's experiences in the United States.

2. To explore the concept of "gender" as a social construction

3. To introduce philosophical frameworks for a variety of feminist scholarship

4. To provide opportunities for students to develop skills in critical thinking, observation, analysis, communication, and self-awareness

Course Requirements:

Text: Women's Voices, Feminist Visions, 4th ed., by Susan Shaw and Janet Lee (New York: McGraw-Hill, 2009).

Additional items will be assigned and made available to students on Blackboard Vista.

Class Format and Expectations: Class meetings will include a mixture of lectures, films, discussions, and other activities. Students are expected to read assignments prior to the class period, to listen to class presentations, and to participate meaningfully in discussions. We will be discussing very controversial and personal subjects and it is highly likely that your own system 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 be respectful and to demonstrate comprehension and thoughtful consideration of perspectives you may not share. Critical thinking, a willingness to explore ideas, and respect for others are essential.

Also, expressing one's thoughts, ideas and opinions can be intimidating. As I've mentioned above, the topics themselves may at times make it hard for all of us to join discussions. One of my goals as your instructor is to create an environment where we can all not only meet our potential as communicators, but improve our abilities as well. Because of this, class participation is VERY important for the success of the class as a whole. Remember that what is important is not the quantity of your participation but the quality. Please ensure that all remarks thoughtfully engage the material.

Attendance Policy: Regular and punctual attendance is required for all Women's Studies courses. Five absences will result in a failing grade (F) for the course. Excused absences will be given for university-authorized activities only. University policy requires that you provide your instructor with an official notification card issued by the university to explain your absence and to submit any makeup work while you were involved in university-authorized activities. All other absences will be considered unexcused. All students with two or fewer absences at the end of the semester will be given 10 bonus points. In addition, attendance may play a role in decisions about final grades should they be borderline.

If you are absent, please do not contact me to see what you missed. I advise each of you to find within the first two weeks of class at least one study partner you trust who can gather handouts and/or take notes for you.

Partner's Name: ______

Email Address: ______

Phone Number: ______

Class Conduct:

Punctuality is extremely important. Please be on time. Habitual tardiness or leaving class early may result in the accrual of absences. If you do arrive late or leave early, please be respectful of your classmates. Sleeping during in class will accrue you an absence for the day.

The use of all electronic devices, including personal computers, is not allowed in this classroom. Cell phone ringers must be turned off during class. Please do not send or receive text messages during class.

Private conversations are not acceptable. All comments should be directed to the entire class.

Food and beverages are allowed in the classroom as long as they do not become the focus of your attention or distract those around you. Please dispose of your trash properly.

Email: This is my preferred method of communication. I will send all updates and course changes to you via your chosen email addresses. Class participants will be held accountable for any information missed by not checking their email.

Grades:

Total points available in the Course: 500

A=448 - 500

B=398 - 447

C=348 -397

D= 298 - 347

F=297 and below

Weekly Exams: 200 points - 40% of total grade

13 Exams at 20 points each (Three lowest grades will be dropped.)

The exams will be unannounced. Each fifteen to twenty minute exam will consist of questions primarily in the multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, true/false and/or short essay format. The exams will cover all material from readings, films, and lectures. Class will resume on these dates immediately following the exam.

Midterm: Paper: 100 points - 20% of total grade

(See attached for details.)

Your paper is due Monday, October 10th. You will write a personal reflection essay this semester over one of three topics to be provided. While I expect the essay to be personal, it should also be well written and include cited examples from class discussion and readings.

Final: Group Research Project/Presentation: 150 points total - 30% of total grade

(See attached for details.)

You will prepare a group presentation on a topic related to our class. The project has five components: 1) a group topic proposal due October 31st worth 25 points, 2) an annotated bibliography due November 14 worth 15 points, 3) an individual paper worth 50 points due December 5th, 4)an oral presentation on December 7th or December 14th worth 50 points, and 5) a peer evaluation due December 14th worth 10 points.

In-Class Activities: 50 points - 10% of total grade

There will be five in-class assignments worth 10 points each. See "Class Schedule" for dates.

Late Work: All late assignments will be docked 25% of their total value for each of the first three days they are late. On the fourth day, I will no longer accept your work. For example, if your assignment is due by 12PM on Monday, at 12:01 on Monday your paper is late and therefore loses 25% of its possible value. On Tuesday at 12:01 PM, your paper loses 50% of its worth. On Wednesday at 12:01 PM, your paper loses 75% of its worth. After 12:01 PM on Thursday, I will no longer accept the paper. All work must be turned in the form it was asked for. NO EMAILS OF YOUR WORK WILL EVER BE ACCEPTED. No makeup exams will be given. If you run into difficulty during the semester, please contact me ASAP.

Extra Credit: Extra credit points will be offered at my discretion throughout the semester. All extra credit will be offered to the class as a whole. (See attached for details.)

University Policies:

Academic Dishonesty ( The University takes plagiarism and cheating very seriously. Plagiarized work will earn a zero for the assignment. Students will face action according to University guidelines for academic dishonesty. I reserve the right to submit any paper I suspect of plagiarism to Turnitit.com.

Academic Ethics: (http: Acts of academic dishonesty are subject to discipline at UNT. Cheating, plagiarism, and furnishing false or misleading information are acts of academic dishonesty. The definitions of these terms are clearly described in the Undergraduate Catalog ( and by the Center for Students Rights and Responsibilities.

Authorized Class Absence( All travel by students off campus for the purpose of participation in UNT sponsored activities must be authorized by the dean of the school or college of the sponsoring department. Within three days after the absence, students must obtain authorized absence cards from the dean of students for instructors.

Absence for Religious Holidays ( A student absent due to the observance of a religious holiday may take examinations/ complete assignments scheduled for the day(s) missed within a reasonable time after the absence. Class participants should notify the instructor via email of planned absences for religious holidays.

Disability Support Services( If you anticipate the need for accommodations to meet the requirements of this course, you must register with Office of Disability Accommodation (University Union, 3rd floor, Suite 321) in order to obtain the required official notification of your needs. Please plan to meet with me by appointment or during office hours to discuss approved accommodations and how my course requirements and activities may impact your ability to fully participate. For more information, contact ODA at 940-565-4323.

University ODA Statement: The University of North Texas is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of federal equal opportunity legislation; reference Public Law 92-112 – The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. With the passage of new federal legislation entitled Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), pursuant to section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, there is renewed focus on providing this population with the same opportunities enjoyed by all citizens.

Drop Information: All information regarding deadlines for dropping or withdrawing this course can be found at:

Syllabus Information: This syllabus is tentative and subject to change at any point during the semester. If there are any policy changes (i.e. grading, attendance) during the semester, a new/ revised syllabus will be issued and given to all students. A copy of this syllabus will be on file in the department office (GAB 467). However, if you lose your personal copy, please refer to the copy on Blackboard Vista.

Writing Lab:If you have any problems with your writing, please come see me for help or use our University Writing Lab (

Class Schedule:

This schedule is tentative. The instructor reserves the right to modify the reading or assignments. All changes will be announced in class.

Students are responsible for reading all assigned material before class and should come prepared to discuss, question, and build on the assigned material.

WVFV denotes readings in the textbook, Women's Voices and Feminist Visions

BB denotes readings to be found on UNT's Blackboard

DETAILED DISCUSSION OF COURSEWORK

MIDTERM: Reflection Essay (100 points)

Your essay is due at the beginning of class on October 10th. Late papers will be docked. (No emailed papers will be accepted.) If you have any further questions regarding your essay, please email me or arrange to visit me during office hours.