WMST 4100/5100: Feminist Theory
Mondays 2:00 – 4:50pm
ENV 391
Course Website: http://learn.unt.edu (Blackboard)
Instructor: Maia Cudhea, M.S.
Email:
***Email is, by far, the quickest and easiest way to contact me- I do not have a phone in my office.
Office: GAB 462
Office Hours: Wednesdays 10:00am – 1:00pm, or by appointment
Department of Women’s 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
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 or a prostitute.
–Rebecca West, in The Clarion, November 14, 1913
But one did not do feminist theory, as such, in those days,
not only because male academic discourse did not recognize such a term,
but especially because the women's movement did not either.
– Teresa de Lauretis, in Displacing Hegemonic Discourses: Reflections on Feminist Theory in the 1980's
Course Objectives:
By the end of this course students should be able to:
1. Explain a variety of frameworks for analyzing the nature of and solutions to gender inequality
2. Describe both the continuity and diversity of feminist theories
3. Identify and articulate the importance of social location in theorizing
4. Improve their skills in critical thinking, observation, analysis, communication, and self-awareness
Text & Readings:
Required Text:
Mann, Susan Archer. Doing Feminist Theory: From Modernity to Postmodernity. New York: Oxford, 2012. (ISBN 978-0-19-985810-1)
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 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. Students are responsible for reading all of the assigned material before our 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.
Optional/Recommended Text:
Our Bodies, Ourselves, 9th edition. By Boston Women's Health Book Collective
Available from: http://www.ourbodiesourselves.org/publications/default.asp
This book doesn’t really have that much to do with feminist theory (in an obvious sort of way). But if you don’t have it, you should!
Course Assignments/Components:
Class Participation (REQUIRED): Since this is a seminar-style class, the success of this course depends in large part on quality participation from all students. Every student is 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 alternative ways to supplement your participation (emailing me additional written comments or questions before class, posting on our course Blackboard discussion boards, 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 have any questions or concerns about your participation, please contact me individually.
Weekly Discussion Questions (REQUIRED): Each student is responsible for submitting a reading-based discussion question (before class) every week this semester. Discussion questions should be submitted to me via email () both as an attached Word doc and copied as plain text into your email before 8am every Monday. Please make sure that you are writing discussion questions, not exam questions! Discussion questions ask us to apply course concepts to a new situation or in some other way require a thoughtful engagement with course readings. The answers to discussion questions can never be simply yes/no, and have neither “right’ nor “wrong” answers in the textbook. You should come to class prepared with a thoughtful answer to your own question. Grades for discussion questions will be posted weekly on Blackboard, along with comments. If you are receiving sub-par grades (check-minuses) and do not understand how you need to improve, it is your responsibility to come see me for assistance.
Take-Home Mid-Term (REQUIRED): Each student will respond in detail to several questions/prompts distributed in a Take-Home Mid-Term. Students will have some selection over which questions/prompts they discuss. Responses will be expected to reflect comprehension of course material (as well as through grounding in it – including specific references/citations), the ability to engage with/apply the material with higher-level thinking, and critical self-reflection. Use of outside sources is not required, but is allowed (full citations must be provided if outside sources are used). Length is not a primary evaluative criteria for this assignment. More details on this assignment and a rubric (grading criteria) will be posted on Blackboard at the beginning of Week 6; the Mid-Term is due before midnight on Friday, March 7th (before Spring Break). Every student must earn a check or check-plus on every section of the Mid-Term. In order to pass/complete the course, students receiving a check-minus on any section must revise & resubmit their work on that section until it is sufficient to receive a check.
Final Project (REQUIRED): Each student will have a choice between several final options (e.g. analysis paper, praxis project, take-home exam, etc). Final project options will be discussed over the initial weeks of the course, and detailed options will be finalized and posted on our course Blackboard website after Spring Break. A (brief) Final Project Proposal is due April 7th.
Online Discussion Boards (OPTIONAL): There are several online discussion forums for this class. The first, “Kitchen Table”, will be open from day one of the course and available for any and all course material related discussions. (Note, this is not a place to ask questions about assignments or requirements – those should be emailed to me or addressed in the “housekeeping” time at the beginning of class meetings.) The remaining discussion boards will become available on several dates throughout the semester (2/10, 2/17, 2/24, 3/3, 3/17, & 4/14) as we move through the material which provides the background for them. These forums provide specific prompts for discussion, around which students can engage with each other in an extended fashion. Participation in these discussion forums is not required & will not be graded. However, participating is a good way to continue classroom conversations, deepen your understanding of course material, and expand your learning experience. In addition, substantial and thoughtful participation in the discussion forums is the only opportunity for “extra credit” in this course.
Theory Précis (OPTIONAL): A précis (pronounced “prā – sē”) is a short summary of a piece of writing. The précis is valuable because it helps a student to express a thesis in his or her own words, and provides a quick reference for complex material. A recommended précis format for our bodies of feminist theory is provided on Blackboard. These are not required and you will not turn them in for grading. However, keeping up with these will make it significantly easier to organize and complete your work on the Mid-Term Exam and Final Project. It may help you generate and organize your Discussion Questions. It will provide a valuable reference that you can use in the future (especially for graduate students!). If you would consider yourself a serious student of feminist theory, I strongly recommend completing these.
Course Grades:
I am not a fan of grade-centered learning and believe that holistic grading is a preferable pedagogical strategy. I want you to have the freedom to participate in this seminar-style class without worrying about the numbers. Therefore, I am coming into this class presuming that you will all do “A”-level work. However, missing class meetings, submitting assignments late, or giving me a half-effort writing assignments will necessarily result in a grade reduction. Given this balance, writing assignments will be “graded” on a check system: check plus is excellent/exceeds expectations, check is meeting expectations, and check minus is insufficient to meet expectations. Final overall grades will be assigned according to the following standards:
A / ImpressiveCourse Component / Standard
Attendance & Participation / Missing no more than one class meeting.
Regularly participating in class discussion.
Discussion Questions / Missing no more than one Discussion Question, submitting late no more than once.
Earning at least one check-plus, earning no more than one check-minus.
Mid-Term Exam / Check or better on all sections of the Mid-Term (including revisions).
First submission of Mid-Term includes at least one check-plus.
Final Project / Final Proposal submitted on time. Final Project demonstrates comprehension of the theories covered and utilizes them for a well-defined analytic task.
B / Good
Course Component / Standard
Attendance & Participation / Missing no more than two class meetings.
Periodically participating in class discussion.
Discussion Questions / Missing no more than one Discussion Question, submitting late no more than twice.
Earning at least one check-plus, earning no more than two check-minuses.
Mid-Term Exam / Check or better on all sections of the Mid-Term (including revisions).
First submission of Mid-Term includes at least one check.
Final Project / Final Proposal submitted on time.
Final Project demonstrates comprehension of the theories covered and utilizes them.
C / Acceptable
Course Component / Standard
Attendance & Participation / Missing no more than two class meetings.
Occasionally participating in class discussion.
Discussion Questions / Missing no more than two Discussion Questions, submitting late no more than twice.
Earning no more than three check-minuses.
Mid-Term Exam / Check or better on all sections of the Mid-Term (including revisions).
Final Project / Final Proposal submitted.
Final Project demonstrates comprehension of the theories covered.
D/F / Below minimum standards
Course Component / Standard
Attendance & Participation / Missing three or more class meetings.
Rarely participating in class discussion.
Discussion Questions / Missing three or more Discussion Questions; submitting late three or more times.
Earning more than three check-minuses.
Mid-Term Exam / Check-minus on at least one section of Mid-Term (including revisions).
Final Project / Final Proposal not submitted.
Final Project does not demonstrate comprehension of the theories covered.
The difference between a D and an F is a student’s degree of effort during the semester.
Extra Credit: Since grading in this course is holistic and not a numbers game, there isn’t really “extra credit”, beyond participation the optional course components. If you want to ensure you maintain your “A”, you must keep up with regular course work. If you have questions or concerns about your grade, or want to work to “recover” a grade, please contact me individually.
Course Policies:
Attendance Policy: Be here, fool. Regular and punctual class attendance is required of all students in Women’s Studies courses and will be considered in determining the student’s semester grade. Per departmental policy, three (3) 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 card issued by the university to explain your absence and to submit any makeup work while you were involved in university-authorized activities. Absent extreme extenuating circumstances (such as an extended serious illness), all other absences will be considered unexcused (even if you have a note from the student health center, documentation of your flat tire, etc.).
Academic Dishonesty: Allow me to be clear- all of 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. Plagiarized work will 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 dishonesty can be found on UNT’s website http://www.vpaa.unt.edu/academic-integrity.htm.
Americans With Disabilities Act: Students who require accommodation for a documented disability or other condition, or who have other special needs that require consideration or adjustments should let me know (in writing, such as 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 http://www.unt.edu/oda for more information or contact the Office of Disability Accommodation at (940) 565-4323.
Late Assignments: Late assignments are not acceptable. You may bring late Discussion Questions to class, provided they are typed; we will address them as time permits. However, they will affect your grade (see grading standards). If you miss a deadline for a major assignment (Take-Home Mid-Term, Final Proposal, Final Project), you need to contact me immediately.
Withdrawals & Incompletes: See http://essc.unt.edu/registrar/schedule/scheduleclass.html for the last day to drop 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 only given in cases of extreme and documented situations.
Classroom Expectations:
· Punctuality is a sign of respect and commitment; please be on time to class. If you must arrive late or leave early, please do so with as little disruption to the class as possible.