Contents of spoon-archives/french-feminism.archive/Syllabi/Feminist_theory
PHIL 483: Feminist Theory
Dr. Kristin Switala
kswitala@cecasun.utc.edu
Course Description
This course will provide an introduction to the history of feminist
theory and to some of the most important issues within feminism. The
course will proceed as follows:
I. Why Feminism?
A. International Perspectives (Africa, India, Southeast Asia)
B. American Perspectives (Native American, Asian American,
African American)
II. American Political Feminism
A. Liberal Feminism
B. Marxist Feminism
C. Socialist and Anarcha Feminisms
D. Radical Feminism
III. Feminism and Writing
In addition, students will be using the Feminist Theory Website on
the Internet, which was designed for this course, in order to
conduct a major research project in international feminism.
Course Requirements
There are four short (5-page) papers and one major research project
required for this course. The major research project is discussed on
page 2 of this syllabus. Each paper is worth 100 points and the
research project is worth 200 points, for a total of 600 points for
the semester.
Required Texts
1. Alexander, M. Jacqui and Chandra T. Mohanty, ed. Feminist
Genealogies, Colonial Legacies, Democratic Futures.
2. Tuana, Nancy and Rosemarie Tong, ed. Feminism and Philosophy.
3. Cixous, Helene and Mireille Calle-Gruber. Helene Cixous:
Rootprints.
Major Research Project
During the semester, students will work on a major research project in
international feminism. Students are to select a country from the
following list and examine the Feminism / Feminist Theory internet
website, which will provide information on books and articles on
feminism in the particular country chosen. Then students are to
conduct research on feminism in their country, in preparation for a
3-panel display and handout for International Feminism Day in the
University Center on Thursday, April 23rd. Students will be given
handouts in class, explaining exactly how to proceed with these
projects.
Class Calendar
1. Introduction; discussion of research projects
2. Why Feminism? Third-World Perspectives: Africa a) "Sheroes and
Villians: Conceptualizing Colonial and Contemporary Violence Against
Women in Africa," by Amina Mama, in Feminist Genealogies, Colonial
Legacies, Democratic Futures, pp. 46-62 b) "The Dynamics of WINning:
An Anaysis of Women in Nigeria (WIN)," by Ayesha M. Imam, inFeminist
Genealogies, Colonial Legacies, Democratic Futures, pp. 280-307
3. Film: "Bandit Queen" (India) -- Signal Mt. Room
4. Why Feminism? Third-World Perspectives: India and Southeast Asia a)
"Looking at Ourselves: The Women's Movement in Hyderabad," by Vasanth
Kannabiran and Kalpana Kannabiran, in Feminist Genealogies, Colonial
Legacies, Democratic Futures, pp. 259-279 b) "'A Great Way to Fly':
Nationalism, the State, and the Varieties of Third-World Feminisms,"
by Geraldine Heng, in Feminist Genealogies, Colonial Legacies,
Democratic Futures, pp. 30-45
5. Why Feminism? American Perspectives: Native American and Asian
American a) "Civil Rights versus Sovereignty: Native American Women in
Life and Land Struggles," by Marie A.J. Guerrero, in Feminist
Genealogies, Colonial Legacies, Democratic Futures, pp. 101-121 b)
"The Public/Private Mirage: Mapping Homes and Undomesticating Violence
Work in the South Asian Immigrant Community," by Anannya
Bhattacharjee, in Feminist Genealogies, Colonial Legacies, Democratic
Futures, pp. 308-329
6. Why Feminism? American Perspectives: African American a) "The
Social Construction of Black Feminist Thought," by Patricia Hill
Collins, inFeminism and Philosophy, pp. 526-547 b) "Have We Got a
Theory for You! Feminist Theory, Cultural Imperialism, and the Demand
for 'The Woman's Voice'," by Maria C. Lugones and Elizabeth V.
Spelman, in Feminism and Philosophy, pp. 494-507
7. Discussion and paper-writing instructions
8. Student conferences to discuss research projects
9. Paper on "Why Feminism? International and American Perspectives" is
due
10. American Political Feminism: Liberal Feminism a) " ," by Elizabeth
Cady Stanton b) " ," by Susan B. Anthony
11. American Political Feminism: Marxist Feminism a) "The Feminist
Standpoint: Developing the Ground for a Specifically Feminist
Historical Materialism," by Nancy Hartsock, in Feminism and
Philosophy, pp. 69-90 b) "The Family as the Locus of Gender, Class,
and Political Struggle: The Example of Housework," by Heidi Hartmann,
in Feminism and Philosophy, pp. 104-128
12. American Political Feminism: Socialist and Anarcha Feminisms a)
"The Politics of Socialist Feminism," by Alison Jaggar, in Feminism
and Philosophy, pp. 299-324 b) "Anarchism and Feminism," by Kathryn
Pyne Addelson, Martha Ackelsberg, and Shawn Pyne, in Feminism and
Philosophy, pp. 330-352
13. American Political Feminism: Radical Feminism a) "Moral
Revolution: From Antagonism to Cooperation," by Sarah Hoagland, in
Feminism and Philosophy, pp. 175-192 b) "Sexuality, Pornography, and
Method: 'Pleasure Under Patriarchy'," by Catharine MacKinnon, in
Feminism and Philosophy, pp. 134-161
14. Discussion and paper-writing instructions
15. Student conferences to discuss research projects
16. Paper on "American Political Feminism" is due
17. Film: " "
18. Film: " "
19. Spring Break
20. Spring Break
21. Feminism and Writing Helene Cixous: Rootprints, by Helene Cixous
and Mireille Calle-Gruber, pp. 179-213
22. Film: "Repulsion" (France and Britain) -- Signal Mt. Room
23. Feminism and Writing Helene Cixous: Rootprints, by Helene Cixous
and Mireille Calle-Gruber, pp. 1-54
24. Feminism and Writing Helene Cixous: Rootprints, by Helene Cixous
and Mireille Calle-Gruber, pp. 54-84
25. Feminism and Writing Helene Cixous: Rootprints, by Helene Cixous
and Mireille Calle-Gruber, pp. 84-115
26. Discussion and paper-writing instructions
27. Paper on "Feminism and Writing" is due
28. Student conferences to discuss research projects
29. Student conferences to discuss research projects
30. Research Projects on display in the University Center Atrium for
grading and judging
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