Women's Studies 3050    Feminist Theories
Fall 2007
K.L. MacKay, kmackay@weber.edu; SS 244, 626 6782

An introduction to the study of feminist theories from the 18th Century to the present. Students will study historical accounts of feminism by looking at primary sources written by influential feminists, as well as theoretical treatises on different kinds of feminism, from liberal feminism, to radical feminism, socialist feminism, black feminism, multicultural or global feminism, and so on. The class will be taught using collaborative learning and will rely on class discussion and interaction, rather than traditional lecture format.

This class satisfies a requirement for the Women Studies minor.

Any student requiring accommodations or services due to a disability must contact Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) in room 181 of the Student Service Center. SSD can also arrange to provide course materials (including this syllabus) in alternative formats if necessary.

Feminist theory has always had a political agenda: to improve the situation of women in society. But it also has philosophical import, asking basic questions about personal identity, about ethical obligations to others, about knowledge, and about the history of philosophy. This course asks: What could feminist theory(ies) offer not only women but all of society?

Spring 2007 Class Calendar

Goals for student learning: I hope that students will:

1. increase their awareness of the multiplicity of feminist theories.
2. strengthen their ability to examine critically theoretical assumptions.
3. develop their ability to synthesize and asses theoretical arguments.
4. hone their skills in written and oral communication.
5. consider social changes which might bring about gender equality.

Texts: Please bear in mind that theory is difficult. You may not understand every word you read. Please try not to become too frustrated by this. Put forth your best effort to understand these various theories in terms of where you are. I do understand that you will not necessarily master every concept in the class.

• Donovan, Feminist Theory: The Intellectual Traditions
• hooks, Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center
• McCann and Seung-Kyung, Feminist Theory Reader

Class Format: The class will be taught using collaborative learning and will rely on class discussion and interaction, rather than traditional lecture format. The class  is to be student driven rather than instructor driven. I am here, finally, to answer your questions not mine; so that you might better understand the debates in feminist theory. You will not necessarily learn from me; rather the objective of the course is for us to construct knowledge collaboratively. Therefore, lectures by the instructor will be kept to a minimum. This means that if you have a question and you want a lecture, the responsibility is yours to ask for it. Otherwise, the class will focus on discussion of materials, small group discussions, writing and the sharing of writing, and group presentations of material.

Activities in Support of Learning: The course is based on the idea that the more you read, the better off you will be. The course is also based on the principle that the more you talk about the theories, in class and to each other, the better off you will be.

• Participation
  The course will be conducted as a seminar. Students are required to complete all readings and to participate in class discussions. Students will be asked to bring to class ideas for discussion formulated from assigned reading. In order to help with this work, students will be asked periodically to write reading summaries. Students will be assigned to lead discussions. Participation is highly valued in this class. Students will assess their participation in a short paper.  30 points.
• 5 Reading Response Papers (10 points each)
  Students will write responses (2-3 pages) to various assigned questions, their readings and other assigned activities. Some will be peer reviewed. 
  Papers will be evaluated in terms of a rubric.
• 5 Oral presentations (10 points each)
  • Film Analysis Project
  • News Analysis Project
  • Internet Analysis Project
  • Advertising Project
  • Fairy Tale Analysis Project
• Ah-ha project
  Students will present their most important "eureka" moment in a visual display and short paper. 20 points

Grades: Grades are not assigned "on the curve." Grades are based on a percentage of the points possible. 90% = A