Gender and Political Theory
790:365:01
Prof. Threadcraft
s.threadcraft@rutgers.edu
Office: Hickman Hall, Room
Office Hours: Monday: 12-2
Heldrich Science Building 206 D/C
M W 2:15-3:35pm
Course Description
“Gender and Political Theory” introduces students to the gendered nature of political
theory that is usually rendered invisible at best and irrelevant at worst by the Western
Canon of Political Theory. Applying a gendered lens to political theory provides students
with new insights and alternative interpretations to political thinkers, themes, and
categories that have historically been uncomplicated by serious considerations of gender,
race, and class. The goal of this course is to understand the development of feminist
interactions with mainstream political theory in order to assess the continued relevance of
the relationship.
Required Reading:

Princeton Readings in Political Thought, edited by Mitchell Cohen and Nicole
Fermon. Princeton University Press, 1966.

Okin, Susan Moller. Women in Western Political Thought. Princeton University
Press, 1979.

Hirschmann, Nancy. Gender, Class and Freedom in Modern Political Theory.
Princeton University Press, 2008.
Course Requirements:
Attendance and Participation (20%): Attendance is required. A sign-in sheet will be
provided at each class. Please be sure to sign the sheet. Please use the University
absence reporting website https://sims.rutgers.edu/ssra/ to indicate the date and reason
for your absence. An email is automatically sent to me. Students will be expected to
attend class and to have read all materials to be discussed for that day.
Midterm In Class Exam and Take Home Essay (40%)
In Class Final Exam Dec 18, 2013: 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM (40%):
Late papers will not be accepted without penalty unless excused by a note from your
doctor or dean.
Late papers will be penalized one letter grade per day following the due date.
A letter from your Dean or Doctor is required for all make up exams
Late Policy:
Unless permission of instructor has been granted, an assignment will be marked down 5
points for each day it is late. For example, if the paper is due at 2 PM on a Wednesday
and it is turned in at 3:30 PM on Thursday, it will be considered 2 days late and receive a
10-point deduction.
Academic Honesty:
Academic honesty is expected. Plagiarism of any kind will not be tolerated. If you have
any questions please see http://academicintegrity.rutgers.edu/integrity.shtml or see me.
Week 1 (September 4)
Course Introduction
Week 2 (September 9, 11)
M
Isaiah Berlin, “Two Concepts of Liberty”
Nancy Hirschmann, The Subject of Liberty, Introduction
W
Hirschmann, The Subject of Liberty, Chapter 4 and 6
Week 3 (September 16, 18)
M
Plato, Book V of the Republic (discussion of the female guardians)
W
Okin, “Introduction” and “Plato” (entire section)
Week 4 (September 23, 25)
M
Aristotle, The Politics
W
Okin, “Aristotle” (entire section)
Week 5 (September 30, October 2)
M
Machiavelli, The Prince
W
Brown, “Machiavelli: From Man to Manhood” and “Manhood and the
Political World” SAKAI
Week 6 (October 7, 9) – Note no class Wednesday!
M
In Class Exam
W
No Class
Week 7 (October 14, 16)
M
Hobbes, Leviathan (Books 1 and 2)
W
Hirschman, “Hobbes” (selections)
Di Stefano, Christine, “Hobbesian (Hu) Man,” and
Brown, “What is to Be Overcome: The Politics of Domination and What
is to Be Done: Toward a Post-Masculinist Politics”
Week 8 (October 21, 23)
M
Locke, Second Treatise
W
Hirschmann, “Locke” (selections)
Pateman, The Sexual Contract (selections) SAKAI
Week 9 (October 28, 30)
M
Rousseau, Wollstonecraft, “A Vindication of the Rights of Women”
W
Okin, “Rousseau” (selections), Hirschman, “Rousseau” (selections)
Week 10 (November 4, 6)
M
Mill, “Liberty” and “On the Subjection of Women”
W
Hirschmann, “Mill” (selections)
Week 11 (November 11, 13) – Midterm Essay Due WEDNESDAY
M
Marx
W
Nicholson’s “Feminism and Marx: Integrating Kinship with
the Economic”
Hartmann’s “The Unhappy Marriage of Marxism and Feminism: Toward
a More Progressive Union”
MacKinnon, “Feminism, Marxism, Method, and the State: An Agenda for
Theory” SAKAI
(Midterm Essay Due via Sakai)
Week 12 (November 18, 20)
M
Foucault, Discipline and Punish, selections
W
Wendy Brown, Amy Allen, TBA
Week 13 (Nov 25 and 27)
Thanksgiving week, no class
Week 14 (December 2,4)
M
Rawls
W
Okin, Justice and the Politics of Difference, Introduction, “Five Faces of
Oppression”
Week 15 (December 9, 11)
Make up/Review
Final Exam Dec 18, 2013: 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM