Course Syllabus, WMNST 590: Feminist Thought
Dr. Sara Giordano
Fall 2014
Tuesdays, 7:00 - 9:40pm
Storm Hall – Room 119
Office: AL 342
Office hours: W/Th 12-1pm and by appointment
E-mail: sgiordano@mail.sdsu.edu
Course Description:
This course will provide an introductory survey of contemporary feminist theory –
from the institutionalization of Women’s Studies to the present (last decades of 20th century
to present). We will examine various and sometimes competing and intersecting theories on
feminism, gender, sex, race, sexuality, difference, knowledge and politics. We will ask
questions such as what counts as feminist thought?, how can and should we produce
feminist truths?, how do categories of difference such as race and sex impact our lives?, and
how can we use feminist theory in our political actions? Throughout the course, students
will analyze feminist blogs to understand one of the ways that feminist thought is created
and put into practice in this digital age.
Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
 Discuss relationships between feminist theory and practice
 Challenge binary representations of nature and culture
 Understand debates within feminist thought about the concept of intersectionality
 Understand key debates within feminist thought about categories of sex, race,
gender, sexuality and difference
 Analyze feminist digital media – e.g. blogs
 Locate and analyze feminist scholarship published in academic journals
 Produce their own feminist blog postings grounded in feminist theory
 Apply feminist theory to critically analyze current social and political issues
Required Texts:
McCann, Carole R. and Seung-kyung Kim, eds. Feminist theory reader: Local and Global
Perspectives. (Routledge 2013, Third Edition.)
* All other readings will be posted on Blackboard (BB). You must print out the readings
and bring them to class on the date indicated or bring a copy on your laptop.
Grading:
Participation, 15% (participating in class discussions and in-class group activities)
Responding to weekly readings, 25% total
Introductory Essay, 5% (due Friday Sept 5th, midnight, on blackboard)
End-of-Semester Final Thoughts Essay, 5% (due Friday, Dec 12th, midnight, on blackboard)
Major Project – Feminist thought in a digital age 50%
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