Bennett College IS 425­00—Black Feminist and Feminist Theory Spring 2008 Instructor: Dr. Valerie Ann Johnson Office: AWS Bldg. – 700 Gorrell St. Office Hours: T/TR: 9:30­11am MW: 10am­12pm; 1­4pm and by appointment Telephone: 336­517­2259 Email: vajohnson@bennett.edu Class Times: Tuesdays and Thursdays – 1­2:15pm Classroom: Black Hall 100 Textbooks: Gender Talk (2003), Johnnetta B. Cole and Beverly Guy­Sheftall, New York: One World Book/Ballantine Reserved Readings Prerequisites: WS 100 and 200 Course Description: This 3­ credit course is an in depth examination of some of the key theories and ideas of feminist and Black feminist thought, including post structuralism, postmodernism, essentialism, standpoint theory, womanist theory, etc. Students will read major works, and learn to engage in critical discussions of the basic ideas and principles that guide these theories, and discuss how they relate back to particular readings, as well as their own research. Students will learn how to discern theory through close readings of texts, and how to articulate their own position on theories. Emphasis in the course is upon critical reading, thinking, and writing. Course Objectives 1) Examine in­depth some of the key theories and ideas of Black feminist and feminist thought. 2) Provide students with opportunities to engage in critical discussions of the basic ideas and principles that guide feminist, womanist/Black feminist theories. 3) Provide students with a forum where they can articulate their own position on feminist and womanist/Black feminist theories. 4) Improve students’ ability to discern theory from close readings of texts. 5) Engage in discussions that assist students in relating theory back to particular readings and their own research. Expected Student Outcomes Upon completion of this course, students should be able to: 1) Propose, develop and research an issue pertinent to women’s issues utilizing learned feminist theory. 2) Articulate cogent womanist/Black feminist and feminist theory based on their own analyses. 3) Analyze current issues from a womanist/Black feminist and feminist perspective. 4) Better discern theory from close readings of texts. 5) Articulate current trends in the field of feminist and womanist/Black feminist studies. Requirements: Grading will be done on a 100­point scale, with number of points obtained divided by the total possible used to compute the percentage score. 90­100%=A, 80­89%=B, 70­79%=C, 60­69%=D, below 60%=F. Grade components and their relative values are: Blog Activity 10 points Midterm 25 points Term Project 30 points Participation 10 points Final Exam 25 points Total 100 points Attendance/Participation Policy Students are expected to attend all classes (on time) and will be held responsible for all material discussed in each class, regardless of whether the student actually attended class. Your participation grade will be derived from attendance in class, participation in class activities as well as the completion of course assignments. Students who miss a substantial proportion of classes may be dropped from the course without discussion at any time following the drop­add period.
IS 425 Spring 2008 Syllabus­Page 1 Exams (50 points total) The quiz, midterm, and final exams (totaling 60 points) are designed to measure how well you know and understand the material covered in class. The quiz will primarily cover anthropological vocabulary. The midterm and final exams will consist of a mixture of objective and subjective questions in short answer, identification, and essay format. The study guide for the final will be distributed the last day of class. Exam dates: Midterm – February 28th ; Final – Blog Activity (10 points) Students will read and critique selected blogsites during the third segment of the course. They will keep a journal of their reactions to what they experience while “blogging.” At the end of the review period students will write a 5­8 page feminist critique of the blogsite. Due – Term Project (30 points) This project is designed to provide you with the opportunity to revise an existing research paper for publication in a feminist or women’s studies journal or publication. Your revision will incorporate theoretical material learned in the course and you will turn in several versions of this paper before the final revised copy is handed in. Part of this project is also to chose a journal to publish your paper and, upon approval by the instructor, you will submit your paper for publication. This paper will need to include the following sections: title page, table of contents, introduction, literature review, methodology, findings, analysis and relevant appendices. Due – April 22nd Extra Credit A total of five events and activities that do not count for ACES credit can be used for extra credit subject to instructor’s approval. Schedule of Readings and Course Activities
MODULE ONE: WEEKS 1-4 (JANUARY 8TH-31ST)
INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE – GETTING A THEORETICAL FOUNDATION IN FEMINIST
THOUGHT
Readings: Introduction, Chapters 1 and 2 – Gender Talk; Selected readings from Feminist Frontiers and
Words of Fire and The Womanist Reader
Activities: Silent Choices (January 22nd, 6:30 pm) – Little Theatre; Eugenics Exhibit (time and date TBA);
Selection of paper to revise and action plan developed – 1st revision due January 31st
MODULE TWO: WEEKS 5-8 (FEBRUARY 5-28)
SPEAKING OUTLOUD THE UNSPEAKABLE: POWER OF THE WORD
Readings: Chapters 3 and 4 – Gender Talk; Selected readings from Feminist Frontiers, The Womanist
Reader, and Words of Fire
Activities: Collecting Oral Narratives in Pender County; Theatre Night – 3-One Act Plays performed
by the Bennett Players (Feb. 21-24); Visit exhibit in Steele Gallery (during February)
2nd revision due February 14th
MIDTERM EXAM: February 28, 2008 – in class
MODULE THREE: WEEKS 9-12 (MARCH 4-27)
HOW THE GARCIA GIRLS WERE ALMOST SILENCED: EXAMINING MISOGYNY, INTOLERANCE, AND
FEAR
Readings: Chapters 5 and 6 – Gender Talk; Selected readings from Chicana Feminisms, The Womanist
IS 425 Spring 2008 Syllabus­Page 2 Reader, and Words of Fire
Activities: Visit to Charlotte Hawkins Brown Historic Site (time and date TBA); Blog Activity (beginning
March 4th – during Spring Break
SPRING BREAK – MARCH 3RD – 7TH
rd
3 Revision due March 13th
MODULE FOUR: WEEKS 13-16 (APRIL 1-24)
APPLYING WHAT WE LEARN TO OUR REAL WORLD EXPERIENCES
Readings: Chapters 7 and 8 – Gender Talk, Selected chapters from Their Eyes Were Watching God
Activities: Participation in 5th Annual AWS/WRS Summit (April 3rd-5th)
Final Draft of Paper Due Tuesday, April 22nd LAST DAY of CLASS – April 24th and Exam Review
FINAL EXAM – Special Needs Statement: Bennett College is committed to meeting the needs of students with disabilities. Compliant with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans With Disabilities Act, Bennett College does not discriminate against otherwise qualified candidates in regard to college life. If you require special accommodations it is your responsibility to communicate them to the instructor. You may also arrange a meeting with the Coordinator of Disability Services for an assessment of special need. Plagiarism Statement: Students are expected to adhere to the Belle Honor Code which strictly prohibits plagiarism and other forms of cheating and dishonest behavior. Any student that plagiarizes or otherwise receives unauthorized aid on any assignment will receive a grade of 0 for that assignment for the first infraction and will fail the course and be subject to expulsion or other action as deemed appropriate by the College for additional infractions. Bennett College for Women ­ Mission Statement Bennett College is a small, private, historically Black liberal arts college for women. The College offers women an education conducive to excellence in scholarly pursuits; preparation for leadership roles in the workplace, society, and the world; and life­long learning in a technologically advanced, complex global society. As a United Methodist Church­related institution, Bennett College promotes morally grounded maturation, intellectual honesty, purposeful public service, and responsible civic action. The College welcomes students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds, recognizing that the educational experience is enriched and strengthened when multiple voices are represented and heard. Operating in an interdisciplinary, learning­centered environment, students, working with faculty and staff, will learn to use sophisticated intellectual skills, think analytically, and solve problems in ways that respect a variety of viewpoints and deepen their understanding of different cultures. At Bennett College, education takes place in an environment of open inquiry where teachers and students are immersed in educational processes that build community, foster authentic research, create knowledge, and advance scholarship and personal empowerment. Students will leave Bennett College prepared for success in the world of work and further studies, possessing a greater appreciation of the history and culture of
IS 425 Spring 2008 Syllabus­Page 3 Africa and the African Diaspora, the struggles and accomplishments of women, and a realization of their own ability and the possibilities to help change the world. Bennett College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033, 404­679­4500, www.sacscoc.org; the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE); the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
IS 425 Spring 2008 Syllabus­Page 4