HU6060 - Feminist Philosophy FALL 2013
MICHIGAN TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
GRADUATE CLASS
DR. L. ALEXANDRA MORRISON (lamorris@mtu.edu)
Meeting Times: Monday and Wednesday 9:35am –10:55am (Walker room 329)
Office Hours: Monday and Wednesday 3-4pm or by appointment (Walker room 340)
Required Texts:
Simone de Beauvoir, The Second Sex, trans. Borde and Malovany-Chevallier (Knopf:
2010).
Sandra Harding (ed.) The Feminist Standpoint Theory Reader: Intellectual & Political
Controversies (Routledge: 2004).
Judith Butler Gender Trouble: Feminism and The Subversion of Identity (Routledge:
1990).
Course Description: This course introduces students to the basic philosophical and
theoretical questions that animate 20th century feminist philosophy. We will study
various philosophical concepts including conceptions of the feminine, gender, nature,
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embodiment, situatedness and alterity. The various philosophical and theoretical
frameworks in which these concepts are utilized provide the necessary context for
adequately grasping these concepts. For example, in order to understand the main
arguments that feminist philosophers employ in their arguments for equality and
recognition of difference, students need to have a sufficient comprehension of
Psychoanalysis, Historical Materialism, Phenomenology and Existential Thought. To this
end we will read selected primary texts of Sigmund Freud, Karl Marx, Friedrich Engels,
Jacques Lacan, Martin Heidegger and Michel Foucault. In addition to reading the most
influential 20thC Feminist text, Beauvoir’s The Second Sex, we will also engage with the
works of Hélène Cixous, Luce Irigaray, Sarah Kofman, Julia Kristeva, Donna Haraway,
Sandra Harding, bell hooks and Judith Butler.
Course Goals: This course is meant to contribute to the students’ comprehension of
philosophy and feminist thought. Through readings, class discussions, and writing
assignments students will develop a complex understanding of the major concepts and
critiques in feminist thought; understand the breadth, depth, and variety of feminist
thought; critically evaluate theoretical assumptions and learn to confidently engage with
the complex metaphysical and epistemological foundations of theoretical work in any
domain.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
You will be asked to lead one philosophical discussion, submit questions before each
class meeting (except for the first class meeting), prepare a paper abstract and an
annotated bibliography, and submit a (conference length) final paper. Since this is a
graduate level seminar class which you must carefully read the materials and be prepared
to discuss them with appropriate level of rigor and attention to detail.
ONLINE LEARNING SYSTEM:
We will use Canvas for this course. I will upload assignments as well as readings to the
system. You can access Canvas at https://mtu.instructure.com/
GRADE BREAKDOWN:
Discussion Leadership/Presentation: 10%
Reading Questions: 20%
Abstract and Annotated Bibliography: 20%
Final Paper: 40%
Attendance and participation: 10%
Total: 100%
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Tentative Reading Schedule
WEEK 1: INTRODUCTION TO THE TOPIC
Wed. Sept. 4: Simone de Beauvoir, The Second Sex, Introduction pp. 3-17
*Butler, “Sex and Gender in Simone de Beauvoir’s Second Sex” p. 35-37 (posted in
Modules)
WEEK 2: CHALLENGING BIOLOGICAL REDUCTIONISM & FREUDIANISM
and FEMINISM
Mon. Sept. 9: Simone de Beauvoir, The Second Sex, Chapter 1: Biological Data pp. 21-48.
*The Biology and Gender Study Group, “The Importance of Feminist Critique for
Contemporary Cell Biology” pp. 63-73 (posted in Modules)
Wed. Sept. 11: Simone de Beauvoir, The Second Sex, Chapter 2: The Psychoanalytical
Point of View pp. 49-61
*Sigmund Freud, “Femininity” pp. 1-11 (posted in Modules)
WEEK 3: FREUDIANISM and FEMINISM
Mon. Sept 16: J. Russon, “The Bodily Unconscious in Freud’s ‘Three Essays’” pp. 35-49
(posted in Modules)
* Toril Moi, “From Femininity to Finitude: Freud, Lacan and Feminism, Again” pp. 841875 (posted in Modules)
Wed. Sept. 18: Sarah Kofman “Woman in Freud’s Writings” pp. 159-186 (posted in
Modules)
WEEK 4: BEAUVOIR’S CRITIQUE OF HISTORICAL MATERIALISM
AVERTED?
Mon. Sept. 23 – Karl Marx, The German Ideology pp. 1-14 (an excerpt posted in
modules)
Wed. Sept. 25 – Simone de Beauvoir, The Second Sex Chapter 3: “The Point of View of
Historical Materialism” pp. 62-68
*Martha Gimenez, “The Oppression of Women” pp. 71-82 (posted in Modules)
* Nancy Hartsock “The Feminist Standpoint: Developing the Ground for a Specifically
Feminist Historical Materialism” in The Feminist Standpoint Theory Reader pp. 35-50
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WEEK 5: BEING-IN-THE-WORLD-BEING-WITH or “STANDPOINT THEORY”
Mon. Sept. 30 – Martin Heidegger, Being and Time, Part 1, Division 1, IV: The
Worldhood of the World pp. 91-95 and Being-in-the-World as Being-With and BeingOne’s-Self. The- ‘They’ pp. 149-168 and sections on “Mood” pp. 172-179 and Angst pp.
228-235 (posted in Modules)
Wed. Oct. 2 – Sandra Harding, “Re-thinking Standpoint Epistemology: What is “Strong
Objectivity”? in The Feminist Standpoint Theory Reader, pp. 127-140.
WEEK 6 – THE SITUATION OF WOMEN
Mon. Oct. 7 – Simone de Beauvoir, The Second Sex, Volume II Lived Experience,
Introduction and Chapter 1: Childhood pp. 283-304 and The Girl p. 341-352 and Sexual
Initiation pp. 383-391
Wed. Oct. 9 – bell hooks, “Ain’t I a Woman?” (posted in Modules)
WEEK 7 – THE CONTINUING INFLUENCE OF PHENOMENO-EXISTENTIAL
THOUGHT
Mon. Oct. 14 – Simone de Beauvoir, The Second Sex, Conclusion pp. 753-766
*bell hooks “Choosing the Margin as A Space of Radical Openness” in The Feminist
Standpoint Theory Reader, pp. 153-159
Wed. Oct. 16 – tba
PRESENTATION DATES AND TOPICS/READINGS SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED BY
THIS DATE.
WEEK 8- WHAT’S THE TROUBLE?
Mon. Oct. 21 – Judith Butler, Gender Trouble, preface vii-xxxvi and Chapter 1 pp. 1-22
Wed. Oct. 23 –Judith Butler, Gender Trouble, Chapter 1 pp. 22-46
WEEK 9 – POLICING EMBODIMENT
Mon. Oct. 28 -- Michel Foucault, “Panopticism” pp. 264-277 (posted)
*Selections from Lacan - tba
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Wed. Oct. 30 – Judith Butler, Gender Trouble, Chapter 2 pp. 47-77
WEEK 10 – TRANSFORMING IDENTITIES
Mon. Nov. 4 Judith Butler, Gender Trouble, Chapter 3 pp. 107-150
Wed. Nov. 6 Judith Butler, Gender Trouble, Chapter 3 pp. 151-204
*Please note: The readings for the final four weeks of class will be determined by the
students themselves in consultation with the professor. These will be decided by the end
of week 7 and will be posted on CANVAS at that time. Detailed directions will be
provided in class.
WEEK 11
Mon. Nov. 11 – Presentation 1
Wed. Nov. 13 – Presentation 2
WEEK 12
Mon. Nov. 18 – Presentation 3
Wed. Nov. 20 – Presentation 4
Mon. Nov. 25, Wed. Nov. 27, Fri. Nov. 29 – Thanksgiving Break
WEEK 14
Mon. Dec. 2 – Presentation 5
Wed. Dec. 4 – Presentation 6
WEEK 15
Mon. Dec. 9 – Presentation 7
Wed. Dec. 11 – Presentation 8
GRADING SYSTEM
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Letter
Grad
e
A
AB
B
BC
C
CD
D
F
I
X
Grade
Percentage
points/credit Rating
93% & above
4.00
Excellent
87% – 92%
3.50
Very good
82% – 86%
3.00
Good
76% – 81%
2.50
Above average
70% – 75%
2.00
Average
65% – 69%
1.50
Below average
60% - 64%
1.00
Inferior
59% and below 0.00
Failure
Incomplete; given only when a student is unable to complete a
segment of the course because of circumstances beyond the
student’s control. A grade of incomplete may be given only when
approved in writing by the department chair or school dean.
Conditional, with no grade points per credit; given only when the
student is at fault in failing to complete a minor segment of a
course, but in the judgment of the instructor does not need to
repeat the course. It must be made up within the next semester in
residence or the grade becomes a failure (F). A (X) grade is
computed into the grade point average as a (F) grade.
**LATE PAPERS will result in a drop in a letter grade.
**Plagiarism is not tolerated and will result in failing the course. Consult the University
rules and guidelines regarding this serious breach of ethics. However, please note that all
materials used in the construction of your written work (notes, outlines, rough drafts, etc.)
should be saved until you have received a passing grade from me.
University Policies:
Academic regulations and procedures are governed by University policy. Academic
dishonesty cases will be handled in accordance with the University's policies. For more
information on this serious breach of conduct,
see:
http://www.studentaffairs.mtu.edu/dean/judicial/policies/academic_integrity.html
If you have a disability that could affect your performance in this class or that requires an
accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act, please see me as soon as
possible so that we can make appropriate arrangements. The Affirmative Action Office
has asked that you be made aware of the following: Michigan Tech complies with all
federal and state laws and regulations regarding discrimination, including the Americans
with Disabilities Act of 1990. If you have a disability and need a reasonable
accommodation for equal access to education or services at Michigan Tech, please call
the Dean of Students Office, at 487-2212. For other concerns about discrimination, you
may contact your advisor, department head or the Affirmative Action Office, at 487-3310
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For more information on these policies, see:
Affirmative Action: http://www.admin.mtu.edu/aao/
Disability Services:
http://www.admin.mtu.edu/urel/studenthandbook/student_services.html#disability
Eq
ual Opportunity Statement:
http://www.admin.mtu.edu/admin/boc/policy/ch3/ch3p7.htm
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