Heartland Community College
Master Course Syllabus
Division: HUMANITIES & FINE ARTS
COURSE PREFIX & NUMBER: WST 201
COURSE TITLE: Introduction to Women’s Studies
DATE PREPARED: January, 1996
DATE REVISED: March, 2004
PCS/CIP/ID NO: 11 050207 01
IAI NO. (if available): N/A
EFFECTIVE DATE OF FIRST CLASS:
CREDIT HOURS:
CONTACT HOURS:
LECTURE HOURS: 3
LABORATORY HOURS: 0
CATALOG DESCRIPTION (Include specific prerequisites):
Prerequisite: ENGL 101 or equivalent with a grade of “C” or better. An intensive and
critical examination of the nature and function of women in society from an
interdisciplinary perspective. The course may concentrate on specific disciplinary
approaches to issues critical to women. Areas such as historical examination of the
construction of women in society, feminist political philosophy, women in the arts,
literature, science, law, medicine and the family may be covered.
TEXTBOOKS:
Young, Iris Marion. Justice and the Politics of Difference. Princeton, NJ.: Princeton UP,
1990.
Jaggar, Alison. Feminist Politics and Human Nature. Totowa, NJ.: Rowan and Littlefield,
1983.
Several supplemental readings assigned by instructor.
RELATIONSHIP TO ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND
TRANSFERABILITY:
WST 201 fulfills 3 hours of elective credit for the A.A. and A.S. degrees. It should transfer
to most colleges and universities as an elective course. However, since WST 201 is not part
of either the General Education Core Curriculum or a baccalaureate major program described
in the Illinois Articulation Initiative, students should check with an academic advisor for
information about its transferability to other institutions. WST 201 fulfills the SOAR
graduation requirement at Heartland Community College.
COURSE OBJECTIVES (Learning Outcomes)
Students in this course will be able to:
LO
Develop a working understanding of the history and
development of feminist thought.
Understand and critique the usefulness of various
approaches to the study of women's issues.
Develop an understanding of the cultural, social and
political structures that maintain the oppression of women.
Generate ideas and gather supporting evidence in order to C3
develop arguments on issues that affect women (C3).
Evaluate various methods for researching issues that affect PS4
women.
Understand ways of developing modes of social
D6
responsibility that will encourage critical citizenship.
Assessment
formal writing, test
items
test items, formal
writing
extended formal
writing, writing to
learn activity
COURSE/LAB OUTLINE:
1. Introduction and what to expect in this course
2. The Possibility of Feminist Theory
3. Radical Feminism
4. Marxist/Socialist Feminism
5. Sisterhood and Solidarity Between Women: The Importance of Difference
6. Rethinking Theory
METHOD OF EVALUATION (Tests/Exams, Grading System):
Student assessment will be based on the following:
Grade on class participation--15%
Grade on group presentations--15%
Grade on position papers--10%
Grade on individual papers--20%
Grade on final project--20%
Grade on portfolio--20%
Final grades will be determined according to the following scale:
92 to 100% = A
83 to 91% = B
74 to 82% = C
65 to 73% = D
Below 65% = F
REQUIRED WRITING AND READING:
Students will be required to write position papers on readings. Small groups will lead
discussion twice during the semester and provide a written report in their presentation.
Students will write two minor papers of between 3-5 pages and a final project of between 810 pages. At the end of the semester, students will turn in a portfolio containing all the final
drafts of work they have done during the semester together with preceding drafts.
Assigned readings from textbooks as well as several instructor provided reading materials.
Students should note that theoretical material is often difficult and may need more than one
reading before class. A combination of active reading strategies and a willingness to write to
learn will help students in this course.