WMS200: Issues in Women and
Gender Studies
Fall Semester 2015; 10:15-11:20am MWF
Instructor: Darby Lewes, Professor of English
Office D324; office hours 12:45-1:45 MW
Office: (570) 321-4114
Course Information
Women and Gender Studies 200 is a concentrated examination of contemporary
gender issues. The course will examine, among other things, the social
construction of gender, feminist research methods and theories, and the role of
patriarchy in women’s lives. We will also examine a variety of issues, including
gender and its impact on language, art, science, politics, culture, violence, race,
class, ethnic differences, sexuality, and pornography. Prerequisite: English 106.
This class will enable students to recognize the central issues in Women and
Gender Studies and understand their cultural and historical contexts. Through
classroom discussion and written work, they will learn to interpret, discuss, and
write about issues in Women and Gender Studies in a thoughtful, focused, and
coherent manner.
Required Textbook:
Sex, Gender and Sexuality (Oxford), ISBN 978-0-19-993450-8
(Highly) Recommended Textbooks:
Two "college" dictionaries: a decent hardcover dictionary for home use (easily the
best investment you will ever make) and a paperback for the classroom.
A good thesaurus.
A style manual (MLA preferred)
Requirements:
Attend class regularly. Since class participation is essential to the
structure of the course, students with more than three absences will
have their grades dropped a full mark; students with six absences will
automatically fail the class.
Turn in all assigned work on time. There are no late papers in this class: only
timely papers and "F" papers. Extensions may be arranged, IN ADVANCE, if the
situation warrants.
Expect surprise quizzes on a regular basis. Grades for these quizzes will be
averaged into the class participation grade.
Grade Distribution:
Two exams, 40 points each
Final exam, 60 points
Three essays (3-5 pp), 40 points each
Class participation, 40 points
Journals, 40 points
Presentations (number and point values TBA)
Chapter questions, 40 points
NB: Journals and chapter questions must be submitted in class ONLY
on the date the chapter material is discussed or with permission of the
instructor.
Lycoming College provides academic support for students who officially disclose diagnosed
learning, physical, and psychological disabilities. If you have a diagnosed disability and would
like to seek accommodations, please contact Jilliane Bolt-Michewicz, Assistant Dean of Academic
Services/Director of the Academic Resource Center. Dean Bolt-Michewicz will help you arrange
for appropriate academic accommodations. She can be reached by calling (570) 321-4050,
emailing michewicz@lycoming.edu, or visiting her office (Academic Resource Center, 3rd Floor
of Snowden Library).
Course outline and Assignments:
Week #1:
August 24 Part I
Monday:
Course introduction, Film
Wednesday:
Film: “Miss Representation”
Friday:
“Rethinking Foundations” and Fausto-Sterling (1-34)
Week #2:
31 August
Monday :
Rupp
Wednesday:
Carpenter
Friday:
Discussion: bring videos
Week #3:
7 September
Monday:
No class: read Ferber
Wednesday:
Ferber, Messerschmidt
Friday:
Student meetings
Week #4:
14 September
Monday:
Ingraham
Wednesday:
4 presentations (week 1-4 topics)
Friday:
Exam# 1
Week #5:
21 September Part II
Monday:
Naber; Essay #1 due in Turnitin by 4PM
Wednesday:
Film: “Not Without My Daughter”
Friday:
Film: “Not Without My Daughter”
Week #6:
28 September
Monday:
Naber, Harding, Wilchins
Wednesday:
Presentations (bring videos)
Friday:
Tabatabai
Week #7:
5 October
Monday:
4 presentations (book reports)
Wednesday:
4 presentations (week 4-7 topics)
Friday:
`
Student meetings
Week #8 :
12 October Part III
Monday:
Exam #2
Wednesday:
Martin
Friday:
No class- Long Weekend
Week #9:
19 October
Monday:
Film: “Boys Don’t Cry”
Wednesday:
Film: “Boys Don’t Cry”
Friday:
Blackledge
Week #10:
26 October
Monday:
Smith
Wednesday:
Presentations: bring videos
Friday:
Perry
Week #11:
2 November Part IV
Monday:
Woolfe; Essay #2 due in Turnitin by 4PM
Wednesday:
Rochlin, Skolnik
Friday:
Lorber
Week #12:
9 November
Monday:
Feinberg
Wednesday:
Film: “Priscilla Queen of the Desert”
Friday:
Film: “Priscilla Queen of the Desert”
Week #13:
16 November
Monday:
4 presentations (week 9-13 topics)
Wednesday:
Paper presentations
Friday:
Paper presentations
Week #14:
23 November
Monday:
Student meetings
Wednesday:
No class- Thanksgiving Holiday
Friday:
No class- Thanksgiving Holiday
Week # 15:
30 November
Monday:
Class Evaluations; Paper presentations
Wednesday:
Discussion: bring videos
Friday:
Review for exam; Essay #3 due in Turnitin by 4PM
Week #16:
7 December Final Exam: Date and time TBA
Extra stuff
(thanks to Anne Fletcher, Loyola U Chicago)
Study Partners
List the name, phone number, and e-mail address for a “study partner” here:
Name ________________________________
Phone number _______________________
email address ____________________________.
Just in case you and your partner are absent on the same day, you should get a
second partner as a backup:
Name ________________________________________
Phone number _________________________
email address _________________________________.
Academic Conduct
You are expected to avoid any sort of academic misconduct. You must never seek
to claim credit for the work or efforts of another without authorization or citation;
you must never use unauthorized materials or fabricated data; you must never
intentionally impede or damage the academic work of others; (or assist other
students in doing so); you must never cheat on an examination, submit a paper or
assignment as your own work when a part (even a small part) or all of the paper or
assignment is the work of another, or submit a paper or assignment that contains
ideas or research of others without appropriately identifying the sources of those
ideas. Academic misconduct will result in class failure, a trip to the Provost, and,
in particularly egregious violations, expulsion from the College.
Classroom Environment
You should be prepared to speak often in class, to participate in class activities
beyond simple note-taking. Classes will be conducted seminar-style, with much
small group discussion and active participation in large group discussion being
expected of each student. I do not merely want bodies in attendance; I expect to
see prepared and thinking students. This means that you will bring the required
materials and complete any assignments due for that particular day. You should
read the assignments listed on the syllabus before class. In addition to doing well
on the exams and the papers, the best way to illustrate that you are an active,
engaged, and interested student is by contributing regularly to class discussions. I
do not want to lecture; I want you to participate actively in creating a learning
environment in the class by constantly challenging each other and supporting each
other's learning.
Reading
You should expect to do plenty of reading—often 20-30 pages or more per
class. Since you signed up for this course, I expect you to fulfill the very least of your
responsibilities: complete the readings listed on the syllabus before you come to class-not just by skimming the material but by actively and carefully reading each
assignment. Take notes in the margin and look up unfamiliar words.