Suffolk University
Prof. Giancola
Office Hours: Weds. 10- 12 & by appointment
PHIL 228 Feminist Philosophy
dgiancol@suffolk.edu
Phone 617-573-8258
This course is an introduction into the philosophical perspectives of feminist thought.
Feminist approaches including radical, liberal, post-modernist, and multiculturalist will
be discussed in regards to their critiques of traditional philosophical theories in
methodology, morality, epistemology and ecology. Issues of oppression, racism, sexism
and classism will be presented as interlocking systems of domination. Special emphasis
will be placed on explicit and implicit practices of alienation and exclusion as they have
unfolded in the “gendering” of knowledge, thought, truth, and reality. Students will be
expected to be active and critical thinkers. Classes will be conducted by means of
lectures, class presentations and discussions. A word of warning: Every belief system
is a belief system to be transcended.
Texts:
Nothing Sacred, Women Respond to Religious Fundamentalism and Terror,
ed. Betsy Reed
The Second Sex, Simone de Beauvior
Feminist Philosophies, ed. Kourany, Sterba, Tong
This Sex Which Is Not One, Luce Irigaray
Gyn/Ecology: The Metaethics of Radical Feminism, Mary Daly
Additional Text:
Cunt, Inga Muscio (2nd edition by Inga Muscio & Betty Dodson
Readings: (handouts)
“I Brake for Feminists: Debates and Divisions within Women’s Studies,” Ruth
Perry
“The Possibility of Feminist Theory,” Marilyn Frye
“Regarding Gender, Essentialism, Constructionism and Feminist Psychology,”
Jain S. Bohan
“In a Different Voice: Women’s Conception of Self and Morality,” Carol Gilligan
“How I Got to Harvard” Laurie James
“The Weapon of Rape,” Nicholas Kristof
“Compulsory Heterosexuality and Lesbian Existence” Adrienne Rich
“Appropriating Women’s Bodies” Linda Lemoncheek
“Understanding the Other Sister” Susan Muaddi Darraj
This Bridge Called my Back, Cherríe Moraga and Gloria Anzaldúa (selections)
“Feminism: A Tansformational Politic,” bell hooks
“Eco-feminism: Symbolic and Social Connections of the Oppression of Women
and the Domination of Nature,” Rosemary Radford Ruether
Course Requirements and Grading:
Attendance: Regular attendance for class is required.
Class Materials: Handouts and additional course materials are available at
www.herunderground.com (see classes)
Class participation: Students are expected to arrive at class on time and prepared. You
are responsible for all material and assigned texts. You are responsible for all weekly
reading and writing assignments. In addition you are also required to be active
participants in both formal and informal class discussions, presentations and debate.
Weekly Reading Assignments: Students will be expected to keep up with weekly
reading assignments as indicated in the course calendar.
Weekly Writing Assignments: Students will be expected to keep a weekly journal (1-2
pp. per entry) detailing thoughts and analysis on readings and class discussions.
Presentations: Students will give two ten minute class presentation.
Research Paper/Final: One ten page research paper complete with thesis, bibliography
and footnotes will be due at the end of the semester. Students will be expected to follow
MLA guidelines.
Grading Policy: The grade for the course will consist of an average of the journal,
presentations, and research paper. Students will be provided with the opportunity of
earning extra credit by attending philosophy department lectures/events and
submitting a written analysis (1 p.). Any additional credit after that is based on class
participation and effort and completely dependent upon the judgment of the professor.
Incompletes: This professor does not give “incompletes” without a compelling reason.
Note that according to CAS policy on incompletes, work not completed within one
calendar year will automatically and irrevocably turn the final course grade to “F”.
Plagiarism: Plagiarism is a serious offense. Please see CAS policy guidelines.
Course Calendar:
Sept. 2: introduction to feminist theory, what is feminism, how is it different from
traditional philosophical theory, radical roots of feminism, divisions between
feminist (essentials, post-modernist, radical lesbians, Marxist, socialist,
multiculturalists, etc.)
Sept. 9: problems of framing, methodology and feminist methodology, epistemology
and the problem with philosophy, essentialist and deconstruction (post
modernist) debate.
READ: “I Brake for Feminists: Debates and Divisions within Women’s Studies,”
“The Possibility of Feminist Theory,” Marilyn Frye
“Regarding Gender, Essentialism, Constructionism and Feminist Psychology,”
Jain S. Bohan
Sept 16: class presentations on Feminist Philosophies, Kourany, Sterba, Tong
Sept. 23: (class presentations)women as other, epistemology, the gendering of
knowledge, patriarchy and gender roles, biology as destiny, nurture vs. nature.
READ: The Second Sex, Simone de Beauvior
Sept. 30: morality and identity, moral repression, learning the narrative.
READ: “In a Different Voice: ” Carol Gilligan
“How I Got to Harvard” Laurie James
Oct. 7: religious fundamentalism and oppression, religion and culture wars
against women
READ: Nothing Sacred, Women Respond to Religious Fundamentalism and Terror,
ed. Betsy Reed
“The Weapon of Rape,” Nicholas Kristof
Oct. 15-22: feminism and sexuality, self defined sexual identity, the naming of desire
READ: This Sex Which is Not One, Luce Irigaray
Oct. 29: sexuality and feminist identity, lesbian ethics and radical feminism, practices
of alienation, oppression and deception, lesbian ethics.
READ: “Compulsory Heterosexuality” Adrienne Rich
“Appropriating Women’s Bodies” Linda Lemoncheek
Nov. 5: Film: Mindwalk with 2 pp. response paper.
Nov. 12: feminist social and cultural ideologies, multiculturalism and feminism.
READ: “Understanding the Other Sister” Susan Muaddi Darraj
This Bridge Called my Back, Cherríe Moraga and Gloria Anzaldúa
“Feminism: A Tansformational Politic,” bell hooks
Nov. 19: eco-feminism, feminism and deep ecology, “metaethics of radical feminism.”
READ: Gyn/Ecology, Mary Daly (introduction)
“Eco-feminism: Symbolic and Social Connections of the Oppression of Women
and the Domination of Nature,” Rosemary Radford Ruether
Nov. 25 – Dec. 2: class discussion, envisioning a feminist politic/ spirituality
READ: Cunt, Inga Muscio
Papers Due!
"I am not interested in pursuing a society that uses analysis, research,
and experimentation to concretize their vision of cruel destinies. . .
a society with arrogance rising, moon in oppression and sun in destruction."
Barbara Cameron from This Bridge Called my Back
"The women's movement is the greatest single hope for the survival of spiritual
consciousness on this plantet." Mary Daly