Study Guide 9 – Feminist Theory
Please remember to use your own words in all your responses.
George Ritzer – Sociological Theory – Chapter 13
1. Why is the concept of “gender” important in feminist theory?
2. Please explain briefly what the first, second, and third wave feminism are.
3. What is the main goal of the liberal feminists’ political agenda?
4. What does patriarchy mean and why is this important in terms of feminist theory?
5. What does intersectionality mean?
6. What does standpoint mean for intersectionality theorists?
7. What are the characteristics of a feminist sociology of knowledge for the authors of
the chapter?
Dorothy Smith “Sociological theory: Methods of Writing Patriarchy”
8. What is Dorothy Smith’s primary criticism of mainstream sociological thought?
9. In what way does mainstream sociology objectify women’s experience?
10. How did Durkheim, Parsons and other sociological thinkers help to strengthen
this objectifying mode of thought?
11. What solution does Smith propose as a way out of this mode of thinking?
Bell hooks “Black Women Shaping Feminist Theory”
12. What’s bell hooks’ main point in this article?
13. What is her principal criticism of mainstream feminist thought?
14. What are some of the reasons according to hooks that the views of non-white
women were marginalized as the feminist movement developed?
15. Does bell hooks seek to diminish the efficacy of feminist theory? If not, then what
is her goal?