INTRODUCTION TO FEMINIST THEORY: PHIL 242
Fall 2009 MW 10:35 - 11:25, Plus conferences
Office phone: 514-398-3050
Arts W-120
Office Hours: MW 3:15 - 4:15 (935 Lea)
Professor Hasana Sharp
email: hasana.sharp@mcgill.ca
Course Description:
This class will survey a diverse range of concepts, themes, and problems central to feminist theory. The
history of feminist theory represents, in large part, a debate about the nature, aims, and concerns of feminism itself.
Feminist theory is characterized by conflict over such questions as: What counts as a feminist concern or problem?
How does gender-based subordination operate? What is the nature of sexual difference? Who is and ought to be
included within the terms of feminist theory and political practice? We will consider a range of feminist analyses of
oppression, sexism, patriarchy, gendered embodiment, morality, selfhood, and resistance. We will likewise consider
criticisms of feminist theory’s history of exclusion with respect to class, race, transgenderism, and intersexuality.
This course will be issues-based, but will acquaint students with approaches to feminist theory from various
traditions and perspectives.
Students should note that while they will not be expected to have any prior knowledge of feminist theory
or political theory, they should be prepared to read a substantial amount, and to learn how to read, write and
discuss philosophy. Note also that this course is an introduction to feminist theory and not an introduction to the
circumstances that have given rise to feminist theory. We will begin with two assumptions: that women do not
now enjoy equality with men, and that this is neither a natural nor a necessary state of affairs.
Text:
The Feminist Philosophy Reader, edited by Alison Bailey and Chris Cuomo (McGraw Hill, 2008)
Available at “The Word” bookstore on 469 Milton Street and on reserve in the Birks reading room
This course will be supported by MyCourses.
Requirements:
Reading: Come to class having read the day’s assignment, prepared to discuss the material. Please note that you are
responsible for all of the assigned material even if we do not get around to a detailed discussion of it in class.
Conferences: Beginning the week of September 14, you are required to attend conferences with your TA where you
will able to raise any questions you may have, review, explore, and discuss the material with your peers. You are
permitted 3 absences, after which your participation grade will be affected. (10%)
NB: The period prior to the course add deadline is not considered optional. You are responsible for the reading and conference
attendance will be taken into account. If you are considering taking the course, plan to attend the first conference.
Two short papers: There will be two brief papers (600 words each) that will analyze a concept, argument, question, or
problem drawn from the reading. Students are encouraged to discuss their papers, or submit rough drafts well in
advance of the due date, but not immediately prior. (25% each)
NB: written assignments will not be accepted by email. Late assignments will suffer a 1/3 grade deduction per day. Thus an
evaluation of A- will become a B+, should it be one day late. There will be no exceptions without valid medical documentation
that is promptly submitted to the professor.
Final exam: There will be a cumulative take-home exam. (40% of grade)
Grading Criteria: To do excellent work in this course, you need to be able to do more than just reiterate what various
authors have said in your reading or what was said in class. An "A" indicates that you not only understand and
comprehend the material, but that you have thought critically about it, fully fleshing out its subtleties and implications
so that you can creatively apply the material at many levels. A "B" reflects an above-average understanding of the
material without any major errors; however, "B" work doesn't capture the complexity of the issues and tends toward
accurate summary rather than independent analysis. A "C" suggests a struggle with the material that manages an
average, basic comprehension of it but is flawed by some significant misunderstandings or errors. A "D" indicates only
a rudimentary comprehension of part of the material with most of the material being misunderstood. An "F" indicates
no understanding of the material.
Academic Integrity: McGill University values academic integrity. Therefore all students must understand the
meaning and consequences of cheating, plagiarism and other academic offences under the Code of Student
Conduct and Disciplinary Procedures (see http://www.mcgill.ca/integrity for more information). Note that the
code stipulates that any assignment suspected of plagiarism should be submitted directly to the associate dean for
review.
Notes: In the event of extraordinary circumstances beyond the University’s control, the content and/or evaluation
scheme in this course is subject to change.
In accord with McGill University’s Charter of Students’ Rights, students in this course have the right to
submit in English or in French any written work that is to be graded.
Month
Sept
Wk
i
ii
Day
2
7
9
11
iii
Oct
iv
14
16
21
v
23
28
vi
viii
viii
ix
Nov
x
xi
xii
Dec
30
5
7
7/9
12
14
19
21
26
28
2
4
9
11
11/13
16
xiii
18
23
25
xiv
30
2
3
Schedule
All readings in textbook unless otherwise noted.
Assignment Due
NO CLASS – Prof. at conference (APSA) (Begin first reading assignment)
NO CLASS – Labor day
Introduction to course – start discussing Gayle Rubin, “The Traffic in
Women: Notes on the ‘Political Economy’ of Sex,” pp. 13-41
Gayle Rubin, “The Traffic in Women: Notes on the ‘Political Economy’ of
Sex,” pp. 13-41
Marilyn Frye, “Oppression,” pp. 41-48.
Sandra Bartky, “On Psychological Oppression,” pp. 51-60.
Audre Lorde, “The Master’s Tools Will Never Dismantle the Master’s
House,” pp. 49-51; María Lugones, “Playfulness, ’World’-Travelling, and
Loving Perception,” pp. 69-79.
Simone de Beauvoir, “Introduction to the Second Sex,” pp. 87-97
Susan Bordo. “The Body and the Reproduction of Femininity.”
(MyCourses)
Judith Butler, “Performative Acts and Gender Constitution,” pp. 97-107.
Anne Fausto-Sterling, “Should There be only Two Sexes?”, pp. 124-144.
Judith Halberstam, “Transgender Butch,” pp. 144-163.
1st short paper due to be turned in to TA at conference.
NO CLASS – THANKSGIVING
Catharine MacKinnon, “Sexuality,” pp. 204-222.
Andrea Dworkin, from Intercourse (link on MyCourses)
Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw, “Mapping the Margins,” pp. 279-309.
Alison Bailey, “Locating Traitorous Identities,” pp. 344-355.
Jessica Benjamin, “A Desire of One’s Own,” pp. 188-204.
Carol Gilligan, “Moral Orientation and Moral Development,” pp. 467-478.
NO CLASS – CONFERENCE (RM)
Kelly Oliver, “Conflicted Love, pp. 506-519.
Sarah Hoagland, “Separating from Heterosexualism,” pp. 519-538.
2nd short paper due to be turned in to TA at conference.
Marilyn Friedman, “Autonomy, Social Disruption, and Women,” pp. 570583.
Iris Marion Young, “Difference and Social Policy,” pp. 638-648.
Chris Cuomo, “Claiming the Right to be Queer,” pp. 241-249.
Chandra Talpade Mohanty, “Women Workers and Capitalist Scripts,” pp.
379-401.
Gloria Anzaldúa, “La Conciencia de la Mestiza: Toward a New
Consciousness,” pp. 870-878.
Donna Haraway, “A Cyborg Manifesto” (link on MyCourses)
Wrap up course, discuss final.