Syllabus
200WS – 7501- 78897– Introduction to Women’s Studies in the
Social Sciences
(Spring 2009, M/W 1:00 PM)
Instructor:
Instructor:
Andrea Deal, Associate Professor
Phone: (270) 824-1847
Office and Hours: 117 LRC, North Campus, 10:45-11:30 T/R, 12:15-1:00 M/W,
and 2:15-3:15 M/W.
E-Mail Address: Andrea.deal@kctcs.edu
Course Description:
An introduction to women’s studies from a social science perspective, using a
cross-cultural and interdisciplinary approach. Introduces students to social science
explanations for sex-typed behavior, to social perceptions of women and men, and to the
roles of women in social and cultural life.
Textbook and Materials:
None Required. Students will be required to access multiple readings available
on the internet. The list of readings include:
*Solanas, Valerie “S.C.U.M. Manifesto”
http://www.womynkind.org/scum.htm
*De Beauvoir, Simone “Woman as Other”
http://www.marxists.org/reference/subject/ethics/de-beauvoir/2ndsex/introduction.htm
*Truth, Sojourner “Ain’t I a Woman?”
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/sojtruth-woman.html
*Woolf, Virginia “Thinking About Shakespeare’s Sister”
http://egophelia.free.fr/2femme/woolfroomsister.htm
*Rhode, Deborah “Denials of Inequality”
Handout
*Quindlen, Anna “Still Needing the F Word”
http://www.newsweek.com/id/61881
Prerequisites:
Reading score of 18 or higher on the ACT (or equivalent) or successful
completion of 030RDG.
Course Requirements:
Attendance: Because this class depends upon the active participation of each
student, attendance is extremely important. Students have the opportunity to earn
100 participation points which count toward the final grade. Students who are
late to class on more than five occasions will lose one letter grade from their final
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grade. Students missing more than five class periods will automatically fail the
course.
Exams: There will be four major unit exams, each worth 100 points.
Reflections: Each reading/movie will require a written reflection paper, which
consists of a summary of the major points followed by the student’s
opinion/reaction/feeling in response to the reading. Each reflection paper will be
worth 20 points. There will also be a reflection paper over the online bias
assessment, for a total of 11 reflection papers.
Grading Distribution:
Exams – 400 possible points
Participation – 100 possible points
Written Reflections – 220 possible points
TOTAL = 720 possible points
648 - 720 points = A
576 - 647 points = B
504 - 575 points = C
Fewer than 504 points = E
Classroom Etiquette: The following classroom rules have been established to
provide a learning environment that is respectful to both the teacher and other
students. If a student chooses not to follow any of these guidelines, he/she may
be asked to withdraw from the course at the instructor’s discretion.
Cell phones must be turned off or set to “silent” before coming to class. Only
emergency calls should be taken during class and the student should leave the
room quietly without disturbing others.
All students should come to class prepared to work and learn. Always bring a
book, paper, pencil, and other materials with you and do not expect to borrow
from others.
Class will begin promptly. If a student must come in late, he/she should sit in the
open chair closest to the door.
All students will be expected to communicate with one another and with the
teacher in a professional and respectful manner.
Students should NOT bring their children to class with them.
General Education Competencies:
I.
Communicate Effectively
1.
Read and listen with comprehension.
(a) Students will read multiple text excerpts and write summaries and
personal response statements.
2.
Speak and write clearly using standard English.
(a) Students will read multiple text excerpts and write summaries and
personal response statements.
(b) Students will participate in in-class discussions of various feminist
theories.
3.
Interact cooperatively with others using both verbal and non-verbal means.
(a) Students will collaborate with one another to explore various points of
view regarding sociocultural aspects of feminist study.
II.
III.
IV.
Think Critically
1.
Make connections in learning across the disciplines and draw logical
conclusions.
(a) Students will read multiple text excerpts and apply expository reading
skills such as summarizing, as well analyze passages for tone, bias,
inference, argumentation, and evidence.
2.
Demonstrate problem solving through interpreting, analyzing,
summarizing, and/or integrating a variety of materials.
(a) Students will research a variety of topics using print and online
resources, analyze persuasive techniques, and present a synthesized
version of their ideas and the ideas of others.
Learn Independently
1.
Use appropriate search strategies and resources to find, evaluate, and use
information.
(a) Students will research opposing perspectives of various issues within
the field of women’s studies, synthesize information from multiple
sources, and share independently drawn conclusions with others.
2.
Make choices based upon awareness of ethics and differing
perspectives/ideas.
(a) Students will research opposing perspectives of various issues within
the field of women’s studies, synthesize information from multiple
sources, and share independently drawn conclusions with others.
Examine Relationships in Diverse and Complex Environments
1.
Recognize the relationship of the individual to human heritage and culture.
(a) Students will explore the unique history of women in America and
compare this history with the evolution of various women’s rights
movements around the globe.
2.
Develop an awareness of self as an individual member of a multicultural
global community.
(a) Students will explore the unique history of women in America and
compare this history with the evolution of various women’s rights
movements around the globe.
(b) Students will explore the status of women in other cultures and the
impact of culture of personal beliefs and values.
Inclement Weather Policy:
Whenever possible, the college will hold classes during periods of inclement
weather. College closing or class cancellations will be announced on local radio
and television stations: WBKR, WSTO, WKTG, WTTL, WHRZ and/or WHOP;
WEHT, WFIE, WTVW. If there is no announcement, the college is open and
classes are in session.
Information about student’s academic rights and academic offenses and the student’s
right to appeal may be found in the KCTCS Student Code of Conduct at
www.kctcs.edu/student/code/htm or under the student’s main page
on the MCC website.
Americans with Disabilities Act – If you have a
documented disability and need any type of
accommodation, you are required to register with the
Disability Resource Coordinator. Contact Valerie
Wolfe, Disability Resource Coordinator, Room 112
LRC, 270-824-1708.
200WS -7501 – 78997 Introduction to Women’s Studies in
the Social Sciences
Tentative Schedule
Date
January 12
January 14
January 19
January 21
January 26
January 28
February 2
February 4
February 9
February 11
February 16
February 18
February 23
February 25
March 2
March 4
March 9
March 11
March 16
March 18
March 23
Activity
Introduction; What is gender? What is feminism?
Reading Assignment: S.C.U.M. Manifesto
Myths of Feminism, Are you a feminist?
Discussion of “S.C.U.M. Manifesto,” First Reflection Due
Assignment: Test Your Hidden Bias, www.tolerance.org
No Class – MLK Jr. Day
How are gender roles learned? Do all societies look at gender the same
way?
Discussion of self-assessment, Second Reflection Due
Unit I Exam
Reading Assignment: “Woman as Other”
Who is “Lilith”? Women’s rights in American history
“Thank a Feminist”
Discussion of “Woman as Other,” Third Reflection Due
Reading Assignment: “Ain’t I a Woman?”
Intersection of multiple types of “otherness”
Discussion of “Ain’t I a Woman?,” Fourth Reflection Due
What is “suffrage”?
Iron Jawed Angels
Iron Jawed Angels
Discussion of Movie, Fifth Reflection Due
Reading Assignment: Notes on “Thinking About Shakespeare’s Sister”
No Class – President’s Day
Discussion of “Thinking About Shakespeare’s Sister,” Sixth Reflection
Due
Reading Assignment: Denials of Inequality
Margaret Sanger & Contraception
Discussion of “Denials of Inequality,” Seventh Reflection Due
Reading Assignment: “Still Needing the F Word”
Discussion of evolution of thinking, personal ideas about feminism
Discussion of “Still Needing the F Word,” Eighth Reflection Due
Unit II Exam
Catch Up Day
Spring Break
Spring Break
Images of women in the media, advertising & music, beauty pageants
Eating Disorders & Designer Bodies
Unit III Exam
March 25
March 30
April 1
April 6
April 8
April 13
April 15
April 20
April 22
April 27
April 29
May 6,
WEDNESDAY
Women in the Islamic World
Beauty Academy of Kabul
Beauty Academy of Kabul
Discussion of Movie, Ninth Reflection Due
One Man, Four Wives
One Man, Four Wives
Discussion of Movie, Tenth Reflection Due
Sexual Slavery in Asia and South America
FGM, Fistulas in Africa
Global Militarism: Rape as a Weapon of War, Comfort Women
The Greatest Silence: Rape in the Congo
The Greatest Silence: Rape in the Congo
Unit IV Exam