INTRODUCTION TO WOMEN’S STUDIES – CRN 33599
Spring 2016
Instructor: Donna Hunter, M.A., CMHC
Required Texts:
E-mail: dhunter@weber.edu
1. Freedman, Estelle B. (2002). No Turning Back: The History of Feminism
Phone : 801 626-6406
Office: SSC Room 280, Ogden Campus
and the Future of Women. New York: Ballantine
Books. (http://www.randomhousebooks.com/?s=estelle+freedman#nogo)
2. Johnson, Allan. (2014). The Gender Knot. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: Temple
Class website: canvas.weber.edu
University Press. (http://www.temple.edu/tempress/)
Dept.
3. Solinger, Rickie. (2013) Reproductive Politics: What Everyone Needs to
website:
http://www.weber.edu/womengenderstudies/ Know. New York: Oxford University Press.
Office or Chat Hours: By Appointment
(https://global.oup.com/academic/?cc=us&lang=en)
Required Films*: For those students outside the local area, please work
with
your local library to secure items through the Interlibrary Loan programs
(ILL). It can take 2 weeks to get material in so please check the syllabus to
request the films from your library in a timely fashion.
The Invisible War* (available for rent on Amazon Instant Video for 3.99 or
Netflix)
Killing Us Softly 4 - Jean Kilbourne (WSU Library)
Tough Guise (1999) - Jackson Katz (WSU Library)
Who's Counting?- https://www.nfb.ca/film/whos_counting
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The course is an introduction to the discipline of women's studies using historical, modern and
multicultural sources based on current feminist scholarship. We will examine the diversity of
women's experiences through history and how they are shaped by social structures such as gender
systems, politics and economics. We will also analyze how experiences are mediated by categories
of race, class, sexual orientation, and ethnicity. Finally, we will examine what activism looks like
historically and what it looks likes now.
COURSE ORGANIZATION, READINGS and FILMS
This course is entirely online and managed through the Canvas Learning Management
System. It is divided into modules and each module begins with a short recorded lecture. The
modules also house additional readings which supplement the assigned texts. You’ll find the
textbook readings for each module listed on the syllabus and any additional readings for that
module are housed within the module. Recordings often refer to supplemental materials
(short film clips, Youtube clips, etc.) housed in the module which provide additional examples
and understanding of concepts discussed. You can use these to further your learning.
Health Note: The film The Invisible War deals with themes of sexual assault in the military
and has the potential to be triggering. I would advise assessing your wellbeing as you
approach this assignment. You can navigate it by arranging adequate emotional and
relational support.
Everyone is welcome to access the Counseling and Psychological
Services Center at (801) 626-6406 or http://www.weber.edu/CounselingCenter/.
There is a
substitute film available upon request. The film Tough Guise was updated in 2013 and is
much more graphic in terms of cultural violent images than the 1999 version. You are free to
use either version but the 1999 version was the model for the assignment. Again, use
wisdom and discretion.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
1.
Students will analyze current social and/or political situations through the lens of women
and gender studies.
2.
Students will identify, compare, and evaluate culturally and/or historically specific
constructs of gender.
3.
Students will analyze systems of power, privilege, and/or oppression and be able to
articulate how those systems shape the experiences of individuals and members of
communities.
4.
Students will be able to recall, describe, and summarize various gender/feminist theories
and/or scholarship
ACADEMIC RESOURCES

Canvas technical support: (801) 626-6499 (Email: wsuonline@weber.edu)

IT Help Desk: (801) 626-7777 (Email: csupport@weber.edu)

Library circulation: (801) 626-6545

Library reference: (801) 626-6415

Chitester support: (801) 626-6477

Chitester proctoring: (801) 626-8623

Plagiarism tutorial at http://www.lib.usm.edu/legacy/plag/plagiarismtutorial.php.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY STATEMENT
All students are expected to behave in accordance with the rights and responsibilities
outlined in the WSU Student Code ( http://documents.weber.edu/ppm/6-22.htm ). In regards
to academic honesty, you are expected to complete all academic work without resorting to
cheating, plagiarism, collusion, falsification, lying, and/or bribery. All work and assignments
are to be your own work, unless otherwise instructed by the professor. Students who commit
infractions of the WSU Student Code will be dealt with according to procedures outlined in
the WSU student code. Penalties could include receiving a failing grade for this course,
WSU subscribes to TurnItIn.com, an electronic service that verifies the originality of student
work. Enrollment in this course may require you to submit some or all of your assignments
toTurnItIn.com and documents submitted to it are retained, anonymously, in their databases.
Continued enrollment in this course constitutes an understanding of and agreement with this
policy.
CIVILITY STATEMENT
Each class participant is expected to treat the ideas, opinions and work of others with the
utmost respect. Derogatory remarks of any kind are not acceptable. In person etiquette and
online etiquette are expected to be used at all times – including the use of real names,
respecting one another's confidentiality, and the absence of any libelous, or abusive
remarks. All communication with class members and with me must be respectful and
professional. Students are expected to maintain confidentiality regarding other students’
personal information/experiences that may be shared as part of class activities. Please use
good judgment regarding what you choose to disclose on online forums with other
classmates. You are not required to disclose things about yourself in assignments that you
are not comfortable disclosing. (Sometimes it helps to jot down the essence of your ideas
before you begin to speak. Online, using ‘door openers’ are always helpful – “Could you say
more about that?” In this way you can help co-create an online neighborhood of which you
are proud to be a part. You can disagree with someone's position without eroding their
worth. ) As for me, at times some material may trigger upsetting emotions. If you contact
me, I am available to help you process these moments and/or provide alternative
assignments as each case warrants.
ADA STATEMENT / STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Any student requiring accommodations or services due to a disability must contact Services
for Students with Disabilities (SSD) in Room 181 of the Student Service Center (Ogden
Campus), preferably at the beginning of the semester. Services for Students with Disabilities
can arrange to provide course materials (including this syllabus) in an alternative format, if
necessary. Documented requests for ADA accommodations will be honored as appropriate.

Contact Info: Office of Students with Disabilities: (801) 626-6413, TDD (801) 626-7283,
Email: ssd@weber.edu.
QUIZ AND EXAM POLICY
Quiz and Final exam– these need to be completed at/within the designated times. Makeups
are only permitted on a case by case basis with notification of extenuating circumstances
(death, documented illness) before the cutoff date/time, and the consent of instructor to an
alternative plan.
LATE ASSIGNMENT POLICY - (assignments which are not quizzes or exams)
It is important that assignments be turned in on time as I need to grade them and/or they
are peer-reviewed. Assignments will only be accepted up to a week late. If you submit an
assignment late or not peer-reviewed, the starting grade from which I start grading your
assignment is an 90% as opposed to 100%. Alternatives to this are on a case by case basis
and are triggered with notification of extenuating circumstances (Examples: death in the
family, documented illness) before the cutoff date/time and with consent of instructor to an
alternative plan.
GRADING DETERMINATION AND PROCEDURE
I do not give grades; I merely record them as you earn them. As you are the project
manager of your education, please use the assignments to execute your personal
goals of maintaining scholarships, being an academic ninja, making your mother happy, etc.
(i.e. within the semester, plan your work and work your plan). Please do this within the
semester timetable as sometimes students want extra assignment to buffer a low final grade,
but all grades are based on the following categories:
Assignments
TOTAL
Weights
Module Discussion Assignments
5
30%
Module Summaries
6
40%
Autobiography
1
10%
Final
1
Total
20%
100%
Grades break following traditional scoring patterns:
93-100%
A
90-92%
B-
80-82%
C+
76-79%
D+
A-
B+
86-89%
83-85%
C
C-
66-69%
D
65-63%
F
Below 63%
73-75%
70-72%
B
Date
Assignments
Module
Subject
Readings/Resources
Open
Go to Module-Intro to the
Course for audio:
WS Introduction and
Jan. 11
Intro to
Class
History of Women's Studies
Orientation to the Course
Personal
Introduction
The Social Construction of
Gender – Judith Lorber
Identities and Social Location
Jan. 11
Module 1
Domination/Subordination
– Jean Baker Miller
Why History Matters Lerner
Summary
Telling the Truth about
Power - (only read
through p. 4; stop
@ 'Some Practical Steps
in Therapy')
Johnson – Chapters:
1. Where Are We?
Discussion
2. Patriarchy, The
System?
Jan. 11
Module 2
Gender and Power Systems
before feminism
Summary
3. Why Patriarchy
Freedman – Chapters:
1. The Historical Case for
Feminism
2. Gender and Power
Autobiography
Johnson – Chapters:
1. Feminists and Feminism
Feminist politics from
different perspectives: (types
Feb. 1
Module 3
2. What Patriarchy
of feminisms)
Freedman – Chapters:
European politics, American race
1. Women's Rights,
relations, sexual orientation
Women's Work and
relations and international
Women's Sphere
relations
2. Race and the Politics of
Identity...
3. The Global Stage and
the Politics of Location..
Essays and Documents:
Oppression - Marilyn Frye
Discussion
Summary
Homophobia – A Weapon
of Sexism - only read pp.
1-43, not the entire
thing!
The Invisible Crutch
Universal Declaration of
Human Rights/CEDAW
White Privilege and Male
Privilege - McIntosh
Films:
1. The Invisible War - adult
themes of sexual assault in
the military.
A substitute
is available upon request
Freedman – Chapters:
1. Never Done, Women's
Domestic Labor.
Work and Family Politics, Wages
Feb. 22
Module 4
and Social Policy
Women and Domestic Labor
2. Industrialization: Wage
Discussion
Summary
Labor...
3. Workers and Mothers....
Films:
1. Counting for Nothing
Essays:
1. The Mommy Tax
Discussion
Body Politics, Sexuality and
Mar. 14
Module 5
Reproductive Politics,
Violence against Women
Freedman – Chapters:
1. Medicine, Markets....
2. Reproduction: The
Summary
Politics of Choice
3. Sexualities,
Identities....
4. Gender and Violence
Johnson - Chapters:
1. What Changes and
What Does Not: Manhood
and Violence
Solinger - Chapters:
pp. xv-60 (Preface - chap.
9)
Films:
Killing Us Softly 4
Tough Guise
Freedman – Chapters:
1. New Words & Images...
2. No Turning Back...
Mar. 28
Module 6
Activism: Spirituality, Creativity,
and Politics
Johnson - Chapters:
1. Shame, Guilt &
Responsibility
Discussion
Summary
2. What Can We Do?
Films:
Mind the Gap:
Apr. 3
Final Exam/Paper