Introduction to Gender and Women’s Studies
GWS 101 (21317)
Fall 2011
Professor: Keri Brandt, Ph.D.
Class time and location: T/TH 8-10am, RL 86
Email: brandt_k@fortlewis.edu
Office: Reed Library 79
Phone: 247-7343
Office Hours: M 2-3pm, T/TH 10:30-11:30am, and W 11am-2pm, and by appointment
Readings
All readings should be completed by the day they are assigned.
Taylor, Verta, Nancy Whittier, and Leila J. Rupp. 2009. Feminist Frontiers (8th ed.).
Boston: McGraw-Hill (FF in your syllabus)
Electronic Reserved Readings: Available on electronic reserve, which can be accessed
through the Reed Library Main Menu. (ER in your syllabus)
Note: Bring all reading materials to class.
Course Overview
What is gender? What is sex? Is there even a difference between the two? This course will explore
gender (femininity, masculinity, and so on) through the lens of social construction theory. From
this perspective we will investigate the social meanings we attach to the sexes (female, male,
intersex) and the impact these meanings have on our everyday lived experiences. In addition, we
will explore the central role of Women’s Studies and feminist scholarship in making sense of
gender across a wide range of experiences, from the local to the global. In this way, it is crucial that
we investigate the variety of ways in which sex and gender intersect with other factors such as race,
class, sexuality, age, nation, ability, and so on to better understand various sites of power and
powerlessness.
Course Objectives
My hope is that students will:
1) Develop a deeper understanding of the social, historical, and cultural conditions that influence
our conceptions of sex and gender.
2) Be able to utilize the principles of feminist scholarship to make sense of the social world.
3) Leave this course with an interdisciplinary informed perspective to critically think about sex and
gender as it is experienced in the everyday world.
Classroom Expectations
I expect that students will have completed the assigned readings for each day. During most classes I
will be presenting new material, but this class will also involve a large amount of discussion that will
be based on the assigned readings, course lectures, films, and our individual understandings of the
social world. I hope that you will challenge yourselves to participate in class discussions and feel
safe to express your ideas. At the same time, being respectful of different points of view is a must in
this course, remembering that we are all here to learn and grow as human beings. This means that
rude interruptions, derogatory comments, and personal attacks will not be tolerated. Do not arrive
late, leave early, read the paper, and, please, NO side conversations during class. These behaviors
are disrespectful and disruptive.
Cell Phone Policy: Please TURN OFF your cell phone during class. This means, do not put your
phone on “vibrate” mode or “silent” mode. Cell phone interruptions – ringing phones, vibrating
phones, checking text or voice messages, making calls – are rude and disruptive to class. If your cell
phone rings or disrupts the class in any way, you will be required to bring a delicious snack for the
entire class for the next class meeting.
Evaluation Components
Attendance and Participation: Approximately 30 points of your grade is allotted for attendance and
participation in class discussions and activities. Evaluation of participation will be based on your
involvement with in-class discussions and activities. You are responsible for all the material covered
when absent. Please ask a fellow student for any material you have missed. Note: This means that
approximately 10% of your grade is in your control!
Lollypop Quizzes: There will be 11 lollypop quizzes throughout the fall semester. Each quiz will
consist of one question about the assigned reading(s) for that day. You are allowed to use your
reading notes during the quiz. Each quiz is worth 3 points (I will drop your lowest quiz score) for a
total amount of 30 points for the semester.
Exams: There will be a mid-term and final exam given during the semester. The mid-term exam is
worth 60 points and the final exam is worth 100 points.
Paper Assignment: There will be one paper assignment during the semester. The paper is worth 30
points. I will hand out guidelines in class. Note: I will not accept papers via email or on disk.
Course Support
I want to be part of your support system that will help you excel in this course. Use me as a
resource, and know that I am available to you when you need assistance. If you are struggling in
the course, please contact me sooner (rather than later) so that I may be able to help you with the
best resources available.
Late Work Policy
All late papers will lose one letter grade per class meeting following the original due date of the
assignment.
Honor Code
Acts of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated and are grounds for failure in this course.
They include but are not limited to: plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, aid of academic dishonesty,
and lying to the professor.
Disabilities Statement
Students with disabilities have equal access and equal opportunity in this course. If you have
specific physical, psychiatric, or learning disabilities and require accommodations, please let me
know early in the semester so that your learning needs may be appropriately met. You will need to
provide me with documentation of your disability from the Disability Services Office in 280 Noble
Hall (phone 247-7459).
Point Distribution
Attendance and Participation
LollyPop Quizzes (10x3)
Paper Assignment
Mid-Term
Final Exam
Total
30
30
30
60
100
250
Class Schedule *
Week One
Tuesday, Aug. 30
Topic: Introductions
Thursday, Sept. 1
Topic: What is Gender and Women’s Studies?
Read: FF: Introduction and ER: Wilchins “Sex! Is a Verb”
Week Two
Tuesday, Sept. 6
Topic: Social Construction of Gender
Read: ER: Lorber “Believing is Seeing”
Thursday, Sept. 8
Topic: Binary Thinking and Essentialism
Read: FF: Kimmel and ER: Fausto-Sterling “The Five Sexes”
Week Three
Tuesday, Sept. 13
Topic: Science, Medicine, and Gender
Read: FF: Kessler
Thursday, Sept. 15
Topic: Language and Deconstruction
Read: FF: Richardson and ER: Bilger “On Language”
Week Four
Tuesday, Sept. 20
Topic: The Myth of Mars and Venus
Read: ER: Cameron “The Myth of Mars and Venus”
Thursday, Sept. 22
Topic: Power and Privilege
Read: FF: McIntosh and FF: Rohrer and FF: Gunn Allen
Week Five
Tuesday, Sept. 27
Topic: Masculinities
Read: ER: Pascoe “Guys are just Homophobic”
Film: Tough Guise
Thursday, Sept. 29
Topic: Masculinities
Read: ER: O’Sullivan “Dead Man Walking”
Week Six
Tuesday, Oct. 4
Topic: Masculinity and Violence Against Women
Read: FF: Martin & Hummer
Thursday, Oct. 6
Topic: Catch Up Day
Week Seven
Tuesday, Oct. 11
-
Exam One Due
Thursday, Oct. 13
Topic: Feminism
Read: FF: Lorde and ER: hooks “Feminism is for Everybody”
Week Eight
Tuesday, Oct. 18
Topic: Multiracial Feminism
Read: FF: Zinn & Dill and FF: Springer
Thursday, Oct. 20
Topic: Femininities and The Body
Read: FF: Johston & Taylor and FF: Clare
Film: Killing Us Softly 4
Week Nine
Tuesday, Oct. 25
Topic: Making Bodies
Read: FF: Gimlin and ER: Darby “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice”
Thursday, Oct. 27
Topic: Transgender Feminism
Read: FF: Stryker
Week Ten
Tuesday, Nov. 1
Topic: Bodies and Sexualities
Read: ER: Christina “Are We Having Sex Now or What”
Film: Two Spirit
Thursday, Nov. 3
Topic: Gendered Sexualities
Read: FF: Tolman and FF: Messner
Week Eleven
Tuesday, Nov. 8
Topic: Racialized Sexualities
Read: FF: Hill Collins
Thursday, Nov. 10
Topic: Controlling Bodies: Women’s Reproductive Rights
Read: FF: Smith
Week Twelve
Tuesday, Nov. 15
Topic: Economics and Gender
Read: FF: Mink
Film: Inside Job
Thursday, Nov. 17
Topic: Gendered Economy
Read: FF: Chang
Week Thirteen
Nov. 21-25
-
Thanksgiving Break!!!!!!
Week Fourteen
Tuesday, Nov. 29
Topic: Gender and the Global Economy
Read: FF: Donohue and ER: Segura & Zavella “Gender in the Borderlands”
Thursday, Dec. 1
Topic: Gender and Globalization
Read: FF: Enloe
Film: Rich World, Poor Women
Week Fifteen
Tuesday, Dec. 6
Topic: Sex, Violence, and Globalization
Read: FF: Nagel
Thursday, Dec. 8
Topic: Why Gender and Women’s Studies?
Read: FF: Stewart
Final Exam
Thursday, Dec. 15
- FINAL EXAM (2:15-4:15pm)
* This class schedule is subject to change.
Student Contacts:
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