University at Albany
		      State University of New York
			       Fall 1992
		      

		      CLASSISM, RACISM, and SEXISM

A AAS 240P  5889
A LCS 240P  5905
A WSS 240P  3738


Susan Russell and Celia Gonzalez, Women's Studies Department
Office Hours:  8:45-9:45 p.m. in Humanities 117 (by appointment)


			 Description and Goals:

This course analyzes connections among classism, racism, sexism,
heterosexism and homophobia, their mutually reinforcing nature, and the
tensions arising therefrom.  Attention is given to the ideological and
personal aspects of these phenomenas, as well as to their institutional
manifestations in American society.

Students are expected to broaden their understanding of group oppression
and identity from many different perspectives.


		     Required Texts and Pamphlets:

Albelda, Randy, et al, Mink Coats Don't Trickle Down: The Economic
Attack on Women & People of Color. Boston: South End Press, 1988.

Anderson, Margaret L. and Patricia Hill Collins, Race, Class and Gender: 
An Anthology, Belmont, California: Wadsworth Publishing Company, 1992.

Davis, Angela, Women, Race and Class. New York, Vintage Books, 1983.

Davis, Susan, Women Under Attack: Victories, Backlash and the Fight for 
Reproductive Freedom. Boston: South End Press, 1988.


			    Course Outline:

Readings with an (R) designation are on reserve at the Library

9/8      Introduction        
         Discussion of syllabus, course requirements and course goals
         LIFE STORY DUE


9/15     Shifting the Center
         Anderson, pp.1-46.
         (R)Graham, Lawrence Otis, "Invisible Man," New York Magazine,
            August 17, 1992, pp.26-34.


9/22     Bias Incidents
         (R)Rothenberg, Paula S., Race, Class & Gender in the United
            States: An Integrated Study. New York: St. Martin's Press,
            1992, pp.63-90.
         Film: "Beyond Hate"


10/13     Race and Racism
          Anderson, pp.47-95, 397-412,429-442
          Davis, A., Chapter 4
          Guest Speaker

10/20     Class and Inequity
          Albelda, entire pamphlet          
          Anderson, pp.96-127
          Davis, A., Chapter 3
          (R)Rothenberg, pp.358-363

10/27     Gender and Sexism
          Anderson, pp. 128-171, 413-428, 443-449
          (R)Rothenberg, pp.351-357, 374-387, 431-440

JOURNAL 1 DUE

11/3      Work and Families
          Anderson, 172-266
          Davis, A., Chapters 9 and 13

11/10     Identity and Ideology
          Anderson, pp. 267-358

11/17     Education:
          Anderson, pp. 359-396
          Davis, A., Chapter 6

11/24     Reproduction and Choice
          Davis, S., entire pamphlet
          Film: "La Operacion"

12/1      History of Social Change
          Davis, A., Chapters 2, 5 and 7

12/8      Revisioning the Future
          Anderson, pp. 495-518
          (R)Rothenberg, pp. 408-413, 448-449
          Film: "Facing Evil"


JOURNAL II DUE			  

			  Course Requirements

1.  Life Story: Ungraded assignment.  A short essay to be written the
first day of class in 15 minutes.  Summarize the significant events in
your life, such as what has made you who you are today.  In particular,
focus in events related to your racial/ethnic background, your class or
socio-economic background, and your gender and/or sexual orientation.
Due 9/8

2.  Journals: Journals reflect your reaction to materials from this
class: readings, films, panel discussions, speakers, class discussion,
and discussion groups.  Journals also chart your journey through this
class, the questions which occur to you.  Journals must be typed, double
spaced, 10 pages in length.  Each journal will discuss 5 items from the
materials list above (2 pages per item). Each item must be identified
by date assigned/discussed/seen, author and title.  Each journal will
count for 45% of final grade.

      Journal I:    Due 10/27
      Covers course work from 9/8 through 10/27.  One item must be from
      class discussion.  One item must be from "Bias Incidents" 9/22.  No more
      than one item may be used from any one class.

      Journal II:    Due 12/8
      Covers course work from 11/3 through 12/8.  One item must be from
      class discussion.  One item must be from "Identity and Ideology" 11/10.
      No more than one item may be used from any one class.

      Total of 90% of grade

3.  Class attendance: Class attendance will count for 10% of final
grade.  Roll will be checked twice during each class period: at 5:45
p.m. and at some point after the evening break.  If you are not in your
assigned seat when roll is checked, you will be marked absent.  That
absence will be removed only with a doctor's excuse.  If you are unable
to get to this class on time, you should register for something else.

4.  Class participation: Persons who regularly participate in class
discussions will have their grade increased one fraction of a letter
grade.  Please wear your name tag so that we will know who you are.

5.  Eating in class: There will be NO EATING in the classsroom.  Sodas
will be permitted as long as the room is left clean at the end of class.