UNIVERSITY OF ALBANY STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK TUES/THURS 9:45-11:05 ROOM HU 137 -FALL 1992- WSS 220P/K PERSPECTIVES ON WOMEN Professor Luz del Alba Acevedo TA: Weiahua Zhang Off. SS 350, Tel.: 442-4894 Off. HU 385, W 2:00-3:30 Hrs: T/TH 1:45-3:30 Telephone: 442-4096 COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course focuses on two crucial issues: 1) How do scholarly disciplines study women issues and gender relations, in terms of their methodology and theoretical perspective; and 2) How do the feminist perspectives and scholarship impact traditional systems of knowledge. To examine these issues we will explore topics such as science, language, culture, sexuality, and politics from a multicultural perspective. The examination of these topics will include a wide range of voices within feminism (liberal, marxist, radical, socialist) that have provided the epistemological foundation of feminist scholarship. The discussion of these issues will provide the basis for a constructive dialogue on similar and contrasting modes of producing knowledge in Women's Studies and other academic disciplines, and show the importance and interdisciplinary nature of Women's Studies as a field of inquiry. OBJECTIVES: 1. Discuss the values underlying the different academic disciplines and the ways women and gender issues have been addressed in the construction of knowledge. 2. To identify components of feminist research within and across the disciplines in the social science and the humanities. 3. Assess the effect that feminist perspectives have on the transformation and reconstitution of the meaning of knowledge. 4. Understand the interdisciplinary and multicultural dimensions of Women's Studies. 5. To investigate the diversity of ideas within feminism and help students develop an appreciation of these differences as well as those among women. 6. Stimulate critical and creative thinking and expression. ASSIGNED READINGS: Required Rosemarie Tong, Feminist Thought A Comprehensive Introduction. Westview Press 1989. Kamarck Minnich, Elizabeth, Transforming Knowledge. Temple University Press, 1990. **Gloria Hull, Pat Bell Scott and Barbara Smith, All the Women are White, All the Blacks are Men, But Some of Us Are Brave. Feminist Press, 1982. Mohanty, Chandra Talpade, Russo, Ann, and Torres, Lourdes The Third World Women and The Politics of Feminism. Indiana University Press, 1991. Bleier, Ruth, "Science and Gender A Critique of Biology and its Theories On Women," in Sneja Gunew (ed.), A Reader in Feminist Knowledge. Routledge, 1991. Adrienne Rich, "Towards a Woman-Centered University," On Lies, Secrets, and Silences. Norton, 1979. Edna Acosta-Belen, "Defining a Common Ground: The Theoretical Meeting of Women's and Ethnic Studies," in Edna Acosta-Belen and Christine Bose, Perspectives and Resources Integrating Latin American and Carribbean Women into the Curriculum and Research. LCS/CELAC/LASA, 1990. Benmayor Rina, Torruellas Rosa and Juarbe Ana, Responses to Poverty Among Puerto Rican Women Identity, Community, and Cultural Citizenship. Centro de Estudios Puertorriquos, Hunter College, New York, 1992. Patricia Collins Hills, "The Social Construction of Black Feminist Thought." Lugones, Maria C. and Pat Alake Rosezelle, "Sisterhood and Friendship as Feminist Models," in Cheris Kramarae and Dale Spender (eds.), The Knowledge Explosion Generations of Feminist Scholarship. Athene Press, 1992. **This book is out of print but it has been reserved for your use in the library. Recommended: Hirsh, Marianne and Fox Keller, Evelyn (eds.), Conflict in Feminism. Routledge, New York, 1990. Jaggar, Alison and Rothenberg, Paula (eds.), Feminist Frameworks. McGraw-Hill, Inc. New York, 1984. Nancy Caraway, Segregated Sisterhood Racism and the Politics of American Feminism. The University of Tennessee Press, 1991. Jean O'Barr and Mary Wyer, Engaging Feminism Students Speak Out. University Press of Virginia, 1992. REQUIREMENTS: Your course grade will be based on the following: 1. Class Attendance and Participation (20 pts.) It is essential that you attend class on a regular basis. The final grade will be lowered for missing more than two classes. You are expected to: a) read and take notes on the assigned readings and lectures according to the course schedule; and b) contribute your thoughts, questions, and responses in class during the discussion periods and after lectures. Please note that according to University policy "instructors may de-register students who fail to attend class, explain absence, or officially drop within the first seven calendar days of a term." 2. Midterm Examination (25 pts.) This exam will assess your comprehension of the readings, lectures, and class discussions. It will consist of short essay questions. 3. Analytical Paper (25 pts.) Choose an introductory or intermediate-level course in one academic discipline (other than Women's Studies) which you have taken, and analyze it using a feminist perspective. The analysis must include a critical assessment of the course topics, readings, values, format, class dynamics, and teacher/student relationship. The paper length is of five doubled space pages. 4. Final 'TAKE HOME' Exam (30 pts.) The specification for the midterm apply here. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: WRITING INTENSIVE SECTION (WSS 220k)* A-Journal Report (15 pts.) Select one disciplinary or interdisciplinary journal that focus on women and gender issues or publish articles on women or gender. Prepare a written summary of four to six double spaced typed pages describing: 1) place and length of publication, issues/year, and other relevant details of this sort; 2) disciplinary or interdisciplinary focus, thematic focus, and ideological stance; 3) shifts over time in the kinds of articles carried; and 4) other insights such as review essays on literature concerning women, women's issues, and/or gender relations. Review only the last five years. B-Paper on "Educational Experience" (15 pts.) Drawing from the readings of the course, and your personal experience, answer the following questions: a) compare the elements discussed in Adrienne Rich article relating it with your educational experience; what opportunities and privileges have you had or lacked in relation to education? *Point distribution for students registered in writing intensive section: Class attendance and Participation 15 points Midterm 15 points Analytical Paper 20 points Final Exam 20 points Journal Report 15 points Additional Paper 15 points GRADING POLICY: 1. The first draft of your paper will be revised to help you strengthen the content and format of it. You will receive feedback to improve your paper. The final grade of the paper will be based on the revised second draft and will be evaluated according to the following criteria: 1) clarity; 2) logic of development; and 3) support of assertions. 2. Late papers will lose three points each week handed in late. 3. No make up will be scheduled if you miss the exams. COURSE FORMAT: We will often have a guest lecturer who will discuss with us the impact and challenges that feminist perspectives and research has raised on their area of expertise. Discussions of these lectures and assigned readings will follow each presentation. The class will be divided in small groups and ask to discuss specific questions from the assigned readings, integrate the lectures with the readings and construct new puzzles for further dialogue. Each individual is responsible for making the readings and for an active involvement in your own academic development! COURSE SCHEDULE: *This schedule is subject to change. Please check with the teaching assistant to keep up with the sequence of assigned readings. TH. SEPT. 3: INTRODUCTION: COURSE GOALS AND REQUIREMENTS TU. SEPT. 8: MEN'S AND WOMEN'S PERSPECTIVES ON WOMEN Reading Assignment: Elizabeth Kamarck Minnich, Transforming Knowledge, Preface, Chapters 1 and 2 TH. SEPT. 10: CONCEPTUALIZING KNOWLEDGE Reading Assignment: Transforming Knowledge, Chapter 3. TU. SEPT. 15: DISCUSSION TH. SEPT. 17: PRODUCTION OF KNOWLEDGE AND THE NATURAL SCIENCE Readings Assignment: Ruth Bleir, "Science and Gender A Critique to Biology and Its Theories on Women" Elizabeth Kamarck Minnich, Transforming Knowledge, Chapter 4. TU. SEPT. 22: INTERLUDE TH. SEPT. 24: THE VARIETIES OF FEMINIST THINKING Reading Assignment: Rosemarie Tong, Feminist Thought, Introduction and Chapter 1. TU. SEPT. 29: THE VARIETIES OF FEMINIST THINKING Reading Assignment: Rosemarie Tong, Feminist Thought, Chapters 2 and 6. TH. OCT. 1: DISCUSSION *Due date for journal report for Writing Intensive students TU. OCT. 6: INTERLUDE TH. OCT. 8: SEXUALITY AND FEMINISM: REPRODUCTION Reading Assignment: Rosemarie Tong, Feminist Thought, Chapter 3 and 4. Carmen Barroso and Cristina Bruschini, "Building Politics from Personal Lives: Discussions on Sexuality Among Poor Women in Brazil," in Third World Women and the Politics of Feminism, pp. 153-172. TU. OCT. 13: INTERLUDE TH. OCT. 15: DISCUSSION TU. OCT. 20: MIDTERM EXAM TH. OCT. 22: SUBJECTIVITY AND PSYCHOANLYSIS Reading Assignment: Rosemarie Tong, Feminist Thought, Chapter 5. TU. OCT. 27: INTERLUDE TH. OCT. 29: LANGUAGE AND POSTMODERNISM Reading Assignment: Rosemarie Tong, Feminist Thought, Chapter 8. TU. NOV. 3: INTERLUDE TH. NOV. 5: CONFERENCE: "Rediscovering the Americas: Women in the Building of the New World" -Campus Center Assembly Hall 9:00AM -4:00 PM. TU NOV. 10: GENDER, CULTURE, AND IDENTITY Reading Assignment: Rina Benmayor, Rosa Torruellas, and Ana Juarbe, Responses to Poverty Among Puerto Rican Women Identity, Community, and Cultural Citizenship. TH. NOV. 12: GENDER, RACE, AND IDENTITY Reading Assignment: Combahee River Collective, "A Black Feminist Statement," All Women are White, All the Blacks are Men, But Some of Us Are Brave. Barbara Smith, "Toward a Black Feminist Criticism," in All Women are White, All the Blacks are Men, But Some of Us Are Brave. TU. NOV. 17: INTERLUDE *Due date for analytical paper. TH. NOV. 19: FEMINIST KNOWLEDGE AND WOMEN'S STUDIES Reading Assignments: Adrienne Rich, "Toward a Woman Centered University" Patricia Hill Collins, "The Social Construction of Black Feminist Thought" Edna Acosta-Beln, "Defining a Common Ground: The Theoretical Meeting of Women's and Ethnic Studies" Barbara Smith, "Racism and Women's Studies," All Women are White, All the Blacks are Men, But Some of Us Are Brave TU. NOV. 24: DISCUSSION: UNDERSTANDING DIVERSITY *Additional paper for writing intensive students (WSS 220K) due date. TH. NOV. 26: THANKSGIVING! TU. DEC. 1: FEMINISM, POLITICS, AND POWER Reading Assignment: Chandra Talpade Mohanty, "Under Western Eyes: Feminist Scholarship and Colonial Discourses" in Third World Women and the Politics of Feminism, pp. 51-80. Cheryl Johnson-Odim, "Common Themes, Different Contexts: Third World Women and Feminism," in Third World Women and the Politics of Feminism, pp. 314-327. Gloria T. Hull and Barabara Smith, "Introduction: The Politics of Black Women's Studies," in All Women are White, All the Blacks are Men, But Some of Us Are Brave. TU. DEC. 3: WOMEN'S STUDIES AND THE THEORIZATION OF DIFFERENCE Reading Assignment: Marianne Hirsch and Evelyn Fox Keller, Conflicts in Feminism, Introduction and Conclusion. Ann Russo, "We Cannot Live Without Our Lives": White Women, Antiracism, and Feminism," in Third World Women and the Politics of Feminism, pp. 297-313. TH. DEC. 8: DISCUSSION TU. DEC. 10: * TALKING FRIENDSHIP...FEMINIST SOLIDARITY! Reading Assignment: Michelle Wallace, "A Black Feminist's Search For Sisterhood," All Women are White, All the Blacks are Men, But Some of Us Are Brave. Maria Lugones and Pat Alake Rosezelle, "Sisterhood and Friendship as Feminist Models" in The Knowledge Explosion Generations of Feminist Scholarship. * DUE DATE FOR TAKE HOME FINAL EXAM -- --------------------------------------- * Susan Fitzgerald * * SFITZ@albnyvms.bitnet * * SFITZ@csc.albany.edu * * * *!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!*