WS101: Introducttion to Women's STudies
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WS101: Introduction
to Women's Studies Last Updated: 02/12/02
Notice: Tuesday, February 20th, will follow a Monday class schedule. The syllabus will be updated to reflect this change. TEXTS: Agatucci
and Donohue/WS101 Course Packet (available
for purchase in the Bookstore) Readings
related to guest lecturers’ presentations will be placed on reserve (in
the library and online via e-reserve) throughout the term. COURSE DESCRIPTION: WS
101 will introduce some varieties of U.S./Western feminism, and some of
their key theories, concepts, perspectives and goals. To “contextualize” feminisms, we will trace their
historical development in political/social activism known today as the
Women’s Movement, some of the women and men who created the movement(s),
and investigate feminisms’ roles in establishing Women’s Studies
programs and courses. Learning
Outcomes: WS 101 M/W Introduction
to selected topics in women’s and gender studies, drawn from varied
historical and multicultural contexts and approached from
multi-disciplinary perspectives, will enable WS 101 students to: 1.
Identify the general principles e.g., key concepts, critical
perspectives, core goals--that broadly characterize Western academic
studies of women and gender in a wide spectrum of disciplines and
professional fields. 2.
Trace the historical-intellectual roots of contemporary women’s
and gender studies in Western feminist thought and relevant
socio-political movements. 3.
Define common tenets of Western feminist theory, as well as two or
more key differences that distinguish different schools of feminist
thought. 4.
Examine the effects of “gender” and “sex” as factors that
can shape human differences and similarities e.g., in cultural
experiences, perspectives, power, choices. 5.
Comparatively analyze the types of questions or problems posed,
methods of inquiry used, and knowledge produced by examples of women’s
and gender scholarship in three different academic disciplines and/or
professional fields. 6.
Evaluate the impact of women and gender studies on knowledge and/or
methods in selected academic disciplines and professional fields. 7.
Formulate responses and interpretations using varied strategies and
resources (e.g., active listening and critical reading skills, oral
discussion, self-reflection, informal writing-to-learn, comparative
analysis, interdisciplinary synthesis). 8.
Communicate one’s interpretations and evaluations in writing, and
support one’s points clearly and cogently using core concepts, specific
examples, and appropriate methods of analysis drawn from interdisciplinary
studies of women and gender. 9.
Extend and apply one’s understanding of women’s and gender
studies through further inquiry and focused research e.g., on a relevant
topic of personal/professional interest, an unanswered question, and/or a
controversial claim subject to alternative interpretations. In
order to meet these goals, students are expected to attend class,
contribute to class discussions, and keep up with the reading and writing
assignments. Assignments and Grading
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