Spring 99: Feminism 0122-382-01:
MW 3:10p-4:25p, LM 269
Course Description:
The course is designed as an upper division level course which emphasizes
theoretical analyses. The aim is threefold: First, in order
for us to gain understanding of the diversity of approaches within what
is labeled as “feminism,” we examine various feminist theories and analyze
their claims and points of contention. We will also examine the broader
theoretical framework (such as “liberalism,” “existentialism,” “socialism,”
etc.) within which specific feminist concerns have emerged. Second,
we will examine specific relations between “philosophy” and “feminism.”
In this section the focus will be the analyses of feminist contributions
to the history of philosophy, ethics, and epistemology. Finally,
we conclude by contexualizing the current theoretical debates of feminism
and philosophy within a global framework; we will examine the implications
of a “postcolonial feminist” approach and discuss the relevance of feminism-at-large
in such a context.
Texts:
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Feminism and Philosophy: Essential Readings in Theory, Reinterpretation,
and Application. Nancy Tuana and Rosemarie Tong, eds. Westview.
Boulder: 1995.
-
Feminist Thought: A Comprehensive Introduction. Rosemarie
Tong. Westview. Boulder: 1989.
-
Dislocating Cultures: Identities, Traditions, and Third World Feminism.
Uma Narayan. Routledge. New York: 1997.
Course Requirements and Grading:
1. 12 Weekly summary papers. 5 points each, 60 points total.
Each week, you will take one article, from the 3 articles in the anthology
per section, and write a two-page summary. The summary papers will
have the following format: First, you will summarize the main points
the author makes. Second, you will evaluate it. In other words,
you will give your own analysis, agreement, disagreement, etc. Summary
papers must be written before we discuss the material; we will use them
in class, for discussion/presentation. In other words, they are written
one week ahead of the schedule.
2. Final essay. 20 points. (take-home, 6-7 pages)
Final essay will be an analysis/evaluation paper, either on some aspect
of the debates within feminist theories, relation between philosophy and
feminism, or postcolonial feminist critique. Possible topics will
be distributed in class toward the end of the semester.
3. Participation and Discussion. 20 points. This course
relies heavily on discussions. Each person will be responsible for
presenting an article every class.
100 points total. A: 92-100, A-: 90 and 91, B+: 89, and so on.
Course Schedule
Week 1 (Jan 25, 27): Introduction and overview: Tong 1-9
Week 2 (Feb 1, 3) Liberal Feminist Perspectives (FP Section 1; Tong
Chapter 1)
Week 3 (Feb 8, 10) Socialist Feminist Perspectives (FP Section 5; Tong
Chapter 3)
Week 4 (Feb 15, 17) Radical Feminist Perspectives (FP Section 3; Tong
Chapter 2)
Week 5 (Feb 22, 24) Psychoanalytic Feminist Perspectives (FP Section
4; Tong Chapter 4)
Week 6 (Mar 1, 3) Phenomenological and Existential Feminist Perspectives
(FP Section 7; Tong Chapter 5)
Week 7 (Mar 8, 10) Postmodern Feminist Perspectives (FP Section
8; Tong Chapter 6)
Week 8: Spring Break.
Week 9 (Mar 22, 24) Feminism and History of Philosophy (Reader)
Week 10 (Mar 29, 31) Feminism and History of Philosophy, continued.
Week 11 (Apr 5, 7) Feminist Ethics (Reader)
Week 12 (Apr 12, 14) Feminist Epistemology (Reader)
Week 13 (Apr 19, 21) Postcolonial Feminist Perspectives (Narayan):
Tong Chapter 7)
Week 14 (Apr 26, 28) Postcolonial Feminist Perspectives (Narayan)
Week 15 (May 3, 5): Review and discussion
Final is due on Tuesday, May 18, 1pm.
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