Syllabus

WGST 200.03: Introduction to Women’s and Gender Studies

 

Wednesdays, 4:00-6:45, 108 Maybank Hall

Spring 2014

 

Professor Amy Hudock                                                                    

amy.hudock@tridenttech.edu         

hudocka@cofc.edu                                                                            

Office:  WGS, 7 College Way

Phone: 899-8077

Office hours: W 3:00-4:00, 6:45-7:45                             

Website:  wgs.cofc.edu

Class blog:  womenandgenderintro.blogspot.com

 

 

Required text:   Women’s Voices, Feminist Visions, eds. Shaw and Lee

 

Course Description:  This is an interdisciplinary course designed to explore the rich body of knowledge developed by and about women and gender. We study gendered structures and their consequences in contemporary cultures and societies. In addition, we examine feminist theories and relevant social movements. This course can satisfy the College’s general education humanities requirement.

 

General Education Student Learning outcomes for Humanities:

1. Students analyze how ideas are represented, interpreted, or valued in various expressions of human culture.

2. Students examine relevant primary source materials as understood by the discipline and interpret the material in writing assignments.

These outcomes will be assessed in the Activism Analysis essay.

 

WGST Student Learning outcomes:

1. Students demonstrate critical thinking skills about the role of gender in contemporary cultures and societies.

2. Students assess social advocacy of gendered structures and their consequences in contemporary cultures and societies.

These outcomes will be assessed in the Activism Analysis essay.

                               

Reading and Analysis Assignments:  I will ask you to do view a cultural artifact like an ad or film or art piece or do a research activity.  Then I will ask you to analyze and apply the readings. Then, you will write it up.  Your analysis should be at least 400 typed words (posted to the class blog and printed out for class).  These analysis assignments will not be graded individually, but your conscientious fulfillment of this assignment is worth 10% of your overall grade.  These responses might address something in the reading that’s gotten under your skin or made you uncomfortable.  Others might discuss an idea that’s really surprised or excited you or ways in which you’ve carried concepts from the reading out into your daily life.  I will ask people to share their responses with the class, and I will take them up periodically throughout the semester.  These responses will not be graded individually, but your conscientious fulfillment of this assignment is worth 10% of your overall grade.

 

Cultural Artifact Essay: 

You will pick one cultural artifact for analysis.  Guidelines posted on the website. 

 

Activism Analysis essay

You will design and carry out an activist project that brings issues we’re discussing this semester to the larger campus/community by addressing a problem we’ve examined. A part of this project includes an essay that synthesizes our discussions. This Activism Analysis essay must:

o    Identify the problem and situation that your project addresses

o    Apply ideas examined in class

o    Analyze the project in terms of feminist arguments about power and oppression

o    Assess the project as a form of social advocacy.

o    At least 3 sources required. Sign up for your topic online.  No two people can do the same topic.   Come up with your own slant.

o    Essay should be 750-1000 words. 

o    Further guidelines posted on the website. 

 

Class participation:  This class will require active and sustained class participation.  If  you aren’t ready to speak, listen, disagree, and argue when you come to class on any given day, then you aren’t prepared for class.  The Women’s and Gender Studies classroom is a place that demands open, honest discussion; we will be covering material which may challenge your beliefs and values.  Because this can be a difficult process, I expect that you will often argue with me and with each other.  Disagreement is expected, encouraged, and necessary for growth; however, abusive and insulting language has no place in this class.  While you may not agree with everything said, you owe it to each other to listen carefully and respectfully to other people’s views.  Remember that you are never being graded on your views or your politics, only on the degree to which you have engaged with the readings and the discussions.

 

Accessibility:  If you have a disability and anticipate needing accommodations in this course, please meet with me soon.  The Center for Disability Services and I will work with you to make this course fully accessible.

 

Outside events:  Because this class is part of a learning community, several outside events are required parts of the class.  You must attend two of the events listed on the calendar attached to this syllabus. Write up a response to the event. 

 

Examinations:  This class will have a midterm and a final exam which will cover your reading assignments and in-class discussions. 

 

Activism unit:  We will spend a good deal of time this semester exploring some of the challenges our society still faces in its struggle to establish equal opportunities for all people.  All this talk of problems can be dispiriting, which is why I created this activism unit.  In whatever size group you choose (you can do this alone or with one or ten other people from our class), you need to design and carry out some sort of activist project to bring the issues we’re discussing this semester to the larger campus community and/or to address some of the problems we’ve examined.  I will provide a handout with more information. 

 

Attendance:  Because this class is a group learning experience, your contributions each class meeting will be essential.  For that reason, I expect you to attend regularly—which includes showing up on time and remaining until class is over.  I’ll allow you one unexcused absences (equal to one week of classes)—no questions asked.  Your class participation grade will suffer for any unexcused absences beyond the one allotted.  You’re responsible for all the work we do on the day you’re absent.

 

Grades:  

Participation and attendance:  10%                                               

Midterm:  15%

Group Activism Project and Presentation 20%                                                       

Final:  15%

Reading and Analysis Assignments:  10%

Formal Artifact Analysis Essay 15%            

Formal Activism Essay 15%

 

 

This syllabus and schedule may change.  Check online for updates.