Women and Society: an Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies

WMST 2100.001 Women and Society: An Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies Tuesday & Thursday 9:30 AM to 10:50 AM ENV 115

It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences.

-Audre Lorde

The first problem for all of us, men and women, is not to learn, but to unlearn.

-Gloria Steinem

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.

-Margaret Mead

Instructor: Kristin Alder Email: [email protected] Office: GAB 462 Office Hours: Tuesday 11 AM to 12 PM or by appointment Description: This course is an introduction to thinking about the construction of gender and the ways in which sex, gender, race, class, and sexuality merge and manifest themselves in social, cultural, and political contexts. We will also examine the way these "borders" intersect with systems of privilege and systems of oppression to create the context of women's experiences. Hence, perspectives of a diverse group of writers, researchers, and activists will be presented. Topics for study include gender and socialization, women's health, body image, women and family, violence against women, women and the workplace, and visions for social change. The broad range and diversity of material covered is intended to strengthen your skills of critical observation, thinking, and analysis. Course Goals: This course will focus on the following goals: 1. To describe the broad diversity of women's experiences.

1 2. To explore the concept of "gender" as a social construction 3. To introduce philosophical frameworks for a variety of feminist scholarship 4. To provide opportunities for students to develop skills in critical thinking, observation, analysis, communication, and self-awareness Course Requirements: Text: Women's Voices, Feminist Visions, 5th ed., by Susan Shaw and Janet Lee (New York: Mc- Graw-Hill, 2012). Additional items will be assigned and made available to students on Blackboard. Classroom Policies

Regular and punctual attendance is required for all Women's Studies courses. Five absences will result in a failing grade (F) for the course. Excused absences will be given for university-authorized activities only. University policy requires that you provide your instructor with an official notification card issued by the university to explain your absence and to submit any makeup work while you were involved in university-authorized activities. All other absences will be considered unexcused. (For example, illness (even with a doctor's note,) is not excused. A death in the family is not excused.) Use your four "free" absences judiciously.

All students with two or fewer absences at the end of the semester will be given 10 bonus points. In addition, attendance may play a role in decisions about final grades should they be borderline.

If you are absent, please do not contact me to see what you missed. I advise each of you to find within the first two weeks of class at least one study partner you trust who can gather handouts and/or take notes for you. In addition to this you should know that all class materials will be posted to Blackboard in a folder entitled, “Class Materials.”

Punctuality is extremely important. Please be on time. Habitual tardiness or leaving class early may result in the accrual of absences. If you do arrive late or leave early, please be respectful of your classmates. Sleeping during class will accrue you an absence for the day.

The use of all electronic devices, including personal computers, is not allowed in this classroom. I know laptop computers facilitate note-taking, but they also impede discussion and can be distracting as well. Turn your cell phones off when you come in the classroom and put them away where they cannot be seen by me or you. (This does not mean your lap.) People using them in class will be dismissed and counted absent.

Please refrain from packing up until class has ended. It is distracting to students and instructors.

Please receive permission from me before bringing any visitors to class.

2 Class meetings will include a mixture of lectures, films, discussions, and other activities. Stu- dents are expected to read assignments prior to the class period, to listen to class presentations, and to participate meaningfully in discussions. We will be discussing very controversial and personal subjects and it is highly likely that your own system of beliefs will be challenged from time to time. You are under no obligation to agree with authors, other students, or the instructor. Rather, your obligation is to be respectful and to demonstrate comprehension and thoughtful con- sideration of perspectives you may not share. Critical thinking, a willingness to explore ideas, and respect for others are essential. Also, expressing one's thoughts, ideas and opinions can be intimidating. As I've mentioned above, the topics themselves may at times make it hard for all of us to join discussions. One of my goals as your instructor is to create an environment where we can all not only meet our po- tential as communicators, but improve our abilities as well. Because of this, class participation is VERY important for the success of the class as a whole. Remember that what is important is not the quantity of your participation but the quality. Please ensure that all remarks thoughtfully en- gage the material. Private conversations in class will not be tolerated. Food and beverages are allowed in the classroom as long as they do not become the focus of your attention or distract those around you. Please dispose of your trash properly.

Email: This is my preferred method of communication. Please do not email me via Blackboard. Utilize the address posted on the first page of the syllabus. When sending me an email, please place your course number, name and reason for emailing in the subject head. For example: WMST 2100.001 Taylor Smith. Question about Reading on Intersectionality. All emails not addressed in this way will be assumed to be junk mail and deleted. During the week, I will respond to your emails within 24 hours. Between the hours of Friday 6 PM and Monday 6 AM please give me up to 48 hours to respond to your emails. Please keep that in mind when emailing me. If, however, an emergency arises, please feel free to email me at any time. I will recognize the importance and respond as soon as I can. Policy on Recording Class Sessions: Any recording of class sessions may only be done with the permission of the instructor and other members of the class. If permission is granted, all recording is for individual student use only and may not be distributed in any form or manner.

Grades: Total points available in the course: 400

3 A = 90 - 100% = 400 - 358 B = 80 - 89% = 357 - 318 C = 70 - 79% = 317 - 278 D = 60 - 69% = 277 - 238 F = 59% and below = 237 and below

All assignments should be typed in 12 point font, double-spaced, with 1" margins, and using MLA-style bibliographic notation. A list of “Good Writing Guidelines” as well as directives on MLA are posted on Blackboard for your use. I will not accept handwritten work. All assignments are to handed in during class time when called for unless otherwise noted on the syllabus.

Quizzes: 100 points There will be six unannounced quizzes worth 20 points each. Each ten to fifteen minute quiz will consist of questions primarily in the multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, and/or true/false format. The quizzes will cover all material from readings, films, and lectures. The lowest quiz grade will be dropped. No makeup quizzes will be given without an official excuse from the University.

Situate Yourself Free Write: 50 points Thursday, September 18

On Thursday, September 11, we will do an in-class exercise entitled, “Understanding Privilege.” When the in-class exercise is complete, you will be assigned writing prompts which will aid you in writing a 2 to 3-page free write about your reactions to the in-class exercise. A rubric and detailed instructions will be discussed in class and posted on Blackboard.

Midterm Essay: 100 points Tuesday, October 21

4 You will write a personal reflection essay this semester over one of two topics to be provided. (Topics to be provided later.) While I expect the essay to be personal, it should also be well written and include cited examples from class discussion and readings. A rubric and detailed instructions will be discussed in class and posted to Blackboard. Community Action Project: 150 points In groups of 5 to 8, you will research, plan & implement a Community Action Project. This project is your opportunity to identify an important feminist-oriented issue on campus and work in a group on activist solutions to this project. Your grade will be made up of the following elements: 15 points - Individual Proposal Due: Tues., Sept. 30. 25 points - Group Proposal Due: Tues., Oct 14 10 points - Group In class Check-ins Due: Tues., Nov. 4 & Thur., Nov. 20 50 points - Group Portfolio Due: Thur., Dec. 4 35 points- Group Presentation Due: Thur., Dec. 11 15 points - Project Evaluation (Individual) Due: Thur., Dec. 11 On Thursday, October 2 we will have a Community Action Project (CAP) workshop. During this class we will discuss the project in detail, brainstorm ideas, and pick groups and projects. You will spend the rest of the semester working in groups to complete the project. It is expected that the majority of your group work will be conducted outside of class though I will occasionally provide opportunities to plan and check in with each other. Please note that I realize group work can sometimes be difficult. I have tried to put together a process that enables you to create democratic-based strategies for a successful process and out- come. Although it is a group project, individual grades will be assigned based on each individual member’s quality of work. Further, part of your grade will be assigned through a peer review process.

Late Work: All assigned work is due in class in accordance with the class schedule; late work will be heavily penalized. An assignment submitted within 24 hours after its due date/class will receive a 25% deduction. An assignment submitted within 48 hours after its due date/class will receive a 50%

5 deduction. An assignment submitted within 72 hours after its due date/class will receive a 75% deduction. Assignments submitted after that will not be accepted and will receive a zero. Example: If the assignment is due in class on Monday, then any work turned in Monday 1:21 PM to Tuesday 1:20 PM will be deducted 25%. If your assignment is turned in between Tuesday 1:21 PM and Wednesday 1:20 PM, it will be deducted by 50%. If turned in between Wednesday 1:21 PM and Thursday 1:20 PM, your assignment will be deducted by 75%. From 1:21 PM Thursday forward, your work will not be accepted and you will receive a zero for the assignment.

Likewise, if due Wednesday in class: then any work turned in Wednesday 1:21 PM to Thursday 1:20 PM will be deducted 25%. If your assignment is turned in between Thursday 1:21 PM and Friday 1:20 PM, it will be deducted by 50%. If turned in between Friday 1:21 PM and Saturday 1:20 PM, your assignment will be deducted by 75%. From 1:21 PM Saturday forward, your work will not be accepted and you will receive a zero for the assignment.

Late work will only be eligible for full credit if accompanied by a university approved absence excuse.

I understand that life can get complicated. If you fail to turn in an assignment or turn in an assignment late, please refer to my extensive list of extra credit assignments to make up your points. No emails of your work will be accepted without pre-approval. If you get into a bind, assignments can be placed in either of our mailboxes located in the Women’s Studies Department office or handed to me personally during office hours. DO NOT slide work under my office door. If, however, you run into difficulty during the semester, please contact me ASAP. I understand that things can get very complicated rather quickly. I am here to help you succeed in your en- deavors at UNT. Extra Credit: Extra credit points will be offered at my discretion throughout the semester. All extra credit will be offered to the class as a whole. A list of preliminary opportunities will be provided on Blackboard by the second week of class. The list will be added to throughout the semester. Additions will be announced in class and posted on Blackboard. It will be up to you personally to keep up with due dates.

University Policies: Academic Dishonesty (http://www.vpaa.unt.edu/academic-integrity.htm): The University takes plagiarism and cheating very seriously. Plagiarized work will earn a zero for the assignment. Students will face action according to University guidelines for academic dishonesty. I reserve the right to submit any paper I suspect of plagiarism to Turnitit.com. Academic Ethics: (http:www.unt.edu/csrr): Acts of academic dishonesty are subject to discipline at UNT. Cheating, plagiarism, and furnishing false or misleading information are acts of aca-

6 demic dishonesty. The definitions of these terms are clearly described in the Undergraduate Cat- alog (www.unt.edu/catalog) and by the Center for Students Rights and Responsibilities. Authorized Class Absence (http://www.unt.edu/vpaa_fy0708_fhb/III-a.html): All travel by students off campus for the purpose of participation in UNT sponsored activities must be authorized by the dean of the school or college of the sponsoring department. Within three days after the absence, students must obtain authorized absence cards from the dean of students for instructors. Absence for Religious Holidays (http://www.unt.edu/vpaa_fy0708_fhb/III-a.html): A student absent due to the observance of a religious holiday may take examinations/ complete assignments scheduled for the day(s) missed within a reasonable time after the absence. Class participants should notify the instructor via email of planned absences for religious holidays. Disability Support Services (http://www.unt.edu/oda): ODA Office in Sage Hall, Suite 167 University ODA Statement: “The University of North Texas makes reasonable academic accommodation for students with disabilities. Students seeking accommodation must first register with the Office of Disability Accommodation (ODA) to verify their eligibility. If a disability is verified, the ODA will provide you with an accommodation letter to be delivered to faculty to begin a private discussion regarding your specific needs in a course. You may request accommodations at any time, however, ODA notices of accommodation should be provided as early as possible in the semester to avoid any delay in implementation. Note that students must obtain a new letter of accommodation for every semester and must meet with each faculty member prior to implementation in each class. For additional information see the Office of Disability Accommodation website at http://www.unt.edu/oda. You may also contact them by phone at 940.565.4323.” Drop Information: All information regarding deadlines for dropping or withdrawing this course can be found at: http://registrar.unt.edu/registration/dropping-class Syllabus Information: This syllabus is tentative and subject to change at any point during the semester. If there are any policy changes (i.e. grading, attendance) during the semester, a new/ re- vised syllabus will be issued and given to all students. A copy of this syllabus will be on file in the department office (GAB 467). However, if you lose your personal copy, please refer to the copy on Blackboard.

Writing Lab: If you have any problems with your writing, please come see me for help or use our University Writing Lab (http://www.unt.edu/writinglab/). You will be offered 10 bonus points on any writing assignment for this class (Situate Yourself Free Write, Midterm, or Group Project Portfolio) for which you access the the Writing Lab as a resource. To receive the bonus points, please turn in three things when the assignment is due: 1) your final assignment, 2) your original work taken to the Writing Lab, and 3) written proof from your tutor at the Writing Lab that you used the resource. Note: The Writing Lab only works if you give yourself adequate time to write, schedule, and rewrite. Plan accordingly.

Interested in a Women's Studies Minor? Come to the Women's Studies office in the General Academic Building, Office 467, for more information or give us a call at 940-565-2098. For further information, go to www.wmst.unt.edu.

7 Last Words: I strongly encourage you to talk to me outside of class if you are having problems with this course, or if you have any additional questions. I consider myself an agent here to help you think and learn, and expect you to take an active role in this process as well. I can’t help you if I don’t know you need help.

A Note about Reading Critically for this Class:

(*Credit for this section of the syllabus goes to Dr. Jo-Ann Stankus)

In preparation for class and your papers, you should take notes on your reading and endeavor to answer the following questions:

1. What do you know about the author and his/her perspective? What can you infer about the author and his/her assumptions? 2. What is the author's major purpose and thesis? 3. How does the author support or defend his/her thesis? What arguments, examples, or illustrations does he/she use? 4. From your perspective, what is the author's strongest argument? Why? 5. From your perspective, what is the author's weakest argument? Why? 6. Identify a passage that was particularly thought-provoking or insightful to you. Explain your response to the passage. 7. Identify a passage that was particularly troubling or objectionable to you. Explain your response to the passage.

Class Schedule:

This schedule is tentative. As the instructor, I reserve the right to modify the reading or assignments. All changes will be announced in class and via Blackboard. Students are responsible for reading all assigned material before class and should come prepared to discuss, question, and build on the assigned material. WVFV denotes readings in the textbook, Women's Voices and Feminist Visions BB denotes readings to be found on UNT's Blackboard

Date/Class Topic Assignments Due Readings Due

8 Tuesday, August 26

Introductions, Syllabus Overview, and Course Expectations Thursday, August 28 WVFV Women's Studies: Perspectives and Prac- tices pp.1-10,19-22 Women's Studies, Wom- WVFV: Claiming an Education pp. 23-25 en's Movements and the BB: The Cult of Domesticity & True Woman- links to Feminism hood BB: Sojourner Truth - Ain't I a Woman In class activity: What is BB: The Declaration of Sentiments plagiarism Tuesday, September 2 Plagiarism agreement WVFV: Women's Studies: Perspectives and Prac- tices pp. 10-18, 22 Defining WVFV: A Day Without Feminism pp. 30-33 Feminisms/Womanisms BB: “Womanism: What is it? from The Woman- ist Reader BB: 10 Things Feminism Can Do Better BB: Can Men Really Be Feminists? Thursday, September 4 WVFV: There Is No Hierarchy of Oppression p. 70 Feminism/Womanisms: BB: The Bridge Poem “The Danger of a Single BB To Live in the Borderlands Means You Story” BB: Women of All Red Nations (WARN) BB: The Combahee River Collective, A Black Feminist Statement BB: Chicana Feminism BB: Asian Pacific American Women and Femi- nisms Tuesday, September 9 WVFV: Systems of Privilege and Inequality pp. 42-59 Systems of Privilege and WVFV: Toward a New Vision pp.60-67 Oppression WVFV: Oppression pp.67-69 Thursday, September 11 WVFV: White Privilege, Male Privilege pp. 75- 81 Systems of Privilege and WVFV: Homophobia pp.71-74 Oppression, cont.- WVFV: What's Race Gotta Do with It? Pp. 82-86 WVFV: Opening Pandora's Box pp. 86-90 WVFV: The Social Construction of Disability In class activity: Under- pp. 91-99 standing Privilege BB: Let’s Talk about Thin Privilege Tuesday, September 16 WVFV: Learning Gender pp. 105-120 WVFV: The Five Sexes, Revisited pp. 121-125 Learning and Construct- WVFV: The Social Construction of Gender pp. ing Genders 126-128

9 Thursday, September 18 Situate Yourself Free WVFV: When I Was Growing Up pp. 144-145 Write WVFV: Through the Lens of Race pp. 145-155 Learning and Construct- WVFV: (Rethinking) Gender pp.158-162 ing Genders, cont.- WVFV: Trans Identities and Contingent Mas- culinities pp. 135-140

Tuesday, September 23 BB: Boyhood is a Battlefield: The Danger- ous Expectations of Early Masculinity BB: Why We Need to Reimagine Masculini- Learning and Construct- ty ing Gender: BB: Watch TED Talk, “How Movies Teach Man- Masculinities hood” with Colin Stokes Film: Tough Guise 2 Thursday, September 25 WVFV: Sex, Power and Intimacy pp. 163-180 WVFV: The Cult of Virginity pp. 181-185 Sex, Power, and Women's BB: Sex on Campus: She Can Play That Game, Double-Bind Too BB: There’s no Such Thing as a Slut Tuesday, September 30 Individual proposal to WVFV: What is Bisexuality? pp. 189-194 be posted to Black- WVFV: A World of Difference pp. 195-200 Sex, Power & Intimacy” board by 11 PM. Post WVFV: Dismantling Hierarchy, Queering Soci- ‘Queering’ our Construc- on Discussion Board, ety pp. 205-207 tions “Individual Proposals” WVFV: Queering Black Female Heterosexuality pp. 207-212 BB: The Heterosexual Questionnaire BB: The Cult of Heteronormativity Thursday, October 2 BB: Review all Individual CAP Proposals on Blackboard Community Action BB: Excerpt from Learning Through Serving Project Workshop

Tuesday, October 7 WVFV: Inscribing Gender on the Body pp. 213- 229 The Embodiment of Gen- WVFV: Breast Buds and the "Training" Bra pp. der 234-238 WVFV: If Men Could Menstruate pp. 238-23

Thursday, October 9 WVFV: Inscribing Gender on the Body pp. 229- 233 Bodies, Beauty, and Dis- WVFV: Designer Vaginas pp. 270-276 cipline WVFV: Love Your Fat Self pp. 265-268 BB: ‘Bigorexia’ and the Male Quest for more Muscle Film: Killing Us Softly 4 BB: Get Injections or Get Lost

10 Tuesday, October 14 Group Proposal Due WVFV: Body Ethics and Aesthetics Among African American and Latina Women pp. 243- Bodies, Race, Sexuality 251 and Culture WVFV: China's Cosmetic Surgery Craze pp. 269-270 BB: Beauty Whitewashed: How White Ideals Exclude Women of Color BB: Nicki Minaj: A Brown Sugar Sphinx Riddle BB: Why Blue Ivy’s Hair Matters BB: US Army’s New Grooming Standards Called Racially Biased Thursday, October 16 WVFV: Women Confronting & Creating Culture pp. 450-472 Women Confronting and WVFV: Enlightened Sexism pp. 479-483 Constructing the Media

Film: Miss Representa- tion Tuesday, October 21 Midterm Paper Due BB: Raunch Culture is Everywhere BB: All Hail the Queen?: What do our per- Women, Culture & Me- ceptions of Beyonce’s feminism say about dia: Representations of us? Women in Pop Culture: BB: Feminist Take on Games Draws Crude Race & Sexuality Ridicule, Massive Support BB: Should We Forgive Marvel for that Awful Spider-Woman Cover? Thursday, October 23 WVFV: If Women Ran Hip Hop p. 483-484 BB: Reclaiming the Media for a Progressive Reclaiming the Media for Feminist Future a Feminist/Womanist Fu- BB: Why Fixing the Media System Should Be on ture the Feminist Agenda BB: 20 Ways to be a Media Activist

Tuesday, October 28 WVFV: Health and Reproductive Rights pp.279-290 Women's Health BB: The Problem with Pink BB: Pink Ribbon Fatigue

Thursday, October 30 WVFV: Health and Reproductive Rights pp.290- 309 Women’s Reproductive BB: Tales from the Bible Belt Health Tuesday, November 4 Group Check-in 1 WVFV: Women of Color and their Struggle for Reproductive Justice pp. 340-345 Reproductive Justice BB: Beyond Pro-Choice v. Pro-Life BB: What Is Reproductive Justice BB: The US Government’s Role in Sterilizing Film: We Always Resist Women of Color

11 Thursday, November 6 WVFV: Family Systems, Family Lives pp. 354- 371 Women & Family WVFV: Partners as Parents pp. 380-385 BB: Selling the Myth of the Ideal Mother Tuesday, November 11 WVFV: Women's Work Inside and Outside the Home pp. 391-413 Women & Work BB: He Works, She Works

Thursday, November 13 WVFV: State, Law, and Social Policy pp. 548- 565 Women and the State: BB: Why Women Make Better Politicians Policy and Leadership - Where are all the women?

Tuesday, November 18 WVFV: Resisting Violence Against Women pp. 503-524 Violence Against Women WVFV: Beyond the Politics of Inclusion pp. 525-527 BB: 10 Things Men can Do to Prevent Gender Violence BB: Queering Approaches to Intimate Partner Vi- olence Thursday, November 20 Group Check-in 2 BB: It Takes a Village to Rape a Woman from The Macho Paradox Violence Against Women: BB: Rape Culture 101 What is "Rape Culture" BB: Ten Things to End Rape Culture and do we live in one?

Tuesday, November 25 WVFV: State, Law, and Social Policy pp. 566-569 Gender, Militarism, Con- BB: Understanding Militarism, Militariza- flict and Peace tion, and the Linkages with Globalization BB: For Women, There are No ‘Just Wars' BB: Feminist Anti-militarism BB: Gaza: It's a Man's War Film: Selection from Women, War & Peace Tuesday, December 2 WVFV: Activism, Change, and Feminist Futures pp. 640-654 Activism, Positive BB: Bringing Feminism a la Casa Change, and Feminist/Womanist Fu- tures

12 Thursday, December 4 Group Portfolio BB: 101 Everyday Ways for Men to be Allies to Women Activism, Positive BB: Excerpt from Global Uprising - TBD Change, and (Based on class interests and discussions) Feminist/Womanist Fu- tures, cont.- Thursday, December 11 Group Presentations Group Evaluations FINAL

8:00 AM to 10:00 AM

Tracking Your Grade

Please keep track of your own grades and number of absences.

Grades will not be posted on Blackboard.

Quizzes: Community Action Project:

Quiz 1: _____/20 Individual Proposal: _____/15

Quiz 2: _____/20 Group Proposal: _____/25

Quiz 3: _____/20 Group Check-in 1: _____/5

Quiz 4: _____/20 Group Check-in 2: _____/5

Quiz 5: _____/20 Group Portfolio: _____/50

Quiz 6: _____/20 Group Presentation: _____/35

[Drop lowest quiz grade] Peer Evaluation: _____/15

13 Quiz Total: _____ Project Total: _____

Situate Yourself Free Write: Midterm Paper:

Free Write: _____/50 Midterm: _____100

Extra Credit:

(If you have two or fewer absences, you will earn 10 extra credit points.)

Extra Credit Total: _____

Your Final Grade: Total Points available in the course: 400

Add the following numbers: A = 400-358

Quiz Total: _____ B = 357-318

Midterm Total: _____ C = 317-278

Free Write Total: _____ D = 277-238

Project Total: _____ F = 237 and below

Extra Credit Total: _____

Total Points Earned: _____