The historical origins, philosophical assumptions, and political
implications of contemporary feminist theories, including
conservative, liberal, radical, and ecological feminist
theories.
Athena Title
Intro to Feminist Theories
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in WMST 4010
Non-Traditional Format
This version of the course will be taught as writing intensive,
which means that the course will include substantial and
ongoing writing assignments that a) relate clearly to course
learning; b) teach the communication values of a discipline-
for example, its practices of argument, evidence, credibility,
and format; and c) prepare students for further writing in
their academic work, in graduate school, and in professional
life. The written assignments will result in a significant and
diverse body of written work (the equivalent of 6000 words or
25 pages). The instructor and/or the teaching assistant
assigned to the course will be closely involved in student
writing, providing opportunities for feedback and substantive
revision.
Prerequisite
WMST 3010 or WMST 3010W or WMST 3110 or WMST 3110W
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student learning Outcomes
Students in this course will identify and analyze central philosophical, ethical, and political issues that characterize feminist theories.
Students in this course will engage in critical thinking of theoretical texts to explore underlying assumptions about the subjects and intents of feminist theory.
Students in this course will develop and support your own stance on feminist theories in class discussions and writing.
Students in this course will engage in fostering a community of learning to create and innovate a project related to feminist theories.
Topical Outline
Introduction to feminist theory. Overview of issues raised by the project of creating feminist theory, including definitions of key terms such as "woman," "women," "feminism," "sex," and "gender"; discussion of the subject matter of "theory" in relation to concepts of intellectual truth and political accountability; development of a list of standard questions used to interrogate all theories under consideration. II. Feminist frameworks. Reading on the history, underlying assumptions, and central assertions of feminist theories. III. Recent developments in feminist theory. IV. Disciplinary approaches to feminist theory. Presentation of student analyses of influential texts in their respective disciplines, drawn from a brief annotated bibliographies provided to the class as a whole. V. Current issues in feminist theory
Institutional Competencies Learning Outcomes
Critical Thinking
The ability to pursue and comprehensively evaluate information before accepting or establishing a conclusion, decision, or action.
Social Awareness & Responsibility
The capacity to understand the interdependence of people, communities, and self in a global society.
