Professor Alexandrina Deschamps

Women's Studies, 208 Bartlett, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA. 01003
Office: Bartlett 7B » Office Hours: Mo 1:00-4:00pm & By Appointment
Telephone: (413) 545-1958 » Fax: (413) 545-1500 » Email: afd@wost.umass.edu

Womensst 187	Introduction to Women's Studies	Spring 2004
	Mo & We: 10:10-11:00am at Bartlett 65 Fri: Discussion Sections

Teaching Assistants: Mirangela Bugs, Kirsten Isgro, Shelly Perdomo, Chizu Sato, Beverly Weber

Description

Placing women's experiences at the center of interpretation, this class introduces basic concepts and key areas of women's lives both historically and contemporaneously. It is an inter-disciplinary, trans-disciplinary, and cross cultural study of women's roles and relations but it is also an overview of theoretical perspectives on gender and its intersection with other social constructs of difference (race/ethnicity, class, sexuality, and age). The central aim is to foster critical reading and thinking about these inter-locking systems which have shaped and influenced the historical, cultural, social, political, and economical contexts of our lives. Specific attention will be given to women's resistance of these gendered inequalities, and the various ways they have worked to create new systems of change by engaging in national and global transformational politics.

Requirements

• You must be registered for both the lecture and the discussion section. Attendance at both is required and mandatory. Reading assignments must be completed by the class period for which they were assigned.
• This course fulfills a general education requirement (IU), Interdisciplinary and Domestic Diversity. You will be expected to pay attention to your writing skills so let us know if you have special learning or writing needs.
• You are responsible for knowing when assignments are due and handing them in on time. Dates of major writing assignments are in this syllabus, but other assignments will be given in your discussion sections. Absence from sections or lectures, even if they are excused absences, do not exonerate you from submitting assignments on time. It is each student's responsibility to find out about assignments from someone in the group or from your Teaching Assistant. All sections may not have the same assignments.
• Discussions will provide the opportunity to talk critically and analyze issues and topics. You will be expected to have completed and thought about all of the readings for each class. Discussion begins Friday, January 30th, 2004. Check your schedules and syllabus for locations.
• Please read the Undergraduate Rights & Responsibilities Booklet 2003-2004 on issues of Academic Honesty, Grading, Attendance, Examinations, and Absences due to Religious Observance. Absences due to Religious Observances do not exonerate you from assignments. You can also find information on the University policy on Class Absence on other University information guides. We will pay strict attention to these.

Written Assignments and Exams

• Exam 1 - Friday, March 05 2004.
• Exam 2 - Friday, March 26 2004.
• One out of class 5 page written assignment. Guidelines will be given out. Papers must always be typewritten and double-spaced. Handwritten papers will not be accepted. Papers must be handed in on due date Friday, April 09 2004. Late papers will be graded down.
• A final exam scheduled during finals week. Do not make plane reservations or plans to leave before you check the final exam schedule.
• Attendance and participation in discussion sections are factored into the final grade. Three unexcused absences will result in your grade being marked down. Non attendance will result in an F for the course.
• Incompletes will not be given in this class unless there are unusual circumstances. Please speak with me or your TA as early as possible.

Grading

Final grades will be computed as follows:

• Participation including attendance, in-class required questions and assignments, web research assignments and possible quizzes (25%).
• Analytic writing assignment - 5 page paper (20%).
• Exam 1 (10%).
• Exam 2 (20%).
• Final Exam (25%) - the final examination will not be cumulative.

Ground Rules

Despite the size of this class, we are concerned about the quality of your experience. To that end we will try to foster as much active participation in the course as is possible. Lectures will include time for questions as they arise, and discussion sections have been designed to continue the dialogue. Make use of office hours to continue class discussions, clarify confusions or to discuss any other academic problems you are having with the course.

• 300 people in one room is a difficult situation on many levels. One of the most mundane but problematic issues is noise. Talking, even whispering, when there are so many people in the room is very disruptive to both the lecturer and other students. This class is 50 minutes and we expect you to remain for the entire period. Do not begin to pack up your things 5 minutes before the period is over. Any kind of rustling can be very disturbing.
• Make up exams will only be given to students who have an exam conflict, and a medical or unavoidable excuse. Ignorance of this rule will not constitute a valid excuse.

Discussion Groups

Discussions sections are not optional or add-ons. They are designed to be an integral part of the course and to provide an opportunity to clarify issues in your readings, films and lectures. We expect you to have completed and thought about all of the readings for that week and to be ready to engage in meaningful dialogue. I will sometimes provide you with pertinent and relevant questions to help guide your understanding and discussions of the readings and concepts.

Discussion Sections

Academic Honesty

Our assumption is that students are generally honest. Necessary action will be taken against students who commit academic dishonesty in compliance with official guidelines. Read and familiarize yourselves with the Undergraduate Rights and Responsibilities booklet. Plagiarism of any kind will be detrimental to your tenure at the University. Ask questions when you are unsure about citations. You will have access to resources for such relevant information. Avoid using written papers from the internet.

Books

[Required]: Arlene Avakian & Alexandrina Deschamps,

A Transdisciplinary Introduction to Women's Studies. ISBN: 0-7872-9375-X. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company, 2002.

[Required]:

Research Navigator. ISBN: 0-205-40837-0. Allyn & Bacon.

[Highly Recommended]: Howard Zinn,

A People's History Of The United States 1492-Present. (Twentieth Anniversary Edition). New York. Harper Perennial, 2001. Chapters 1 & 6 will be on electronic reserve.

Books are available at Food For Thought Bookshop, 106 North Pleasant Street, Amherst.

Topics and Questions to Be Covered for the Semester

The Social Construction of Gender, Race, Class & Sexuality, Diversity & Difference

What is "Women's Studies" and who are the "women"? How is "woman" defined? Does "objective knowledge" exist? In what ways do social, cultural, political and economic forces determine knowledge? Is there a "woman's perspective"? If there is, how do race, class and sexual orientation impact that perspective? How are women alike? How do women differ? Where is the intersection of our "Different Similarities? Does the common experience of patriarchy unite us across our differences? As a concept, oppression has had a long history in feminist scholarship. What does it mean? Why is it important to think about it? What are some of the tensions today? What has changed? Will the regular methods of scholarship and science be adequate for the task of understanding the diversity between women? Will new tools of analysis be necessary ? How do we encourage women and men to relate at the points of their "different similarities" to promote growth, creativity, and social change?

   What is the ideological foundation of the United States? What is the importance of history? How were European American women's lives shaped by the social, legal, religious and economic forces of the time? How has our knowledge of American Indian women been limited? What are some of the contemporary fields of research of American Indian women? What is the economic foundation of slavery? What was the experience of African American women in slavery? What were the economic and political reasons for the internment of Japanese Americans? How did this affect the experiences of Asian American women?

Social & Political Movements: Abolition & Women's Rights, The Civil Rights Movement, The Second & Third Waves Of Feminism

What is abolition? Who were the people involved in the movement? What were the roles of men and women of different races? Was gender an issue? What was the relationship between African American and European women in the abolition movement and the women's rights movement? What were the economic and political bases for lynching? How has lynching impacted and continues to impact gender and race relations? How do societal attitudes towards African American men and Caucasian women contribute to the justification for lynching? What were the goals of the civil rights Movement (CRM)? What were the Jim Crow laws? What was the role of women in the CRM? What did the CRM accomplish? Why was the CRM seen as the "Borning Struggle"? How was the women's movement of the late 1960s and early 1970s shaped by social expectations for women? What can we learn from the successes and mistakes of the movement? What still needs to be done? Where shall we put our greatest efforts? What should be our priorities? How do we revitalize the energy, optimism, and power of the women's movement, and where shall we take it into the future? How do we build allies across gender lines?

Institutions that Shape Women's Lives-Work

How has women's work been historically and traditionally defined? How is this related to societal expectations for women? How do race, class, age, and disability impact definitions of women's work as well as access to wage work? Where are women in the economy today? Do education, individual talents, skills and effort determine women's placement in the work force? Are there still obstacles to women in the work force? What are the consequences and remedial strategies? Are current economic problems de-gendering definitions of work? What are some of the consequences of this phenomenon for women, men, families, children, and our society?

Institutions that Shape Women's Lives-The Family, Gender, Violence & Recurring Issues

How is family defined? What are cross-cultural and historical differences in family forms? What are the roles of women in the family? What has been and is the role of the state in maintaining family systems? How do class and race shape family life? How do economic, political, and social pressures impact families? What roles do racism and sexism play in shaping public policy on the family? What are the strategies women of color have developed to ensure survival of their families? What is the connection between women and poverty? What is the current debate about single mothers, poverty, welfare and marriage? Who are single mothers? What's wrong with current poverty policies and what's the unfinished agenda? What is heterosexism and how does it impact on same sex families? How are definitions of family related to cultural assumptions about sexuality, race, gender and class? What is the current debate and discourse about same sex relationships, same sex families, and same sex unions?

   What is the societal basis of violence against women? What are some major contemporary issues in youth violence? How are gender and masculinity linked to violence? What significant changes have the women's movement made to change issues of gendered violence? Women in this culture live with the reality of rape, what are cultural myths about rape? What is the relationship between rape and cultural definitions of aggressive sexuality for males and passivity for females? How has the activism of feminists affected treatment of rape victims by police and the judicial system? How are men engaging in the national and global resistance of violence against women and the culture of violence?

Institutions that Shape Women's Lives-Health Care, Media, Public Policy, Legal System

What is the basis of our health care system? Who are the main beneficiaries? What are the ways in which gender, race and class impact the quality and kind of health care received? What changes in the health care system have resulted from the efforts of women activists? What are the major contemporary issues with our Health Care system? How is youth and gender tied into patriarchy, the media, and profit? What are the links between media representation and health issues? Why does abortion continue to be a major issue for women? Has abortion always been illegal? What are the consequences of denying women access to abortion? What do we mean by reproductive health and reproductive rights? Is sterilization justified? What are the connections between sterilization abuse and population control nationally and globally?

Resistance, Alliance and Coalition Building: Platforms for Action

What is resistance and how has this been impacted by gender, race, class, age, disability, and sexuality? How do we continue to work for social change that can begin to reverse the inequities and inconsistencies in this age of "Globalization" by challenging and transforming the way in which we look at ourselves in relation to each other and to the world? What is consciousness raising? How do we raise awareness and understanding, our own and others, for social action and change? How can alliances be built across our differences? How can men organize around these issues?

Wed January 28 Introduction to Course: Implications for Women & Men Syllabus, Requirements, Expectations, Guidelines, Introductory Questions

Mon February 02 The Focus of Women's Studies: Key Concepts, Perspectives, Theories, Theorizing & Ways of Knowing [Handout]-Gwyn Kirk & Margo Okazawa-Rey, pp. 7-19.

Wed February 04 Social Identities & Social Locations: Micro, Macro, Levels Readings: [Handout]-Gwyn Kirk & Margo Okazawa-Rey, pp. 49-59.

Mon February 09 Social Construction of Gender: Issues of Equality & Equity Readings: [Text]-Avakian & Deschamps, pp. 3-14 & 25-41.

Social, Economic, Political Histories & the First Wave of the Women's Movement - Suffrage & Feminism

Wed February 11 Women's Lives: Indigenous People, Foundations of U.S. Society & Consequences of Slavery Readings: [Text]-Avakian & Deschamps, pp. 17-20 & 45-51. [E-Reserve]-Howard Zinn, Chapter 1.

Mon February 16 Holiday - President's Day

Wed February 18 European American Women: Colonial & Early National Periods, Republican Motherhood & the Cult of True Womanhood Readings: [Text]-Avakian & Deschamps, pp. 59-68. [E-Reserve]-Howard Zinn, Chapter 6.

Mon February 23 Movements & Ideologies in The 19th Century: Abolition, the First Wave of the Women's Movement Readings: [Text]-Avakian & Deschamps, pp. 73-86. [Web Resources]-Not For Ourselves Alone-Stanton & Anthony & Elizabeth Stanton & Susan Anthony Papers Project Online.

Wed February 25 Black Women, Ida. B Wells & Gender, Race, Class, Sexuality Readings: [Web research assignment will be given].

Mon March 01 Industrialization & Immigrant Women's Work: 1890-1924 Guest Lecture: Professor Arlene Avakian, Director of Women's Studies Readings: [Handout]-From A Century of Women, pp. 7-39.

Wed March 03 Industrialization & Immigrant Women's Work: World War II Video Screening: Rosie The Riveter Readings: [Text]-Avakian & Deschamps, pp. 93-96 & 99-108. [Web Resources]-Rosie The Riveter.

Fri March 05 ***Examination in Discussion Sections***

Social Change, Social Justice, Civil Rights & The Second Wave of the Women's Movement

Mon March 08 Women in the Civil Rights Movement & the Second Wave of the Women's Movement Guest Lecture: Professor Dayo Gore Readings: [Text]-Avakian & Deschamps, pp. 113-133. [Recommended]-Howard Zinn, Chapter 17.

Wed March 10 Women at the Forefront of the Second Wave: Alliances, Coalitions, and Conflicts Film Clips from A Century of Women Readings: [Web assignment will be given].

March 13-21 Spring Break Recess

Contemporaneous Issues: The Ongoing Debates

Mon March 22 Women & Work: Feminization of Poverty, Occupational Segregation Readings: [Text]-Avakian & Deschamps, pp. 137-170. [Web Resource]-American Association of University Women.

Wed March 24 Women & Work: Solutions & Actions - Redefining the Issues Guest Lecture: Gale Melcher, Labor Studies Institute Readings: [Text]-Avakian & Deschamps, pp. 175-186.

Fri March 26 ***Examination in Discussion Sections***

Mon March 29 Women, Work & Realities of the Global Economy Video Screening: Made in Thailand or The City (La Ciudad) Readings: [Text]-Avakian & Deschamps, pp. 87-90 & 219-241.

Wed March 31 Socio-Cultural Concepts of the Family 1: Public Policy & Motherhood Readings: [Text]-Avakian & Deschamps, pp. 245-256 & 271-285. [Web Resource]-www.unmarried.org/rings.html. [Web Resource]-www.pbs.org/americanfamily/series.html.

Mon April 05 Socio-Cultural Concepts of the Family 2: Lesbian & Gay Families Readings: [Text]-Avakian & Deschamps, pp. 259-267.

Wed April 07 Gender, Violence & Masculinity Video Screening: Tough Guise Readings: [Text]-Avakian and Deschamps, pp. 291-317.

Fri April 09 ***Written Assignment Due***

Mon April 12 Gender & Violence: Culture, Femicide, Family Readings: [Text]-Avakian and Deschamps, pp. 321-335. [Web Resource]-No Safe Place.

Wed April 14 Gender & Violence: Myths & Realities of Domestic Violence Invited Panel Discussions Readings: [Text]-Avakian & Deschamps, pp. 341-347 & 351-358.

Mon April 19 Holiday - Patriot's Day

Wed April 21 Gender, Violence, Sports, Sexuality Documentary: It Takes a Team - Making Sports Safe for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Athletes and Coaches Readings: [Web Resource]-The Women's Sports Foundation.

Thu April 22 Gender, Women & Medicalization Readings: [Text]-Avakian & Deschamps, pp. 361-374.

Mon April 26 Women's Bodies: Reproductive Health, Reproductive Freedom Guest Lecture: Dr. Marlene Fried, Hampshire College Readings: [Text]-Avakian & Deschamps, pp. 403-421. [Handout]-Roe vs. Wade, 410 U.S. 113. 1973.

Wed April 28 Women's Bodies: Representations & the Cult of True Womanhood Guest Lecture: Beverly Weber, Ph.D Candidate & T/A Readings: [Text]-Avakian & Deschamps, pp. 377-399.

Mon May 03 Women's Bodies: Sexuality, Contradictions & Double Standards Guest Lecture: Kirsten Isgro, Ph.D Candidate & TA Readings: [Text]-Avakian & Deschamps, pp. 425-432. [Selected Handouts].

Wed May 05 Feminism & Activism: Young Women & Feminism. Can Men be Feminists? The Third & Fourth Waves Readings: [Text]-Avakian & Deschamps, pp. 436-442.

Mon May 10 Campus & Community Activism: An Interdisciplinary Analysis Student Panel

Wed May 13 Dialogues, Discussions, Closing Exercises, Review