Depending on the pace and interest of the class, some assignments may be dropped and/or others added. Changes will be announced in class and on e-mail. 

Overview of Topics: 

Week 1-2: Discussion of key terms, definitions and practices of women's and gender studies, historical overview of women's movements, the field of women's studies and major issues. 

Week 3-5: Categories of difference and identity, structures of knowledge and power. 

Week 6-11 Approaching issues through cross-cultural and interdisciplinary lenses: body politics and sexuality, reproductive rights, environmental health, human rights 

Week 12-14: Individual and Group presentations. 

Due Dates:

Reflection Paper two: Mon., Nov.1 

Group Presentations: last four weeks of semester Group Position Paper: December 22 Synopsis of Goals Achieved: December 22 

Please note: Please read ahead! Assignments for each class are noted for the date on which they are due! For example, Wed, Sept. 15: Rich, "Claiming an Education" indicates that we will discuss Rich's essay on Sept. 15. Unless otherwise noted, all reading for this course are located in the Women Studies 101 Reader. 

WEEK ONE: Historical overview of women's movements and women's studies .Concepts and their transformation in different contexts. Main premises, visions, and goals of Women's Studies 

Mon., Sept. 13: 

Introduction to the course and to concepts of interdisciplinary studies. Class discussion on the meaning of "woman" and "gender" followed by in-class writing exercise and setting of individual goals for the course. 

1)As we enter the 21st century, what are the most pressing issues facing women? 

2) What makes you different from other women? What makes you similar to them? 

3) What are your expectations of this course? What are your academic and personal goals? 

Event: Carol Browner (Administrator for U. S. Environmental Protection Agency will speak on "EPA's Policy: Defining the Public's Interest" at 7:30 p.m. in Chapin Auditorium, Mary Woolley Hall 

Wed., Sept. 15: 

• Rich, "Claiming an Education" and "Towards a Women-Centered University..."

Thurs., Sept. 16: 

• View One Women, One Vote and write a one-page reflection paper summarizing the content and the form of the film.

Mon., Sept. 20: 

• Discussion of One Women, One Vote and the relationship of the different women's movements to current issues in women's studies. "Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions: Seneca Falls Women's Rights Convention 1848" Choose one text and write a one-page reflection paper in which you summarize the main points and then respond to them critically. Do we need women's studies at a women's college? Further discussion questions will be handed out in class.

• Lorde, "The Master's Tools Will Never Dismantle the Master's House"
• hooks, "talking back"

Mon., Sept. 27: Visit to library and in-class exercise in finding and evaluating sources. 

• Mies, Maria. "Towards a methodology for feminist research."
• (optional) Watkins, Bari. "Feminism: a last chance for the humanities?"

• Lorde, Audre, "Age, Race, Class, and Sex." 
• Morrison, The Bluest Eye

Mon., Oct. 4: 

• Morrison, The Bluest Eye (continued)

Wed., Oct. 6: 

• Beauvoir, Simone De. 'Introduction' to The Second Sex
• Tribble, Phyllis. "Eve and Adam: Genesis 2-3 Reread"

Mon., Oct. 11: Fall Break No Class 

Wed., Oct. 13: Reflections Papers Due! 

• Dunne, "The Humboldt Murders" 
• Martin," Biddy "Introduction"

WEEK SIX: Body politics and the representation of sexualities, thinking cross-culturally 

Mon., Oct. 18: 

• Khush and The Body Beautiful, 
• Martin, Emily. Excerpts from The Woman in the Body

• Shiva, "Women, Ecology and Health: Rebuilding Connections."
• Newman, "Killing Legally with Toxic Waste: Women and the Environment in the United States"

EVENT: Attend lecture on environmental justice, Oct. 21 at 7:30. Attend breakfast with our guest on Friday, Oct. 22. 

WEEK SEVEN: Multicultural concepts in women's studies/Latina approaches to feminism. Introduction to issues related to science and gender 

Mon., Oct. 25: 

• Garcia, Alma M. "The Development of Chicana Feminist Discourse"
• Morales, Rosari. Getting Home Alive

• Morales, Rosari. Getting Home Alive

Mon., Nov. 1: Reflection Paper; Two Excerpts from Science 260 (16. April, 1993). 

• Hubbard, Ruth. "Gender Ideology and the Biology of Sex Differences"
• Keller, Evelyn Fox, "Feminism and Science" 
• Barad, Karen, "A Feminist Approach to Teaching Quantum Physics"

WEEK NINE: Human rights and women's rights 

Mon., Nov. 8: 

• Rao, "The Politics of Gender and Culture in International Human Rights Discourse" 
• Schirmer, Jennifer, "The Claiming of Space and the Body Politic within National-Security States: The Plaza de Mayo Madres and the Greenham Common Women"

• Rao, "The Politics of Gender and Culture in International Human Rights Discourse" 
• Schirmer, Jennifer. "The Claiming of Space and the Body Politic within National-Security States: The Plaza de Mayo Madres and the Greenham Common Women" 

WEEK TEN: Internationalizing women's studies: breaking down dichotomies between "western" views and "other "views 

Mon., Nov. 15: With Their Eyes Open and Las Madres 

• Guy-Sheftall, Beverly, "Shifting Contexts: Lessons from Integrating Black, Gender, and African Diaspora Studies" 
• Toubia, Nahid, "Female Genital Mutilation" 
• Mohanty, Chandra, "Under Western Eyes: Feminist Scholarship and Colonial Discourses" 
• Lim, Shirley Geok-lin, "The Center Can(not) Hold: U.S. Women's Studies and Global Feminism"

• See Monday, Nov. 15

Thurs. Nov. 18: View: Citizen Ruth 

WEEK ELEVEN: the politics of abortion 

Mon., Nov. 22: 

• Gold-Steinberg, Sharon. "Personal Choices in Political Climates: Coping with Legal and Illegal Abortion." 
• Morgan, Lynn M. "When Does Life Begin? A Cross-Cultural Perspective on the Personhood of Fetuses and Young Children."
• Petschesky, Rosaline Pollack. "Morality and Personhood. A Feminist Perspective." 
• Foster, Serrin. "Pro-Life Students Coerced by 'Choice.'"
• Citizen Ruth

Wed., Nov. 24: no class 

• Assignment: prepare group presentation

Mon., Nov. 29: Group presentation 

• Assignment: prepare group presentation

• Assignment: prepare group presentation

Mon., Dec. 6: Group presentation 

• Assignment: Group presentation

• Assignment: Group presentation

Mon., Dec. 13: Group Presentation 

• Assignment: prepare group presentation

• Assignment: Finish group position paper