INTRODUCTION TO WOMEN’S STUDIES AH 300 A, 3 credits Fall 2001 (MWF 12:00-12:50)

ABOUT THIS COURSE:
      Introduction to Women’s Studies fulfills a course requirement for the major in history or social science, and is a core course in the ethnic and gender studies minor.  The course is designed to provide an introduction to the field of Women’s Studies, its issues, themes, theories, and applications, and to contribute to our understanding of women’s lives in many areas: work, family, life cycle, sexuality, religion, politics, and the law.  The course is also intended to provide an introduction to some of the principal texts and writers in the field. Women’s Studies is interdisciplinary in nature, incorporating the humanities, social sciences, and the arts.
      AH 300A will focus primarily on women in United States society, encompassing both the commonalities of American women’s experiences and the differences created by race, class, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and age.  We will also examine the changes in American society brought about by feminist activism, and, wherever possible, we will attempt to view American women’s lives and issues in a global context.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES:
 Students completing this course will:
1. Understand the historic origins of Women’s Studies as an academic subject and be familiar with the basic concepts and issues in the field.  They will be able to explain basic women’s studies concepts to the non-initiate.  They will develop an awareness of gender as a significant determinant of human life.

2. Become familiar with the principal writers and theorists in Women’s Studies and with a body of important short articles, fiction, poetry, and film by and about women.

3. Learn and practice civil, intellectual discussion of highly controversial subjects.

4. Learn and practice the collection and writing of oral history.

5. Improve writing techniques, critical thinking, and expression of ideas through the creation of journals and critical essays.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

Class Participation:  This class will primarily focus on discussion of readings and issues.  It is critical that you attend and that you be prepared for class each day.  You may miss three classes without any loss of credit, but additional absences will cause your grade to go down in regular increments.  You will be required to contribute to class discussion each day.

Journals:  You will each keep a journal in which to record your reflections on the course readings.  You are also encouraged to incorporate personal reflections on experiences, and any news items or other source-materials containing issues related to women.  Your journal will be graded only for completeness, not for your opinions or the nature of its contents.  However, the journal and class participation, taken together, are worth 30% of your final grade.

Exams:  There will be mid-term and final exams in this course, consisting of short and long essays.  You will receive a review sheet and be able to review for each exam in class before you take it.  The exams are worth 25% of your grade.

Projects:  You will have a choice of term projects for this course, either a research paper or a project based on interviews with women in your family or community.  The research paper may grow out of topics in your journal or involve some current or historical women’s issue; the oral history project will combine interviews with research designed to provide a context for the issues raised in the interviews. You will be asked to make a brief in-class presentation based on your research.  20%

Literature Response Papers:  We will read three novels in this course in addition to our textbook.  You will write a 3-5 page response to each of the books, dealing with specific questions about the books and the issues they raise.  You will be given a list of questions in advance.   25%

REQUIRED BOOKS

Making Sense of Women’s Lives: An Introduction to Women’s Studies  Michelle Plott and Laurie Umansky, eds.  Collegiate Press, 2000.

The Bluest Eye:  Toni Morrison
Herland:  Charlotte Perkins Gilman
The Handmaid’s Tale:  Margaret Atwood

ADDITIONAL READINGS
Additional articles required for this course will be on reserve in the library or handed out in class.

FILMS 
      Films, like novels, can contribute a great deal to our understanding of women’s issues. We will watch both Hollywood movies and documentary films occasionally in class.  Additional films may be assigned as homework.

For more information, contact:
Professor Karen Manners Smith
phone: (620) 341-5538