Women s, Gender and Sexuality Studies 1110 Gender, Sex and Power Spring 2013 Monday 10:05am-11.55am

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1 Women s, Gender and Sexuality Studies 1110 Gender, Sex and Power Spring 2013 Monday 10:05am-11.55am Instructor: Varsha Chitnis Office: 037 University Hall Office Phone: Office Hours: In office: Monday 12:30-1:30 pm Via Skype: Wednesday 11:00am 12:00pm, and by appointment Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: Students who have verification from Disability Services are responsible for contacting the instructor as soon as possible to make necessary arrangements. The Office for Disability Services (150 Pomerene Hall; ; ) verifies the need for accommodations and assists in the development of accommodation strategies. Texts: Reading Women s Lives: Women, Culture, and Society (Compiled by Varsha Chitnis for Spring 2013). Pearson Custom Publishing, available at SBX. Course Description: WS110 is a prerequisite for the major and minor in Women s Studies. The course fulfills three GEC requirements: Culture and Ideas; Social Diversity in the US; Individuals and Groups. This course introduces the interdisciplinary field of Women s, Gender and Sexuality Studies and analyzes various social institutions through a focus on gender. We will explore the study of women and the emergence and growth of feminism in the US by examining the intersections of gender with race, class, sexuality, and dis/ability. The topics covered by this course relate to feminisms and the women s movements, gender socialization, inequality and difference, labor and politics, the body, violence and sexualities. The overall objective of this course is to introduce and examine critical issues of gender, sex, and power. Course Objectives: To understand the ways in which women in all their diversity are affected by the society, culture and its institutions. 1

2 To identify the ways in which the feminist movements have challenged systems of domination and oppression. To examine some core feminist ideas, including privilege, oppression, intersectionality, and the social construction of gender. To develop critical reading, writing and thinking skills. Carmen: Carmen (OSU s online learning system) will be used in this course. To access Carmen, log on at and select this class from the Spring 2013 Classes. Carmen will be used to post copies of additional materials from class and the readings that are not included in the Reading Women s Lives. Changes to the syllabus will also be posted there in addition to being announced in class. Carmen will also be used to facilitate further discussion of issues pertaining to themes discussed in class. The discussion boards on the Carmen site will allow you to both introduce new materials and opinions as well as continue discussions from class. Contributions on Carmen may help bolster the overall participation grades in addition to class participation. Grading: Attendance and Class Participation 10% Response papers 20% Critical Reflection Papers 20% Mid-Term Examination 20% Final Examination 30% 100% Grading Scale: % A 90-92% A % B % B 80-82% B % C % C 70-72% C % D % D 60-62% D Attendance and Class Participation The most basic requirement of the course is to attend the class and participate in the discussions. Students will be allowed 1 (one) absence. Each additional absence will result in the deduction of 2 (two) points from your attendance and participation grade. Coming in late and/or leaving early will also affect your attendance grade. Writing Assignment: Response Papers You will turn in 4 (four) one-page response papers on the reading/s of your choice throughout the semester. The purpose of this assignment is to develop reading, understanding, integrating and expressing in your own words different readings and ideas. Each paper will be worth 5% of your total grade. The response papers should be submitted in the Dropbox on Carmen. You will turn in the paper on the day that we discuss the particular reading/s that you have chosen for your response. 2

3 Writing Assignment: Critical Reflection Papers To foster critical thinking and writing, this course also requires you to write 2 (two) 4-5 page reflection papers which are to be submitted on the days mentioned in the Course Schedule (in this syllabus). Each paper is worth 10% of your final grade. Topic for Papers: You can choose a topic of your liking for this paper, which can be a single reading, a collection of readings, or a theme/concept/issue that has developed through the course. Critical Reflection papers should not merely summarize the readings or topic but rather should reflect critical thinking, and thoughtful analyses. To that end you may choose to do additional research and cite other scholarship (either from our Reader or from outside research) to justify your arguments. Please note that these reflection papers are not opinion pieces and you will need to substantiate your views with adequate references/citation. A critical reflection paper should aim to: Introduce a topic, reading or theme that you find interesting and want to explore further. Analyze the topic and examine their relationship to feminism Integrate these ideas with other readings and themes from the class Reflect on how this topic may relate to your as well as others lives and/or is reflected in popular culture *. Format for the papers: Both the response and critical reflection papers must be typed in double-space using a 12 point font (if you intend to use larger fonts like Verdana, please adjust your font accordingly. I would use an 11-point font for Verdana). Critical Reflection papers are to be submitted as a hard copy in class. Late papers will not be accepted. Examinations This course has two examinations: Mid-term and Final (on the days mentioned in the syllabus). Both these exams will be based on reading assignments, films, and videos viewed in the class, and class discussions. The format will be mix of objective type (fill in the blanks, multiple-choice, true or false etc.) and short, descriptive answers. Since one of the GEC goals of this course is to cultivate writing skills, pay special attention to descriptive-style answers. Please write in full, correct sentences. Avoid bulleted points, and incomplete sentences. Makeup exams will be given only in case of documented emergencies or by prior permission. Important Guidelines for Class Discussion It is important that you come prepared to thoughtfully discuss class material. This class aims to make every student completely comfortable in expressing their views, but it is important to remember that your classmates might come from diverse backgrounds and experiences. It is of utmost importance, therefore, to conduct all class discussion in a respectful manner. In order to facilitate productive class discussions please turn off ALL electronics, be on time to class, do not interrupt while others are speaking, and do not pack up or leave early. * Adapted from Natalie Jolly at 3

4 Academic Misconduct and Plagiarism: As defined by University Rule , plagiarism is "the representation of another's works or ideas as one's own: it includes the unacknowledged word for word use and/or paraphrasing of another person's work, and/or inappropriate unacknowledged use of another person's ideas." Plagiarism is one of the most serious offenses that can be committed in an academic community; and it is the obligation of this department and its instructors to report all cases of suspected plagiarism to the Committee on Academic Misconduct. After the report is filed, a hearing takes place and if the student is found guilty, the possible punishment ranges from failing the class to suspension or expulsion from the university. Although the existence of the Internet makes it relatively easy to plagiarize, it also makes it even easier for instructors to find evidence of plagiarism. It is obvious to most teachers when a student turns in work that is not her or his own; search engines make documenting the offense very simple. These are some ways you can avoid plagiarism: Always cite your sources (your instructor can help with this) Always ask questions before you turn in an assignment if you are uncertain about what constitutes plagiarism See your instructor if you are having difficulty with an assignment. To preserve the integrity of OSU as an institution of higher learning, to maintain your own integrity, and to avoid jeopardizing your future, DO NOT PLAGIARIZE! Writing Center: I am available to assist you with assignments and help you develop your work during my office hours or by appointment. The university also provides an incredible writing resource with the University Writing Center. The Writing Center allows you to make appointments to get assistance from trained writing tutors. To utilize this university-sponsored service, contact the Writing Center at (614) or visit for more information. You are expected to complete the readings by the date listed on the syllabus. Course lectures, class discussions, and activities are all designed to supplement and contextualize the readings. The best way to be prepared for class is to take notes and summarize the readings in your own words, making note of any questions that you can bring to the class for discussion. Resist the urge to skim the readings as this will not adequately prepare you for class. * As the instructor, I reserve the right to make changes to the class schedule, if required. However, I will inform you about these changes well ahead of time through an announcement in the class and/or by . 4

5 Schedule 7 January: What is Women s Studies? Feminism and Women s Studies Overview of the course and introduction to critical concepts 14 January: What is Feminism? Feminism as a Political Identity Susan Hartmann, Feminism and Women s Movements Ruth Lister, Being Feminist Penny A. Weiss, I m Not a Feminist, But 21 January: No Class - Martin Luther King Day Homework: Watch Film Iron Jawed Angels [copies available through OSU libraries and from the instructor] 28 January: Women s Movements in the US Susan Douglas, Fantasies of Power Ellen Carol DuBois, The First Women s Rights Movement The Seneca Falls Convention, Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions Sojourner Truth, Ain t I a Woman? 4 February: Difference, Inequality, Intersectionality Peggy McIntosh, White Privilege Combahee River Collective, A Black Feminist Statement Anonymous, Asian is Not Oriental 11 February: Difference, Inequality, Intersectionality Uma Narayan, Undoing the Package Picture of Cultures Rosemarie Garland-Thomson, Re-shaping, Re-thinking, Re-defining Cherrie Moraga, La Guera Critical Reflection Paper 1 Due 18 February: Gender Socialization Cynthia Burack, Gender Socialization Katha Pollitt, The Smurfette Principle Rachel Burgess, Feminine Stubble Fred Pelka, Raped In-class Film: The Codes of Gender 25 February: Gender in/and Politics Nancy Campbell, Politics, Government and Public Policy Anne E. Kornblut, Madam President Amy Caiazza, Does Women s Representation in Election Office Lead to Women Friendly Policy? 4 March: Mid-Term Examination 11 March: No Class Spring Break 5

6 18 March: Gender in/and Labor Mary M. Fonow, Work, Poverty and Economic Policy bell hooks, Rethinking the Nature of Work M. Margaret Conway, et.al. Historical Background of Child Care and Family Leave Issues Lois Leveen, Factory Girl 25 March: Motherhood and Reproduction Sally Kitch, Motherhood and Reprodcution Katrin Bennhold, In Sweden, Men Can Have It All Douglas and Michaels, The Mommy Wars Meisha Rosenberg, The Scarlet I 1 April: Violence Willa Young, Violence The Rape of Mr. Smith D.G. Domestic Violence Latoya Peterson, The Not-Rape Epidemic Jervis and Zeisler, Hot and Bothered Critical Reflection Paper 2 Due 8 April: The Body and Sexualities Valerie Lee, The Body Ara Wilson, Sexualities Caroline Heldman, Out-of-Body Image Sandra Bartky, Foucault, Femininity, and the Modernization of Patriarchal Power [Carmen] 15 April: The Body and Sexualities Rebecca Chalker, Updating the Model of Female Sexuality In-class Film: Dreamworlds 3 22 April: Feminist Visions/Visionary Feminism Raka Ray, On Gendering a Better Life Baumgardner and Richards, A Day without Feminism Jan J. Pettman, Global Politics and Transnational Feminisms 29 April: Final Examination 10:00 11:45am 6