Introduction to Women's Studies

WMST 101

Lecture Outlines        Resources

Instructor:                     Dr. Tara Mitchell         

Email:                           tmitchel@lhup.edu

Office:                          Robinson 305

Phone:                          570-484-3866

Office Hours:                MTWRF 8:30 - 10:10

Class Website:              www.lhup.edu/tmitchel/wmst

I.          Course Information:      

A.        Course Title:                 Introduction to Women’s Studies, WMST 101

            B.         Class meetings:            MTWRF

                                                8:30 am – 10:10 am

                                                Robinson 318

            C.         Credits:                       Three (3)

            D.        Gen. Ed. Overlays:       Multicultural

II.         Course Objectives and Overview

I myself have never been able to find out precisely what feminism is: I only know that people call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a doormat or a prostitute.

                        --Rebecca West

Course Overview

This course explores the social construction of gender and the interconnections between gender, race, and power in the lives of all women.  Using diverse cultural and feminist perspectives, we will examine such issues as class, race, sexuality, identity, the media, and violence to seek strategies that will help create a more egalitarian society.  Some questions that will guide our discussions are:  What does “feminism” mean and what does it mean to be a feminist?  Is there more than one “feminism”?  How do constructions of gender affect women?  How can we challenge constructions of gender that limit women’s potential?  How do constructions of gender affect and limit men as well?  How can we make societal and world change that will benefit everyone?

III.       The method of instruction consists of lectures, videos, discussions, and learning activities.

IV.       Requirements:

A.        Required Texts:

                        Kirk, G., & Okazawa-Rey, M. (2007). Women’s lives: Multicultural perspectives (4^th ed.). Boston: McGraw-Hill. (ISBN-13: 978-0-07-352941-7)

B.                     B.        Method of evaluation:

                        1.            Participation (40%)

Your participation grade will be evaluated on the basis of your informed contributions to in-class discussions. This will be conducted as an interdisciplinary seminar course. Each unit, you and a partner will be assigned one article to lead the discussion on. Although you will be expected to contribute to all parts of the discussion, your understanding and leadership on these articles will be the primary component of your participation points. You will need to generate “discussion starter” questions, which you will turn in. Although it will not be your fault if people are finding it difficult to discuss an article, it will be your fault if you are not prepared to get them started.

                             2.         Exam (20%):

There will be one (1) exam - the final.  The final will be a take home essay exam. It will have one question – “Based on the information you have learned in this course, how would you improve current society?” You will need to be able to synthesize the information covered in the entire course. You can start whenever you like, but the final will be due on the last day of class. You will receive a zero (0) on the exam if: you do not promptly notify me that you have to that day. You will receive a more detailed rubric as part of the course handouts.

                             3.         Advertising Critique (15%):

This assignment asks you to choose a form of expression from popular media and examine how women are addressed, imagined, and constructed by that form of expression itself.  What does the advertisement say about the identity and place of women today?  How is the advertiser playing into gender stereotypes or ideas?  What does the advertisement say about how women fit into and are treated in our society? Do the forms contradict themselves? Does the ad present itself as subversive?  Is it or does it actually perpetuate gender stereotypes?  (Or vice versa.)  Your form of expression can include television shows, print or electronic advertising, independent (e.g., YouTube) films, and the like. You should spend approximately 2 hours gathering your expression. Your critique should draw upon class readings for support and development. 

 

In addition to analyzing the expression, discuss the form in which it appears (e.g., television sitcom, movie, print advertisement.

                             4.          Projects (15%):

                           There will be several projects assigned throughout the semester. Some will be completed during class time while others will be completed on your own time or in a group setting. The projects will consist of research, writing, and possibly public presentation.

                                                        5.        Presentations (10%):

                           You will have two presentations to make. The first will be of your advertising critique. The second will be of your final exam. Both of these presentations will be based on an original assignment. You will be expected to summarize your findings for the assignment and be prepared to answer questions from your classmates. No presentation should be longer than 10 minutes.

                          6.          Academic Honesty:

Academic honesty is essential! Any form of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated and will result in, at minimum, a zero score on the specific assignment and a maximum of a “E” grade for the class. See the Student Handbook for the University “Academic Honesty Policy and Procedure.” Cheating on an exam is unacceptable and if you are caught cheating you will be given an “E” in the course.  There will also be no tolerance for plagiarism in your assignments.  If you are reporting information that you learned from another source, that source must be cited and direct quotes must be placed in quotation marks and cited.  If you are discussing thoughts based on discussion with another classmate, it must be indicated. Failure to do so will result in an “E” in the course and you will be reported for academic misconduct.  Not understanding what constitutes plagiarism will not be accepted as an excuse for plagiarism. 

 

V.       Expectations:

            A.        Attendance and Preparation:

1.             Taking attendance:

Your attendance will be obvious due to the large amount of discussion. I will not send around a sign-in sheet. However, please remember that you will need to turn in discussion starter questions for each class. You must turn these in to get participation credit. 

                         2.           Missing class:

Keep two things in mind in regards to missing class.  First, if you are not in class, your participation and project grades will be low, because you will not be able to turn in your assignments.  Secondly, when you miss class, it is your responsibility to get the notes for that session.  I will make outlines of the PowerPoint lectures available to everyone, but I will not provide detailed notes. 

             3.           Assignments:

All assignments are due at the beginning of the class session. If you can not attend class on the day an assignment is due, please send the assignment with a classmate. If you are not in class on time on the days an assignment is due, the assignment will be late and you will lose 2 points. If you do not come to class at all, I will not accept the assignment, unless you have documented, extraordinary circumstances. 

                        B.         Electronics in the classroom:

1.             Laptops/Tape Recorders:

I am open to the use of any electronic equipment that will help your learning.  You are free to bring laptops or tape recorders in order to record the lecture.

                     2.         Communication Devices:

There will be NO beepers or cellular telephones allowed in class.  This includes pagers set to vibration mode.  If a phone rings during class, I will answer it. If there is a legitimate problem with this rule, please see me. 

                     3.         Classroom Behavior:

                                    1.         Schedule:

You should arrive in class on time. It is distracting for me and probably for everyone, when people come in late. Please do everything in your power to arrive on time. Secondly, you should stay in the class until I dismiss you. It is extremely distracting to have people pack up and leave in the middle of a class session. If, due to that life thing happening, you have to leave early, please be sure to sit near the exit and to leave as quietly as possible.

                                                2.           Discussions:

I expect for you to take an active part in the course and your education. This means answering questions posed to the class, asking questions for clarification of the information presented in class, and coming to my office hours for any additional help you need. I can not work with you to make the material clear, if you do not tell me that you do not understand the material!

                                                3.          Conduct:

I expect you to treat one another, and me, with respect. This means that you will not talk amongst yourselves during class, which is disrespectful to me, and to your classmates who are trying to hear the material. You will also be respectful of the opinions of all your classmates during our discussions, even when you disagree. The classroom will be an area where you are each welcome to express opinions and ideas and to learn from one another. Also, if you have a question or need clarification, it is likely one of your classmates has the same question. Please ask the question as we cover the material. Your grades, and your classmate, will thank you!

IV.       Outside Resources:

            A.     Reasonable accommodations:

Students with disabilities are encouraged to discuss requests for reasonable accommodations with me at the beginning of the semester. For accommodations to be provided, the Office for Disability Services must verify your disability. Please contact the Office for Disability Services for further information.

B.    Help with material:

If you find yourself having difficulty with the material, please make use of my office hours. In a one-on-one session, we will be able to come up with a plan to help you with the course material. If you do not make use of these office hours, I will not be as able to help with any difficulties.

V.        Grading Policy:

            Grades will be based on your performance on exams, projects, and other assignments.  The following grading scale will be used:

 VI.       Class Schedule:

The class schedule is subject to change at my discretion, based on our ability to cover the material.