GWSS 3102W is also offered in Fall 2024
GWSS 3102W is also offered in Fall 2023
GWSS 3102W is also offered in Fall 2022
GWSS 3102W is also offered in Fall 2021
Fall 2020 | GWSS 3102W Section 001: Feminist Thought and Theory (15791)
- Instructor(s)
- Class Component:
- Lecture
- Credits:
- 3 Credits
- Grading Basis:
- Student Option No Audit
- Instructor Consent:
- No Special Consent Required
- Instruction Mode:
- Completely Online
- Class Attributes:
UMNTC Liberal Education Requirement
Online Course
- Times and Locations:
Regular Academic Session
Tue,
Thu 10:15AM - 11:30AM
Off Campus
UMN REMOTE
- Enrollment Status:
Open (39 of 40 seats filled)
- Also Offered:
- Course Catalog Description:
- Substantively, this course surveys the rich and varied history of influential feminist ideas. These ideas propel us to think critically about sex, gender, sexuality, and the categories that intersect with them; these ideas provide us with language to express ourselves more critically and creatively; these ideas enable us to rethink relationships of power and forge coalition-al values and connections across difference. This course also holds the field of feminism accountable for its influence, in hopes of contributing to more liberating feminist theories. Methodologically, this course develops students' skills in tracking arguments, understanding commonly used theoretical terms, learning how to apply theory to real life situations, and honing students' theoretical writing.
- Class Notes:
- This course is completely online in a synchronous format. The course will meet online at the scheduled times.
- Class Description:
- What is theory? What is feminist theory? What does theory tell us about the world and our place in it? How do our experiences of race, class, gender, and sexuality create the possibility of theorizing difference and power? How have various feminist theories challenged some forms of oppression and yet been complicit with others? Feminist Thought and Theory is an intermediate level exploration of the major theoretical trends, debates, and politics of contemporary feminist analysis and critique. The course will address the historical role and continued relevance of feminist theory by tracking debates within the field and by applying "feminist thinking" to today's political and cultural conflicts. The course is fundamentally intersectional and interdisciplinary: It is intersectional in that it considers sex, gender, race, class, sexuality, nationality, ability, and other differences as deeply entwined with one another and central to both culture and politics. It is interdispciplinary in that it draws from multiple fields of study, including philosophy, ethnic studies, literature, political theory, law, history, sociology, and others. The course will work through feminist thought about epistemology/knowledge production, the role of experience in theory, identity politics, law and criminality, contemporary imperialism, corporeality, queer/trans/feminist debates, and feminist political agency. In doing so, the course will be a gateway for students interested in women's and gender studies, LGBT and queer studies, sexuality, cultural studies, and social justice struggles. As a ?Writing Intensive? course, Feminist Thought and Theory requires a semester-long major writing project that is distinct from other class assignments and that has a scheduled revision process. This major writing project is heavily weighted in students? final grades and is required to pass the course. In addition to the major writing project, the course requires weekly responses to study guide questions and a group project that examines in depth one of the weekly themes and guides class discussion of that theme. Student participation in class discussions is essential to success in this course, as is a willingness to read and grapple with theoretical writing.
- Class Format:
- 40% Lecture
40% Discussion
20% Small Group Activities
- Workload:
- Other Workload: Graded components include a major writing project, a group project, short responses to readings, and participation. Required readings are frequently dense and analytically challenging.
- Textbooks:
- https://bookstores.umn.edu/course-lookup/15791/1209
- Instructor Supplied Information Last Updated:
- 28 October 2014
ClassInfo Links - Fall 2020 Gender, Women, & Sexuality Std Classes