Women's Worlds

Prof. W. C. Nielsen Women's Worlds

WMST 102 (13948)
MR 01:00-02:15PM
PARTRIDGE HALL 115
<http://chss.montclair.edu/~nielsenw/wworlds.html>

Prof. Wendy Nielsen
Dickson Hall 324
nielsenw@mail.montclair.edu
Office Hours: M 2:30-4; R 10:30-11:30 & 2:15-2:45; & by appt.

Course Description: This course is an introduction to the interdisciplinary field of Women's Studies and explores topics pertaining to women's lives and the female experience from a historically- and culturally-specific standpoint. Key concepts to discuss this semester include feminism (the lightening rod around which many stereotypes and myths have been built); varieties of bigotry that have had an impact upon women, such as misogyny (hatred of women), sexism, heterosexism, racism, and clasism; and positive and negative issues surrounding gender including sexuality, health, the law, work, and the family. Through a combination of readings, films, discussion, and student presentations, we will learn to think carefully, talk openly, and listen fairly about all of these topics.

Required Text available at University Bookstore:

A. Kesselman, L. McNair, and N. Schniedewind, eds. Women: Images and Realities, a Multicultural Anthology 3rd ed. (McGraw-Hill)

Requirements:

Participation (attendance, voicing ideas in class, homeworks)--25%

Presentations--25%

Essay--25%

Final Exam--25%

Grading Rubric: 98-100 A+; 93-97 A; 90-92 A-; 87-89 B+; 83-86 B; 80-82 B-; 77-79 C+; 73-76 C; 70-72 C-; 67-69 D+; 63-66 D; 60-62 D-; 0-59 F

Please observe the following:

Your classmates and your instructor depend on your presence in class and your full participation. Participation therefore counts for a substantial part of your grade. Please be in class at the start of the hour with work completed. 3 absences are automatically excused, but failure to attend class beyond that number will affect your final grade.

Papers should be no longer or shorter than the length assigned and submitted on time. Use twelve-point type, in Times New Roman or CG Times (or 10 pt. in Veranda, etc.). Late papers will result in grade reductions. Never submit a paper without proofreading it carefully.

To teach students to avoid plagiarism, lectures will also include instruction in MLA documentation of all work. Submitting work and words that are not your own will result in failing this course and disciplinary action by the Dean of Students.

Accommodations are always arranged for students with disabilities. Please call, email, or see the instructor personally.

Owing to organizational issues, late homework assignments (discussion questions, 1-page responses, etc.) cannot be accepted, but you may include them in a final participation portfolio (see assignments for last day).

Tentative Class schedule--Please check website <http://chss.montclair.edu/~nielsenw/wworlds.html> for updates

Date	Topics	Assignments

1. R 9/8	Course/student introduction; What is Feminism? Group Assignments	Monday's reading assignment is in the cell below
2. M 9/12	Review of L. 1; What is Women's Studies?; Finalization of Group Assignments; W. S. Vocabulary	7-44
3. R 9/15	Review; Feminism as a Social Movement, History of Feminism; Sojourner Truth; Meet in Groups	507-50, 564-68
4. M 9/19	Review; Your Questions on Friedan, Wolf & DiFranco; Brides; Modern Bride; Barbie's Homepage; CAMFED; Meet in Groups	42-9, 61-2, 67; HW: Bring 3 Discussion Questions to class (will be collected)
5. R 9/22	Learning Gender, Learning Sexism (II): "Learning Gender;" "Klaus Barbie;" "Allegra Maud Goldman;" "Gender Equity in the Classroom;" "Something's Wrong Here and It's Not Me;" "The Sexual Politics of Interpersonal Behavior"; Film: The Gender Tango; Dawn Dolls	68-73, 76-95
6. M 9/26	Discussion Group #1 (Oral Presentations): Constructing Gender through Culture ; "Purification;" "To be Real"; "Blazes of Truth" & "JAP"; "In Search of Liberation;" "On Being a 'Good Girl';" "Reactions to a Woman Rabbi"	50-61, 63-7, 284-86
7. R 9/29	Discussion Group #1 (Class Discussion); Constructing Gender through Culture (II)	HW: Write one page (typed, ca. 250 words) on how your life would be different if you were the "other" gender--can be posted on Blackboard (under Discussion) instead (group 1 exempt)
8. M 10/3	Body Image (I); "Video"; "Gender and Women's Bodies"; "The Beauty Myth"; "When I was Growing Up;" "Homage to My Hair"; Film: Slim Hopes	109-10, 118-29, 132-33, 144
9. R 10/6	Body Image (II); "The Body Politic;" "Arroz Con Pollo;" "The Body of Evidence;" "Beauty"; Essay Assigned	133-37, 141-48; HW: Bring an advertisement or picture from a magazine that depicts female "beauty;" Write one page explaining N. Wolf's concept of the "Beauty Myth" and using her idea to analyze the image you chose. Staple picture and analysis together
10. M 10/10	Discussion Group #2 (Oral Presentations): Representations of Women and Sexuality in the Media	96-108
11. R 10/13	Discussion Group #2 (Class Discussion); Representations of Women and Sexuality in the Media (II)	Work on Essay Draft; Bring 3 copies of work in progress to class; Base discussion on same readings as for Thursday, plus group presentations
12. M 10/17	Once Were Warriors (NZ, 1995); Review of Film	Formal Writing Project Due
	Unit II
13. R 10/20	[NEW]Class meets in Cohen Lounge: Women's Studies Meeting Constructing Gender in the Family; "X"; "Institutions that Shape Women's Lives;" "Women and the Family"; "Family and Women's Lives"; "Elena"	110-15, 180-86, 250-56
14. M 10/24	Women's Res. Center: Domestic Violence; Constructing Gender in the Family (II); "Don't You Talk about My Mama!;" "Working at Single Bliss;" "A Marriage Agreement;" "Christian Fundamentalism"; Family Pride	267-80, 286-91; Bring 3 discussion questions to class
15. R 10/27	Discussion Group #3 (Oral Pres.): Constructing Gender in the Family III; "Livin' in a Gay Family"	406-08; HW: Write one page about how you define 'family.' Which do you find most useful: a historical, dictionary, or personal definition? Should there be a legal definition of family? If so, why? And what should it be?
16. M 10/31	Discussion Group #3 (Class Disc.); Female Sexuality; "Lusting for Freedom;" "We don't sleep around . . . ;" "Loving another Woman;" "Bisexuality . . . ;" "Revelations;" "Chicana Lesbians;" Student Questions; Film: Breasts: a Documentary	149-60, 167-72, 175-77, 292-97, 402-06
17. R 11/3	Visit from: Center for Non-Violence (Jhon Velasco); Female Healthcare & Reproductive Freedom; "My Church . . . ;" "Health and Reproductive Freedom;" "Breast Cancer;" Cartoon; "Reproductive Freedom;" "The Boston Women's . . . "; Black Women's Health Imperative	282-84; 306-12, 328-54, 520-23
18. M 11/7	Discussion Group #4 (Oral Pres.): Women and Healthcare; "How Women Get Bad Medicine;" "Mandatory Doctor's Visit;" "Elizabeth Ramos;" "Missing persons . . . ;" "Using Pregnancy . . . "	313-27, 345-49
19. R 11/10	Discussion Group #4 (Class Disc.); National Abortion Federation	Base discussion on same readings as for Thursday, plus group presentations
20. M 11/14	[NEW!] Relationship exercise in Bohn Hall Lounge (conducted by Wellness Center, M. Cascarano); Misogyny and the Abuse of Power; "Esta Rica . . . ;" "Violence and Intimate Relationships;" "Holding Up . . . "	161-64, 463-67
21. R 11/17	[NEW!] Class meets in 135 Calcia--Fullbright lecture on Women's Rights in Mexico; Misogyny and the Abuse of Power (II); "Are You . . . ;" "Homophobia and Sexism;" "Sexual Violence . . . ;" "Rape"	394-98, 468-75; Bring 3 discussion questio
22. M 11/21	Discussion Group #5 (Oral Pres.): Violence Against Women; "Violence against Women" (2); "Battering . . . "; "A Letter . . . ;" "Countdown;" "La Princesa;" "The Shame of Silence;" Whose Body . . . ;" "Naming and Studying Acquaintance Rape"; RAINN	444-64, 475-87
23. M 11/28	Discussion Group #5 (Class Disc.); Violence Against Women (II)	Base discussion on same readings as for Monday, plus group presentations
24. R 12/1	MEET IN COHEN LOUNGE (J. Fulcher from Break the Cycle in D.C., Talk on Domestic Violence); Links: Violence Against Women Act 2005; National Coalition against Domes. Violence; NJ Coalition for Battered Women	188-95, 202-03, 215-49
25. M 12/5	Links: Planned Parenthood NJ; NJ Women's Shelters; NDVH; Review for Final; Can Legislation Fix an Inequitable Society?; "An Overview;" "Questions and Answers on Pay Equity;" Friendly . . . ;" "Women, the Law, and Social Policy"; "The Legacy of Class;" Facts about Sexual Harassment; Sexual Harassment Complaint Form	371-93; URL: http://www.eeoc.gov/policy/epa.html; URL: http://www.eeoc.gov/policy/vii.html; Equal Pay Act of 1963; Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
26. R 12/8	Discussion Group #6 (Oral Pres.): Constructing Gender in the Workplace; "Women and Work;" "Office Double Standards;" "The Politics of Housework;" "The Price of Motherhood;" "9 to 5;" "Sexual Harassment;" "In Case of Sexual Harassment;" "Women"	187-88, 195-201, 203-14
27. M 12/12	Disc. Group #6 (Class Disc.); Constructing Gender in the Workplace (II)	504-06, 569-609 and base discussion on same readings as for Monday, plus group presentations
28. R 12/15	Problems and Solutions; Review for Final	HW: Locate, identify, and prepare to describe orally one organization working for positive change for women. If possible, find an organization with a good internet presence so you can bring in the URL to share with the professor and the class. (Optional) portfolio of homeworks and discussion questions due (participation grade)
Finals wk.	Final Exam Monday 12/19 3:15-5:15 pm	Final Exam