Course Objective

This Introduction to Women's Studies will provide an analysis of the various cultural contexts for gender bias in contemporary American society. We will examine women's relationships to various topics including (but not limited to) gender, sexuality, body image, fine arts, violence, health, popular culture, work, and family. The goal of our work together is to critically evaluate and understand how gender shapes our experience in society and is related to our experiences of race, class, sexual orientation, age, etc.

Course Structure

This is not a lecture course. You are responsible for reading the assignments prior to class. We will discuss the material together, in a conversation. Sometimes you will respond to questions in writing during class. There will be some group work during class time, too. I expect you to perform with integrity and aplomb. Your constructive participation is required.

Written Expectations

You will do a lot of writing for this course. I expect you to write from your head and your heart. Some of the assignments are reflective, ones that generate meaning fom your experience. Other are more analytical of specific texts, relying on your ability to properly and interestingly cite the ideas and words of other writers. You must use either the MLA or AP styles. I expect all your writing to be clear, well structured in full sentences, and without spelling errors.

Required Reading

Anderson, ML. Thinking About Women: Sociological Perspectives on Sex and Gender. 7th Ed. Boston MA: Pearson Publishing. (2006)
(Listed as Thinking on the schedule.)

The Fire This Time: Young Activists and the New Feminism edited by Vivien Labaton and Dawn Lundy Martin. New York: Anchor Books. (2004)
(Listed as Fire on the schedule.)

Office Hours and Contact Info

You may contact me by email or leave a message at 480.965.5116. I hold office hours by appointment only on Tuesdays and Thursdays and I meet with students in UCB 323, the Women's Resource Center.

Attendance and Participation

I expect you to come to class having read the assignments and prepared to discuss them. Practice active reading as you prepare for class: make notes and questions about what you are reading, highlight important phrases, make meaningful connections between your experience and the writing. Your attendance and participation will be measured by your presence in class, performance on in-class writing assignments and constructive participation in class discussions.
Total possible points: 100.

Exams

The take-home mid term of two essay questions and a final exams of one essay question. Your exam responses will be typed, double-spaced, on white pape and stapled with no cover sheets or folders. I want to discern from your writing that you have digested the material from our readings, assignments and classroom conversations. I expect you to cite specific texts in your responses, and cite them properly in MLA or AP style. Answer each question in 12 point Times New Roman with 1 inch margins.
Total possible points: 200.

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Blog Assignments

You will construct and maintain a blog for this class. Each of the six assignments are worth 50 points. The first blog posting is due Thursday, January 24 by 8am.
Total possible points: 300.

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism

It is your responsibility to perform with integrity in this classroom. Read and understand the Student Academic Integrity Policy. If you don't understand what it says, ask me. Remember, plagiarism is easy to detect. Don't do it. Figure out what it is -- you may be surprised by the subtleties of the practice.

Classroom Conduct

Turn off your cell phones. Put away your MP3 players and PDAs.

The content of this class requires you to critically engage with explicit material. I expect you to do so respectfully and with tact. If your discomfort with the material renders you unable to participate in a focused analysis, please feel free to leave the room.

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Grades

Grades will be posted on Blackboard. Final grades are determined according to the following scale:

All information on this website is subject to change at my discretion, including the reading schedule and due dates for assignments and exams. It is your responsiblity to know what is due and when.

Contact Jo