Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2020 - GSWS 822 G100

Graduate Seminar in Feminist Theory (5)

Class Number: 6602

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 9 – Dec 8, 2020: Tue, Fri, 12:00–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

This course will analyze and compare major feminist social and political theories, including those that have emerged from liberal, socialist and radical feminist traditions. The relationship among theories of sexism and political goals and practices will be discussed.

COURSE DETAILS:

The feminist activity and theory of the late twentieth century is often referred to as the ‘second wave’ and developed and co-existed with other social movements agitating for socialist goals, racial equality, gay liberation and anti-war amongst others. This was a historical period rich in discussions of a range of oppressions and the interconnections amongst sex, class, race and sexuality.

We will study a number of feminist theorists who constitute a selection of work from the tradition of western feminisms (written or translated into English from USA, UK, France, Italy, Canada and India). This is not a complete representation nor is it intended to be so; it is a collection of some major writings from a variety of traditions (usually) identified as Liberal; Radical; Black; Materialist and Revolutionary feminisms. Each reading will be discussed in the context of the society and time in which it was originally published; as such we will also examine the history of the US in the 1950s and 1960s; Canada in the 1960s; the UK in the 1970s and 1980s and France in the late 1960s and 1970s. We will understand the formal political context; the legal position of women; the co-existence of other political movements and the state of feminist debates surrounding each of the works we will read. We will also discuss the political and social actions related to each of these strands of feminist thought, such as Reclaim the Night marches; campaigns for reproductive rights; educational and employment opportunities for women; anti-violence and pornography campaigns; Wages for Housework amongst others.

The course has a heavy reading list of complex, theoretical readings. You will find it challenging but we will work together to examine and analyze each of them to the best of our abilities. This course will help you develop a solid historical background.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

For more detailed information please see the GSWS website:

http://www.sfu.ca/gsws/graduate/courses/Educational_Goals.html

Grading

  • Reading Presentations Reading Presentations – students will rotate through leading discussion on readings in real time online, this may include a PowerPoint style presentation of up to 30 minutes. 30%
  • Reading Reflections Reading Reflections – students will submit papers reflecting on their thoughts in regard to each set of readings, maximum 500 words per reflection. 30%
  • Essay Proposal with Reading List - due mid term Essay Proposal – 500 words essay proposal – must be a theoretical focused paper 10%
  • Final Paper - due one week after last class Final Paper – 3000 words. 30%

NOTES:

SYNCHRONOUS and/or ASYNCHRONOUS CLASS SCHEDULING

This course will be delivered synchronously (ie in real time online) with course materials available online after delivery. It will be delivered in two sessions per week and students must be available for both sessions which are Tuesdays 12:00-14:30 and Friday 12:00-14:30 (PST).

This is an ONLINE course and you will need access to the internet and you will need to be available for online video sessions when we will discuss the reading materials. Most of the materials are available electronically via our library system and others are housed in Canvas.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

• Betty Friedan 1963 – The Feminine Mystique
• bell hooks 1981 – Ain’t I a Woman: Black Women and Feminism
• Shulamith Firestone 1970 – The Dialectic of Sex
• Christine Delphy 1984 – Close to Home
• Margaret Benston 1969 – ‘The Political Economy of Women’s Liberation’ (Canvas)
• Betsy Warrior 1969 – ‘Housework: Slavery or a Labour of Love’ (Canvas)
• Silvia Federici 1975 – ‘Wages Against Housework’ (Canvas)
• Leeds Revolutionary Feminists 1981 – Love Your Enemy? The Debate Between Heterosexual Feminism and Political Lesbianism, available online at www.scribd.com/doc/82867540/Love-Your-Enemy-The-Debate-Between-Heterosexual-Feminism-and-Political-Lesbianism
• Feminist Review, 1984 No 17, Many Voices, One Chant: Black Feminist Perspectives (available via Library’s electronic journals)
• Chandra Tapalde Mohanty 1986 – ‘Under Western Eyes’ (Canvas)

Graduate Studies Notes:

Important dates and deadlines for graduate students are found here: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/current/important_dates/guidelines.html. The deadline to drop a course with a 100% refund is the end of week 2. The deadline to drop with no notation on your transcript is the end of week 3.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

TEACHING AT SFU IN FALL 2020

Teaching at SFU in fall 2020 will be conducted primarily through remote methods. There will be in-person course components in a few exceptional cases where this is fundamental to the educational goals of the course. Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).