Gen&WS 546: Feminist Theories and Masculinities

Explores central assumptions, questions, and debates regarding the relationship between feminist theory, pro-feminist theory, and the practice and performance of multiple masculinities. Explores feminist-informed definitions of and debates about masculinity including whether masculinity is primarily a gender-role and/or a form of sexual expression. Further, key tensions related to men's status, or their lack thereof, as subjects of feminist theory will be examined. Examine the practice and performance of specific masculinities including but not limited to African American masculinities, trans masculinities, and faith-informed masculinities.

File: GWS-546_2020_Spring_Lindsay.pdf

Gen&WS 547: Theorizing Intersectionality

The aim of this course is to critically examine important issues, questions, and debates regarding intersectionality or the notion that race, gender, and sexuality, and other terrains of difference gain meaning from each other. It is interdisciplinary in its approach. Course materials include texts, films, and other multimedia resources drawn from an array of disciplines including sociology, critical race theory, history, political theory, and cultural studies.

File: GenWS-547_Lindsay_Syllabus_Spring-2023.pdf

Gen&WS 810: Gender and Women’s Studies: The Emergence and Transformation of a Field

Provides an overview of the field of gender and women’s studies. Surveys the origin of the field and traces its major transformations. Explores and analyzes historical and contemporary debates that have shaped and continue to shape the field. Interrogates the mission of gender and women’s studies. Examines the processes and products of academic professionalization. Investigates the value of graduate training in gender and women’s studies. (TO BE FIRST TAUGHT IN 2023-2024 AND LATER)

File: GenWS-810-Syllabus_2020_Final.pdf

Gen&WS 830: Contemporary Theorizing in Gender & Women’s Studies

Examines assumptions and debates in contemporary theorizing about gender and women including what constitutes "good" gender and women studies' theorizing, how to recognize gender-based oppression when we see it, how gender, race, sexuality, and other hierarchies of power intersect, as well as the merits of transnational theorizing about gender and women. Explores whether gender and women's studies' theorizing is a form of activism, how to teach theory in gender and women's studies' classrooms, the value of cultivating distinct gender and women studies' methods, and other dimensions of putting gender and women's studies' theorizing into practice.

File: 830_Schalk_Syllabus_Spring-2022.pdf

Gen&WS 860: Pedagogy in Gender and Women’s Studies

Provides an introduction to theory, as well as hands on experience with pedagogical practices in Gender and Women’s Studies. Offers opportunities to synthesize and deepen understandings of gender-related issues through intensive reading, writing and discussion. Engages with theories, conceptual developments, debates, as well as epistemological and methodological issues, which chart the development of feminist pedagogical thought. Interrogates the different intellectual traditions that have shaped debates and issues within feminist politics and practices. Examines these traditions from an explicitly interdisciplinary perspective, highlighting contributions made by feminist scholars from different disciplinary backgrounds that include: education, anthropology, history, performance studies, arts, literature, health, etc. (TO BE FIRST TAUGHT IN 2023-2024 AND LATER)

File: GenWS-860_Syllabus_2020_Final.pdf