PHI 202/WOM 202 (Online)

Feminist Philosophy

Melissa Kozma

UW-Barron County

1800 College Drive

Rice Lake, WI 54868

(715) 234-8176 x5001
melissa.kozma@uwc.edu

Texts:              Saul, Jennifer Mather.  Feminism: Issues & Arguments (New York: Oxford University Press, 2003).

Additional readings available on course website.

Course Components:

Outline and Paper

You will be required to do one outline and one paper (that is, you will first do an outline of the paper) for this course. The outline will be worth 10%, and the paper worth 20% of your final course grade.

Exams

There will be two exams, each worth 15% of your final grade. The format of both exams will be short answer and essay.

Group/Individual Project

You will do one group project (or you may do it on your own, if you prefer) which will be worth 20% of your final grade.

Readings and Discussion Assignments

Last, but certainly not least, you will have weekly discussion assignments. These assignments will make up 20% of your final grade. Each week you will answer a specific question on the readings and course notes (you will find them posted under each unit).

Assessment:

A UW Colleges-wide assessment program has been put into place to enhance the quality and effectiveness of the curriculum, programs, and services of the institution.  The following areas of proficiency will be assessed because they are of primary importance in the education of our students: Analytical Skills, Quantitative Skills, Communication Skills, and Aesthetic Skills.  For more information, go to www.uwc.edu/resources/assess/

Readings & Assignments:

Unit 1: Introduction to Philosophy and Feminism (September 2-6)

Reading:  Feminism: Issues & Arguments: Introduction

• By Wednesday: Introductions Assignment Due.
• By Thursday: Initial Discussion Post Due.
• By Saturday: Responses to Discussion Posts Due.

Unit 2: Families, Work, and Gender (September 7-27)

Part 1 (September 7-13)

Reading:  Feminism: Chapter 1: The Politics of Work and Family

• By Tuesday: Initial Discussion Post Due.
• By Thursday: Responses to Discussion Posts Due.

Part 2 (September 14-20)

Readings:  "The Second Shift" (excerpt) by Arlie Hochschild (with Anne Machung)               "Welfare: Exploding the Stereotypes" by Rita Henley Jensen

• By Tuesday: Initial Discussion Post Due.
• By Thursday: Responses to Discussion Posts Due.

Part 3 (September 21-27)

Reading:  "Virtually Normal" by Andrew Sullivan

• By Tuesday: Initial Discussion Post Due.
• By Thursday: Responses to Discussion Posts Due.

Unit 3: The Issue of Sexual Harassment (September 28-October 4)

Reading:  Feminism: Chapter 2: Sexual Harassment

• By Tuesday: Initial Discussion Post Due.
• By Thursday: Responses to Discussion Posts Due.

Unit 4: Feminism and Pornography (October 5-11)

Reading:  Feminism: Chapter 3: Pornography

• By Tuesday: Initial Discussion Post Due.
• By Thursday: Responses to Discussion Posts Due.
• By Saturday: Outline Due.

Unit 5: Feminism and the Abortion Debates (October 12-18)

Reading:  Feminism: Chapter 4: Abortion

• By Tuesday: Initial Discussion Post Due.
• By Thursday: Responses to Discussion Posts Due.

Exam 1 (October 16-18)

Unit 6: The Feminine Body (October 19-November 1)

Part 1 (October 19-25)

Reading: Feminism: Chapter 5: Feminine Appearance

• By Tuesday: Initial Discussion Post Due.
• By Thursday: Responses to Discussion Posts Due.

Part 2 (October 26-November 1)

Readings:  "Foucault, Femininity, and the Modernization of Patriarchal Power" by Sandra Bartky                                                                                                                                 "A Hair Piece: Perspectives on the Intersection of Race and Gender" by Paulette M. Caldwell

• By Tuesday: Initial Discussion Post Due.
• By Thursday: Responses to Discussion Posts Due.

Unit 7: Sexist Language (November 2-8)

Reading:  Feminism: Chapter 6: Feminism and Language Change

• By Monday: Project Proposal Due.
• By Tuesday: Initial Discussion Post Due.
• By Thursday: Responses to Discussion Posts Due.

Unit 8: Women's Moral Thinking (November 9-15)

Reading:  Feminism: Chapter 7: Women's Different Voice

• By Thursday: Initial Discussion Post Due.
• By Thursday: Responses to Discussion Posts Due.
• By Friday: Paper Due.

Unit 9: Feminism and Multiculturalism (November 16-29)

Reading:  Feminism: Chapter 9: Feminism and Respect for Cultures

• By Tuesday (Nov. 18): Initial Discussion Post Due.
• By Tuesday (Nov. 25): Responses to Discussion Posts Due.

Unit 10: Group Projects and Review (November 30-December 13)

• By Wednesday (Dec. 3): Group (or Individual) Project Due.
• By Monday (Dec. 8): Comments on Others' Projects Due.
• By Tuesday (Dec. 9): Initial Discussion Post Due.
• By Thursday (Dec. 11): Responses to Discussion Posts Due.

Exam 2 (December 14-17)