WMST 2100.001 Women and Society

WMST 2100.001 Women and Society:

An Introduction to Women's Studies

TR 9:30 - 10:50 AM

ENV 190

The first problem for all of us, men and women, is not to learn, but to unlearn.

-Gloria Steinem

The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any.

-Alice Walker

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.

-Margaret Mead

Instructor: Kristin Alder, MA

Email:

Office: GAB 462

Office Hours: Tuesday 11 AM to 12 PM or by appointment

Course Description: This course is an introduction to critical thinking about the construction of gender and the ways in which sex, gender, race, class, and sexuality merge and manifest themselves in social, cultural, and political contexts. We will also examine the way these "borders" intersect with systems of privilege and systems of oppression to create the context of women's experiences. Hence, perspectives of a diverse group of writers, researchers, and activists will be presented. Topics for study include gender and socialization, women's health, body image, women and family, violence against women, women and the workplace, and visions for social change. The broad range and diversity of material covered is intended to strengthen your skills of critical observation, thinking, and analysis.

Course Goals: This course will focus on the following goals:

1. To describe the broad diversity of women's experiences.

2. To explore the concept of "gender" as a social construction

3. To introduce philosophical frameworks for a variety of feminist scholarship

4. To provide opportunities for students to develop skills in critical thinking, observation, analysis, communication, and self-awareness

Course Requirements:

Text: Women's Voices, Feminist Visions, 5th ed., by Susan Shaw and Janet Lee (New York: McGraw-Hill, 2012).

Additional items will be assigned and made available to students on Blackboard.

Classroom Policies

Regular and punctual attendance is required for all Women's Studies courses. Five absences will result in a failing grade (F) for the course. Excused absences will be given for university-authorized activities only. University policy requires that you provide your instructor with an official notification card issued by the university to explain your absence and to submit any makeup work while you were involved in university-authorized activities. All other absences will be considered unexcused. (For example, illness (even with a doctor's note,) is not excused. A death in the family is not excused.) Use your four "free" absences judiciously.

All students with two or fewer absences at the end of the semester will be given 10 bonus points. In addition, attendance may play a role in decisions about final grades should they be borderline.

If you are absent, please do notcontact me to see what you missed. I advise each of you to find within the first two weeks of class at least one study partner you trust who can gather handouts and/or take notes for you.

Punctuality is extremely important. Please be on time. Habitual tardiness or leaving class early may result in the accrual of absences. If you do arrive late or leave early, please be respectful of your classmates. Sleeping during class will accrue you an absence for the day.

The use of all electronic devices, including personal computers, is not allowed in this classroom. I know laptop computers facilitate note-taking, but they also impede discussion and can be distracting as well. Turn your cell phones off when you come in the classroom and put them away where they cannot be seen by me or you (this does not mean your lap); people using them in class will be dismissed and counted absent.

Class meetings will include a mixture of lectures, films, discussions, and other activities. Students are expected to read assignments prior to the class period, to listen to class presentations, and to participate meaningfully in discussions. We will be discussing very controversial and personal subjects and it is highly likely that your own system of beliefs will be challenged from time to time. You are under no obligation to agree with authors, other students, or the instructor. Rather, your obligation is to be respectful and to demonstrate comprehension and thoughtful consideration of perspectives you may not share. Critical thinking, a willingness to explore ideas, and respect for others are essential.

Also, expressing one's thoughts, ideas and opinions can be intimidating. As I've mentioned above, the topics themselves may at times make it hard for all of us to join discussions. One of my goals as your instructor is to create an environment where we can all not only meet our potential as communicators, but improve our abilities as well. Because of this, class participation is VERY important for the success of the class as a whole. Remember that what is important is not the quantity of your participation but the quality. Please ensure that all remarks thoughtfully engage the material.

Food and beverages are allowed in the classroom as long as they do not become the focus of your attention or distract those around you. Please dispose of your trash properly.

Email: This is my preferred method of communication. I will send all updates and course changes to you via your chosen email addresses. Class participants will be held accountable for any information missed by not checking their email.

When sending me an email, please place your course number, name and reason for emailing in the subject head.

For example:

WMST 2100.001 Taylor Smith. Question about Reading on Intersectionality.

All emails not addressed in this way will be assumed to be junk mail and deleted.

Grades:

Total points available in the course: 400

A=400 - 358

B=357 - 318

C=317 - 278

D= 277 - 238

F=237 and below

All assignments should be typed in 12 point font, double-spaced, with 1" margins, and using MLA-style bibliographic notation. I will not accept handwritten work.

Quizzes: 100 points

There will be six unannounced quizzes worth 20 points each. Each ten to fifteen minute quiz will consist of questions primarily in the multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, and/or true/false format. The quizzes will cover all material from readings, films, and lectures. The lowest quiz grade will be dropped.

Midterm Essay: 100 points

Thursday, March 20

You will write a personal reflection essay this semester over one of three topics to be provided. (Topics to be provided later.) While I expect the essay to be personal, it should also be well written and include cited examples from class discussion and readings.

Community Action Project: 200 points

In groups of 5 to 8, you will research, plan & implement a Community Action Project. This project is your opportunity to identify an important feminist-oriented issue on campus and work in a group on activist solutions to this project. Your grade will be made up of the following elements:

25 points -Situate Yourself Reflection Ex. (Individual)Due: Thur., February 13

15 points -Individual Proposal (Individual)Due: Tues., February 4

25 points -Group Proposal (Group)Due: Thur., February 27

10 points - Group In Class Check-ins (Group)Due: Tues.,Apr. 1 & Thur., Apr. 24

50 points -Individual Reflection Paper (Individual)Due: Thur.,May 1

60 points - Group Portfolio and Presentation (Grp & Indiv)Due: Thur., May 8

15 points -Project Evaluation (Individual)Due: Thur., May 8

On Tuesday, February 11 we will have a Community Action Project (CAP) workshop. During this class we will discuss the project in detail, brainstorm ideas, and pick groups and projects. You will spend the rest of the semester working in groups to complete the project.

Late Work: I do not accept late work. Ever. Never.There are noexceptions. Don't ask. Your assignment is either turned in in class when asked for or you receive a zero for the assignment.

NO EMAILS OF YOUR WORK WILL EVER BE ACCEPTED. Ever. Never. Don't ask.

No makeup quizzes will be given unless authorized by the University.

All that being said, if you run into difficulty during the semester, please contact me ASAP.

Extra Credit: Extra credit points will be offered at my discretion throughout the semester. All extra credit will be offered to the class as a whole. A list of preliminary opportunities will be provided on Blackboard by the second week of class.

University Policies:

Academic Dishonesty ( The University takes plagiarism and cheating very seriously. Plagiarized work will earn a zero for the assignment. Students will face action according to University guidelines for academic dishonesty. I reserve the right to submit any paper I suspect of plagiarism to Turnitit.com.

Academic Ethics: (http: Acts of academic dishonesty are subject to discipline at UNT. Cheating, plagiarism, and furnishing false or misleading information are acts of academic dishonesty. The definitions of these terms are clearly described in the Undergraduate Catalog ( and by the Center for Students Rights and Responsibilities.

Authorized Class Absence( All travel by students off campus for the purpose of participation in UNT sponsored activities must be authorized by the dean of the school or college of the sponsoring department. Within three days after the absence, students must obtain authorized absence cards from the dean of students for instructors.

Absence for Religious Holidays ( A student absent due to the observance of a religious holiday may take examinations/ complete assignments scheduled for the day(s) missed within a reasonable time after the absence. Class participants should notify the instructor via email of planned absences for religious holidays.

Disability Support Services( ODA Office in Sage Hall, Suite 167

University ODA Statement: “The University of North Texas makes reasonable academic accommodation for students with disabilities. Students seeking accommodation must first register with the Office of Disability Accommodation (ODA) to verify their eligibility. If a disability is verified, the ODA will provide you with an accommodation letter to be delivered to faculty to begin a private discussion regarding your specific needs in a course. You may request accommodations at any time, however, ODA notices of accommodation should be provided as early as possible in the semester to avoid any delay in implementation. Note that students must obtain a new letter of accommodation for every semester and must meet with each faculty member prior to implementation in each class. For additional information see the Office of Disability Accommodation website at . You may also contact them by phone at 940.565.4323.”

Drop Information: All information regarding deadlines for dropping or withdrawing this course can be found at:

Syllabus Information: This syllabus is tentative and subject to change at any point during the semester. If there are any policy changes (i.e. grading, attendance) during the semester, a new/ revised syllabus will be issued and given to all students. A copy of this syllabus will be on file in the department office (GAB 467). However, if you lose your personal copy, please refer to the copy on Blackboard.

Writing Lab:If you have any problems with your writing, please come see me for help or use our University Writing Lab (

Interested in a Women's Studies Minor?

Come to the Women's Studies office in the General Academic Building, Office 467, for more information or give us a call at 940-565-2098. For further information, go to

Class Schedule:

This schedule is tentative. As the instructor, I reserve the right to modify the reading or assignments. All changes will be announced in class and via email.

Students are responsible for reading all assigned material before class and should come prepared to discuss, question, and build on the assigned material.

WVFV denotes readings in the textbook, Women's Voices and Feminist Visions

BB denotes readings to be found on UNT's Blackboard

Tracking Your Grade