WS 696: SEM: METHODS OF INQUIRY IN WOMEN'S STUDIES Dr. Janet Kohen Office: AH 3141 Phone: 46460 Hours: M 2:00-3:00 San Diego State University "By practicing the scientific method, scientists are believed to be detached from their personal motives (sic) and simply report the facts. Given this model of science, the idea that knowledge or reason could be gendered was nonsense." (N. Tuana. Preface. HYPATIA, 1988. Vol. 3, #1, P. 2.) OBJECTIVES * To examine and critique the traditional model of scientific method as accepted by the academic establishment. * To explore current paradigms of research methodology proposed by feminist scholars. * To analyze research as practiced by Women's Studies scientists. * To learn research skills and develop a specific research proposal justifying methods, process, and goals in a collective spirit. TEXTS Xeroxed readings available at K-B Books. Additional readings will be suggested in class sessions and will be available in the library. REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING 1. Students will lead two discussions on selected topics over the semester. An outline should be available to each class member covering the major issues for the topic and critical questions on the topic. The presentation should include library research and a bibliography. (First presentation February 4) 2. Non-presenters should be prepared to give a critical response for the presentations. 3. Presenting students must write a final paper for each class topic incorporating their research, the class response, and their analyses. (30% for each project; 60% of grade. Due two weeks after date of presentation.) 4. Each participant of the seminar is expected to develop a research proposal and discuss it throughout the semester. At the end of the semester you are expected to have a developed research project with justification for your research design (30% of grade). 5. Each student is expected to keep a journal which will cover the topics in the course, address their research project, and critically discuss and evaluate a selected research publication. A list of feminist research publications will be provided by the instructor (10% of grade). Dates Assignments Jan. 28 Introduction/Overview Feb. 4 Patriarchy and Methods Keller, E. "Spirit and reason at the birth of modern science." Reflections on Gender and Science, pp. 43-65. 1985. Fee, E. "Women's nature and scientific objectivity" in M. Lowe and R. Hubbard (eds.) Women's Nature and Rationalizations of Inequality, pp. 9-28. 1983. Halpin, Z.T. "Scientific objectivity and the concept of 'the other.'" Women Studies Int. Forum, V. 12, #3, 1989. Recommended: C. Merchant Death of Nature. 1980 H. Longino Science as Social Knowledge. 1990 Feb. 11 Non-Sexist Research Eichler, M. "Guidelines for non-sexist research." Ch. 7 in Eichler, Non-sexist Research Methods. 1988. Harding, S. "The method question." Hypatia, V. 2, #3, 1987. Grant, J. "I feel therefore I am." Women and Politics, V. 7, #3, 1987. Recommended: M. Eichler Non-Sexist Research Methods. 1988. S. Harding The Science Question in Feminism. 1986. Feb. 18 Feminist Methodology Proposals Smith, D. "Institutional ethography: A feminist research strategy." In D. Smith The Everyday World as Problematic. 1987. Mies, E. "Toward a methodology for feminist research." In Bowles and Klein (eds.) Theories of Women's Studies. 1983. Joseph, S. "Feminism, familism, self, and politics." In Altorki and Fauze El-Sohl (eds.) Arab Women in the Field. Recommended: M. Eichler "The relationship between sexist, non-sexist, women-centered and feminist research." Studies in Communication, V. 3, 1986. J. Cook and M. Fonow "Knowledge and women's interests." Sociological Inquiry, V. 56, #1, 1986. Feb. 25 Methods Objectivity/Subjectivity B. DuBois, "Passionate scholarship: Notes on values, knowing, and method in feminist social science." In G. Bowles and R. Klein (eds.) Theories of Women's Studies, 1983, pp. 105-116. F. Blau, "On the role of values in feminist scholarship." Signs, V. 6, #3, pp. 538-540. L. Stanley and S. Wise, "Back into the personal: Or our attempt to construct feminist research." In G. Bowles and R. Klein (eds.) Theories of Women's Studies, 1988, pp. 192-209. H. Hein, "Women and science: Fitting men to think about nature." International Journal of Women's Studies, V. 4, #4, pp. 369-377. E. Keller, "A world of difference." Ch. 9, Reflections on Gender and Science. 1985, pp. 158- 176. F. Blier, "Lab coat: Robe of innocence or Klansman's sheet?" In de Laurentis (ed.) Feminist Studies:Critical Studies, 1986. Mar. 4 Power in the Research Process R. Wallsgrove, "The masculine face of science." Brighton Women and Science Group (eds) Alice Through the Microscope. 1980, pp. 228-240. K. Addelson, "The man of professional wisdom." S. Harding and M. Hintikka (eds) Discovering Reality. 1983, pp. 165-186. Neb. Feminist Collective, "A feminist ethic for social science research." Women's Studies International Forum, V. 6, #5, pp. 535-544. S. Scott. "The personable and the powerful: Gender and status in sociological research." C. Bell and H. Roberts (eds) Social Researching, 1984, pp. 165-178. J. Ribbens. "Interviewing-An Unnatural Situation." Women Studies International Forum, V. 12, #6, 1989. Mar. 11 Concepts: Carving up the World M. Rosaldo. "The use and abuse of anthropology: Reflection on feminism and cross-cultural under- standing". Signs, V. 5, #3, pp. 389-417. J. Collier, M. Rosaldo, and S. Yanagisako. "Is there a family?" In B. Thorne and Yalom (eds) Rethinking the Family. 1982, pp. 25-39. J. Kelly-Godol. "The social relation of the sexes: Methodological implications of women's history." Signs, V. 1, #4, pp. 809-823. M. Mies. "Women's Studies: Science, violence and responsibility." Women's Studies International Forum, V. 13, #5, 1990. Mar. 18 Hearing Women's Voices I H. Graham, "Do her answers fit his questions? Woman and the survey method." In Gamariko et. al. (eds.) The Public and the Private, 1983, pp. 132- 146. A. Oakley. "Interviewing women: A contradiction in terms." Roberts (ed.) Doing Feminist Research, 1981. C. Russman. "When gender is not enough." Gender and Society, V. 1, #2, 1987. R. Edwards. "Connecting method and epistemology." Women's Studies International Forum. V.13,#5,1990. M. Devault. "Talking and listening from women's standpoint." Social Problems, V. 37, #1, 1990. Apr. 1 Hearing Women's Voices II M. Bovin, "The significance of the sex of the field worker for insights into the male and female worlds." C. Jacklin, "Methodological issues in the study of sex-related differences." B. Richardson and J. Weitenberg (eds) Sex Role Research, 1983, pp. 93- 100. K. Barry. "Biography and the search for women's subjectivity." Women's Studies International Forum, V. 12, #6, 1989. C. Smith-Rosenberg. "Writing history: Language, class, and gender." In T. de Laurentis (ed) Feminist Studies: Critical Studies. 1986 Recommended: C. Warren. Gender Issues in Field Research. Sage. 1988. Personal Narratives Group. Interpreting Women's Lives. Indiana University Press, 1989 Apr. 8 Interpretation and Gender S. Jackson and P. Rushton, "Victims and villains: Images of women in accounts of family violence." Women's Studies Intern'l Forum, V. 5, #1, pp. 17- 28. W. Arney. "Maternal-infant bonding: The politics of falling in love with your child." Feminist Studies, V. 6, #3, pp. 547-570. G. Bowles. "The uses of hermeneutics for feminist scholarship." Women's Studies Intern'l Forum, V. 7, #3, 1984, pp. 185-188. D. Patai. "Beyond defensiveness: Feminist research strategies." Women's Studies Intern'l Forum, V. 6, @2, pp. 177-189. K. Ferguson. "Interpretation and genealogy in feminism. Signs, V. 16, #2, 1991. Apr. 15 Research Process and Gender L. Holmstrom and A. Burgess. "How we did the research." Ch. 2, The Victim of Rape: Institutional Reactions. 1978, pp. 5-29. L. Light and N. Kleiber. "Interactive research in a feminist research setting." J. Acker, K. Barry, J. Eseveld. "Objectivity and truth: Problems in doing feminist research." Women's Studies Intern'l Forum, V. 6, #4, 1983. B. Dremer. "Learning to say no." Women's Studies Intern'l Forum, V. 13, #5, 1990. Apr. 22 Cooperation; Collectivity; Competition M. Lowe. "Cooperation and competition in science." International Journal of Women's Studies, V. 4, #3, pp. 362-368. E. Abel, et. al. "'They shared a laboratory together': Feminist collaboration in the academy." Women's Studies Intern'l Forum, V. 6, #2, 1983, pp. 165-168. H. Holter, H. Ve and H. Haavind. "Cooperation and conflict: A case study of a women's research network in Norway." Women's Studies Intern'l Forum, V. 8, #1, 1985, pp. 37-46. Apr. 29-- Present Research Proposals Students