AWSS 490Z/590 RESEARCH SEMINAR IN WOMEN'S STUDIES SUNY Albany Monday, 5:45-8:35 PM HU 123 Fall 1992 Bonnie Spanier HU 117 Office Hours: Mon 1:30-2:30, Fri 10-11 or by appointment. 442-4220/1 Goals This seminar will explore the past, present, and future relationships among feminist theorizing, research, and social change. In the process, we will examine the development of women's studies (WS) as a discipline and its relationship to other academic disciplines. The class is based on feminist principles, including active contribution of everyone to a learning process that is both individual and collective. Respect for and appreciation of diversity, openness to exploring and analyzing ideas and information utilizing a constructive mesh of analytical, emotional, and political processes--these are some of the feminist ways of learning and knowing that I have in mind. My goals for students in the course include the following: -to appreciate some of the foundational works that have contributed to feminist re-visioning of "the Academy" and our knowledge of society and nature; -to explore the relationship among feminist research, theory, and social change; -to gain an in-depth understanding of women's studies as a discipline in its own right and in relation to other disciplines; -to develop skills of constructive analyses of "the Academy" and society, including feminism; -to research and write a long paper on a topic in WS. *************************** REQUIRED BOOKS --Note books on reserve (OR) under "Spanier WSS 490Z," REF means in Reference Section of Library. Charlotte Bunch, Passionate Politics: Feminist Theory in Action, Essays, 1968-1986 (NY: St. Martin's Press, 1987) Sandra Harding, ed., Feminism and Methodology: Social Science Issues (Bloomington and Indianapolis: Indiana University Press, 1987) Ruth Hubbard, The Politics of Women's Biology (New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers, 1990) Shulamit Reinharz, Feminist Methods in Social Research (NY;Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1992) Diana Scully, Understanding Sexual Violence: A Study of Convicted Rapists (Boston: Unwin Hyman, 1990) Xeroxed readings: First packet available Sept.14 in class. Second Packet (Xs): Available Sept.18 at Shipmates Stuyvesant Useful for Present and Future Research Needs: Chris Kramarae and Paula Treichler, A Feminist Dictionary (Boston: Pandora Press, 1985) REF Susan Searing, Introduction to Library Research in Women's Studies Boulder: Westview Press, 1985) REF Other books ordered in small numbers will be noted in class. *************************** ASSIGNMENTS--To be done on computer if at all possible. Students who do not know how to use a computer for word processing or do not have access to one are required to attend an instructional meeting, to be arranged in class. 1. Your autobiography in relation to feminism. Feminism is considered a critical stance, a standpoint, a historically specific social movement, and a process of making sense of the world. What does "feminism" (or "womanism" or "feminisms" or your term) mean to you: a) in your own life and b) in your view of society? Compare your current meaning with the range of definitions quoted in A Feminist Dictionary. How has your current perspective on women's issues developed? What or who has influenced your view of feminism? Be as specific as possible. 3-5 double-spaced typed pages. Due: Sept. 21. S/U 2. Critical analysis of Scully's Understanding Sexual Violence, using handout on "Suggestions for critical reading of articles." For class discussion. Optional: Make additions to or revisions of the "Suggestions" for next year's class. 4-6 ds pages. Due: October 12. A-E 3. Short essay on the impact of feminism on an academic discipline (preferably your field of concentration). Choose the field by Oct. 5. Feminism and an academic discipline. Draw from essays in the assigned books (and class discussion) and recommended and related books and articles. Consult and reference at least two for 490 and three for 590 (three is sufficient) essays on the specific subject (see review articles in Signs, DuBois et al., Feminist Scholarship: Kindling in the Groves of Academe, Spender, Men's Studies Modified, and Spanier et al., Toward a Balanced Curriculum; also, see Farnham, The Impact of Feminist Research in the Academy. See Appendix C in Searing for list of reviews in Signs.) You may want to work in interest groups outside of class to share readings and views. The purpose of this assignment is to read and synthesize three articles addressing the relationship of feminist perspectives to the particular academic discipline, other than WS, which you are most familiar with or interested in and then relate that to your concerns about the disciplines and ways of knowing. Discuss those aspects of concern to you about the impact of feminism on the discipline (including critiques of the discipline and changes effected by feminists). Discuss briefly how the field would have to change to truly incorporate feminist perspectives and women's experiences. 5-7 double-spaced pages. Due: Dec. 7. A-E 4. Research paper on a topic of your choice, with instructor's agreement. Fully referenced with endnotes or footnotes and bibliographic references using the reference style for NWSA Journal (see Handout) Graduate students may use the format of their field). Length: for 490, 10-15 and, for 590, 15-20 double-spaced pages of text. At least five sources must be consulted and referenced. Professor and at least one student will provide written constructive feedback to the draft paper. You will revise the draft, and hand in two copies of the final version of the paper (one is for the WS files) along with the first version (with professor's comments). Consult Writing Center for assistance. *************************** Schedule for research paper: October 12 Declare topic; discuss in class. Due: 1-2 ds typed pages defining the topic of your paper, the purpose and scope of the paper, and several possible reference sources. Assistance from librarians Deborah Curry and/or Judith Hudson at this time should allow you to identify and locate resources early on, since these are limiting factors in the development of your paper. November 2 Due: Updated description of your paper topic (2+ pages) and list of five (5) major references you have consulted. November 30 Due: First version of paper (as compared to first or second draft) with endnotes and references complete. One copy goes to professor; another copy goes to peer in class for feedback. December 7 Due: Written feedback from professor and reader(s)-- on content, organization, clarity, style, documentation, etc. Readers give a copy of their comments to professor. December 14 Due: Two copies of final version of paper (one for WS files, the other to be returned to you with feedback and grade) plus draft copy marked by Dr. Spanier. One copy and draft will be returned. NOTE: ABSOLUTE DEADLINE IS DEC. 18, 1PM in HU 117. PLEASE NOTE (490Z): This schedule is set out to avoid Incompletes. If you cannot meet the schedule, you must consult with the teacher. Incompletes will be arranged only for extraordinary circumstances. In addition to the green guide on library research in WS: In Searing's Library Research: Poke through to use as resource for library research on your paper. Note down specific questions for librarians about your topic. Note Appendix C for review essays in Signs (only up to 1985) for paper and also for assignment on impact of WS in the disciplines. *************************** GRADING AND EVALUATION Your final grade for this course is based on the following proportions: Critical analysis of Scully 20% WS impact on a discipline 20% Class participation, autobiography, and response paper 20% Research paper 40% The research paper is an absolute requirement for passing the course. The grade for the paper is based on the process as well as the final product: honing the topic to a do-able size, search for references, final draft, final version of paper. 490Z students must have paper in on time; an "incomplete" is not an option except under unusual circumstances. 490Z is an undergraduate Writing Intensive course required for the Women's Studies major. Therefore, I will give particular attention to providing constructive feedback on clarity and organization of writing in addition to the content. Further, you have one-two weeks to revise your major paper in light of feedback from me and at least one reader from the class. I usually propose one or more of the research papers for recognition at the Undergraduate Achievement Celebration of the College of Humanities and Fine Arts, a wonderful event which takes place in April. You may propose an alternative process and product fulfilling the purposes of the research paper (with instructor's approval). Consider constructing an original research investigation or community project for next semester and laying the groundwork with the research paper this semester. As a culminating course for undergraduates in Women's Studies, this is an opportunity to review what you have learned, how you may have changed from the time of your first course in WS, and what it means to you to be a pioneer in higher education. 590 is a graduate-level course offered as a "shared resource" with 490Z. Students are expected to do additional reading (in particular, Feminist Methods in Social Research) as well as critical analysis and writing on a graduate level. Schedule of Meetings and Assigned Reading Sept. 14 Syllabus. Introductions. Setting goals. Resources: former papers, journals, Women's Review of Books, etc., in HUM 122. Film of artist Lois Mailou Jones. Sept. 21 Meanings of "feminism" in light of autobiography assignment. Susan Griffin's concerns about ideology as dogma. History of Women's Studies in the U.S. Autobiography due. 7:30PM: Guest speaker, Winnie Peng, "Women's Movement in Taiwan" In A Feminist Dictionary (1985): "Words on a Feminist Dictionary." Peruse this book and consider its uses. Look up the following terms and compare: feminism, womanism, black feminism, lesbian feminism, women's liberation, women's lib, women's studies, Third World, Third World woman, androcentrism. Look up some of these terms in another dictionary. See assignment #1 on autobiography. The following articles are in the first packet of xeroxes, obtained from Dr. Spanier on Sept.14: Susan Griffin, "The Way of All Ideology" Betty Schmitz, "Integrating Women's Studies into the Curriculum" Marilyn Boxer, "For and About Women: The Theory and Practice of Women's Studies in the United States" Margaret Andersen, "Changing the Curriculum in Higher Education" Oct. 5 This week and next: Discussion of Scully in light of Harding's Introduction and Ladner's essay. What does feminist research contribute to feminist concerns? to society in general? What issues does feminist research raise for ways of knowing and systems of knowing (epistemology), for example, in relation to objectivity? How does feminist research contribute to understanding and combatting violence against women, children, and men? Harding, "Introduction: Is There a Feminist Method?" in F&M Joyce Ladner, "Introduction to Tomorrow's Tomorrow: The Black Woman in F&M Marcia Millman and Rosabeth Moss Kanter, "Introduction to Another Voice" in F&M Diana Scully, Understanding Sexual Violence, Chapters 1 and 2 (590) Dorothy Smith, "Women's Perspective as a Radical Critique of Sociology" in F&M Oct. 12 Continued discussion of Scully and relationship of research to methods and theory. Compare Harding's and Reinharz's take on feminist methods and research. Due: Critical analysis of Scully book, based on "Suggestions for critical reading of articles." Paper topics and starting sources due. Scully, Understanding Sexual Violence, rest of book. (esp. 590) Reinharz, FM in SR, Chapter 1, "Introduction," and Chapter 12, "Original Feminist Research Methods" [NOTE: On October 14, Peggy Reeves Sanday will speak at 12:15-1:30 at a Campus Forum and at 3-5 in a research lecture--on sexual harassment and gang rape on campuses.] Oct. 19 Feminism and psychology. More research issues. Gilligan, "Woman's Place in Man's Life Cycle" in F&M Sherif, "Bias in Psychology," in F&M Reinharz, Chapter 5, "Feminist Experiential Research" and Chapter 4, "Feminist Survey Research and Other Statistical Research Formats" Oct. 26 Activities and format to be announced. Kelly-Gadol, "The Social Relation of the Sexes" in F&M L. Rupp, "Eleanor Flexner's Century of Struggle" in 2nd Xs Reinharz, Chapter 7, "Feminist Oral History" and Chapter 8, "Feminist Content Analysis" Nov. 2 Researching all women. Due: Response paper (3-4 ds pages): comment on an aspect of this week's reading that you found important. Fine and Asch, "Introduction," from Women with Disabilities, Xs Hillyer, "Women and Disabilities" book reviews, Xs LaVrin, "Women in Latin America" Xs Bunch, "Introduction", "Dona Catalina De Erauso", "Not For Lesbians Only" (Rec'd) "Lesbian Feminist Theory", "Speaking Out, Reaching Out" Due: Update on paper topic and sources. [CELAC Conference: REDISCOVERING THE AMERICAS: WOMEN IN THE BUILDING OF THE NEW WORLD, Thursday, November 5, 9-4:30, CC Assembly Hall. No registration fee for Albany students or WSS and LACS faculty. Preregister by Oct.12.] Nov. 9 Race, gender, and work. Amott and Matthei, selection from Race, Gender, and Work Xs Deborah King, "Multiple Jeopardy, Multiple Consciousness: The Context of a Black Feminis Ideology" H (Signs, 1988) Xs Reinharz, Chapter 2, "Feminist Interview Research" Nov. 16 Gender ideology in the natural sciences. Guest speaker: Bonnie Spanier on feminist perspectives on cell and molecular biology. Hubbard, read pgs. 1-42, chap. 6 "Genes as Causes", chap. 8 "Human Nature" optional chap. 14 "Who Should inhabit the World and Who Should Not" Nov. 23 More on feminist research and methods. Reinharz, Chapter 10, "Feminist Action Research", Chapter 11,"Feminist Multiple Methods Research" Chapter 13, "Conclusion" Harding's "Conclusion: Epistemological Questions" in F&M Nov. 30 To be announced. DUE: Research Paper. No additional readings due. Dec. 7 Feminist theorizing, the law, and violence against women. Due: Feedback on peer's paper. Also due, impact of WS in a discipline. Catherine MacKinnon, "Feminism, Marxism, Method, and the State: An Agenda for Theory" Xs Catherine MacKinnon, "Feminism, Marxism, Method, and the State: Toward Feminist Jurisprudence" in F&M Bunch, "Strategy for Organizing Against Female Sexual Slavery" Dec. 14 Revised final papers due (2 copies plus marked draft). ABSOLUTE DEADLINE IS Dec. 18, 1PM in HU 117. Global feminism. Bunch, section on Global Feminism De Shazer, "From Outrage to Reconciliation" Xs La Vrin, "Women in Latin America" Xs