WS 325 - PSYCHOLOGY OF WOMEN Oliva M. Espin, Ph.D. Fall 1993 San Diego State University Office: AH 3143 T.-Th. 9:30-10:45 am. Phone: 594-3739 Office hours: OEspin@sciences.sdsu.edu Th.8:00-9:00 am. Wed.4:00-5:00 pm. COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to acquaint participants with some of the most prominent psychological theories and issues relating to the psychology of women. Particular focus will be placed on the effect of the social context on the development of individual psychological characteristics (i.e. the social construction of intrapsychic phenomena). We will discuss traditional and contemporary feminist theories of women's psychology. Discussions will also include issues relevant to women's psychological development such as the interplay of race, class, culture, and gender; sexuality; mother-daughter and other relationships; violence against women; feminist approaches to psychotherapy. These issues will be approached from an international and multicultural perspective in order to develop an understanding of the commonalities and differences in the experiences of all women. TEXTS: (Required of all students) - Miller, J.B. (1986)(2nd. ed.). Towards a new psychology of women. Boston: Beacon Press. - Tavris, C. (1992). The mismeasure of woman. NY: Simon & Schuster. - Kaschak, E. (1992). Engendered lives: A new psychology of women's experiences. NY: Basic Books. (One of the following novels:) - Emecheta, B. The joy of motherhood. - Dangarembga, T. Nervous conditions. - Tan, A. The joy luck club. - Cisneros, S. The house on Mango street. - El Saadawi, N. Woman at point zero. REQUIREMENTS: 1. Attendance and participation in class activities. Once class membership is clearly established, a class list will be developed and each student will sign next to their name on the list during each class session. (10% of grade). 2. Evidence of having read materials by being able to participate actively in group discussions and class exercises throughout the semester. (5% of grade). 3. Participate in small group tasks and discussions and submit written materials required as part of this group participation. Each student will be assigned to three different discussion groups during the semester. The first group assignment will focus on Miller's book; the second group assignment will focus on Tavris's book; the third group assignment will focus on Kaschak's book. Discussion questions will be provided for each class session to ground the group discussion and written assignment. At the end of each book discussion, the group will summarize and draft their collaborative responses to all the questions. Each group will ask a volunteer to type a clean copy of the collaborative responses to be submitted to the instructor at the following class session. This volunteer will receive 2 additional points for this extra work. At the end of each group, all participants will be asked to turn in their individual answers to all questions and to evaluate their degree of participation and involvement in the development of the group project. (30% of grade). 4. Read one of the novels listed under TEXTS. Analyze the book you read on the basis of course readings, class lectures, and discussions. These novels provide first hand accounts of the experiences of women in different countries and illustrate the issues discussed in class. Students will be assigned a specific novel to insure an equal distribution of these books among class members. (Maximum: one page. Due: Thurs. Dec. 2). (15% of grade). 5. Prepare a short paper on one issue studied in the course focusing on how this issue is present in another country. Students will be assigned a country in alphabetical order and they will be expected to become "experts" on issues relevant to women in that country. If you have a particular interest in a country other than the one you were assigned, please discuss this with the instructor. In completing this assignment you may wish to consult: Morgan, R. (1984). Sisterhood is global. NY: Doubleday/ Anchor Books or any other information on your assigned country. However, make sure that you present your own analysis rather than just repeat what your sources say. (Maximum: 2 pages. Due: Tues. Dec. 7). (15% of grade). 6. Final examination: DECEMBER 16; 10:30-12:30. (25% of grade). EVALUATION: Because this course may be difficult for students not majoring in either Women's Studies or Psychology, you are offered a choice of the following grading options: To receive an A in this course: Above average work in all of the above requirements will have to be completed. To receive a B: Above average work for requirements 1, 2, 3, 5 & 6 will have to be completed. To receive a C: Above average work for requirements 1, 2, 3, & 6 will have to be completed. To receive Credit: Above average work for requirements 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 will have to be completed. Completing requirements at average or below average level will result in lowering your grade even if you have completed all requirements. IMPORTANT NOTES: 1. This course requires a great deal of reading. It is important that you do all of it. Your contributions to your group and your ability to respond adequately to the final exam questions and other assignments depends on your knowledge of the assigned readings. In other words, your grade for this course is based on your doing the reading and being able to analyze and interpret, NOT JUST REPEAT what you have read. 2. The class material will be presented through a combination of lectures, films, group discussion, and class activities. Because of the nature of the material your experiential involvement with it is an essential component of your learning. 3. COURSE ASSIGNMENTS WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED DURING CLASS TIME ON THE DESIGNATED DATES. STUDENTS WHO FAIL TO COMPLETE ASSIGNMENTS OR TO SUBMIT THEM ON TIME WILL HAVE THEIR GRADES LOWERED. 4. Please bring a ParSCORE SCANTRON Form #20 ERI (Blue Student Enrollment Sheet) on Tues., Sept. 7. Bring the form already completed with your name and student number on it. This form is essential to include you in the class list. CLASS SCHEDULE: T. 8/31 Introduction TH. 9/2 Sex, gender, biology, and culture T. 9/7 Women and psychology/History of the Psychology of Women TH. 9/9 A mental health agenda for women (i.e. issues relevant to women's psychology) T. 9/14 Introduction to Miller's book (Read Foreword) (Privilege and oppression as factors in psychological development) TH. 9/16 FIRST GROUP PROJECT STARTS: Miller, Part I, pp. 1-26 Miller, Part II, pp. 27-80 T. 9/21 Miller, Part III, pp. 81-142 Group writing/summarizing discussion of Miller's book (Submit typed summary on 9/28). TH. 9/23 T. 9/28 Women and relationships TH. 9/30 Violence against women T. 10/5 TH.10/7 Commonalities and differences in women's experiences Films: The year of the woman & T. 10/12 Women's sexuality TH.10/14 Introduction to Tavris's book (Read Introduction) T. 10/19 SECOND GROUP PROJECT STARTS: Tavris, Ch. 1 & Ch. 2, pp. 27-92 TH.10/21 Tavris, Ch. 3 & Ch. 4, pp. 93-169 T. 10/26 Tavris, Ch. 5 & Ch. 6, pp. 170-245 TH.10/28 Tavris, Ch. 7 & Ch. 8, pp. 246-334 Group writing/summarizing discussion of Tavris's book (Submit typed summary on 11/2) T. 11/2 TH.11/4 Theories of women's psychological development: traditional and feminist T. 11/9 THIRD GROUP PROJECT STARTS Introduction to Kaschak book (Read Introduction) TH.11/11 Kaschak, Ch.1, Ch. 2 & Ch. 3, pp. 9-88 T. 11/16 Kaschak, Ch. 4, Ch. 5 & Ch. 6, pp.89-147 TH.11/18 Kaschak, Ch. 7 & Ch. 8, pp. 148-189 T. 11/23 Kaschak, Ch. 9 & 10, pp. 190-225 Group writing/summarizing discussion of Kaschak (Submit typed summary on 11/30) TH. 11/25 THANKSGIVING T. 11/30 Women and therapy TH.12/2 Discussion of information provided by novels T. 12/7 Commonalities and differences in the experiences of women: The construction of women's psychology TH.12/9 Summary and evaluation of course TH.12/16 FINAL EXAMINATION (10:30-12:30)