WMST 100- Introduction to Women's Studies
Fall, 1991
Monday, Wednesday 2:00-3:15 P.M.
Academic IV-Room 014

Instructor:  Leslie A. Morgan  (MORGAN@UMBC or MORGAN@UMBC2.UMBC.EDU)
Office:      Administration 810
             (455-2074) or Messages (455-3979)
Office Hours:1:00-2:00,3:30-4:00 M.W. or By Appointment

Description:  This course focuses on the experiences of women and
the significance of gender in society, providing an
interdisciplinary perspective that is often ignored in traditional
scholarship.  Specific areas of investigation may include the
social construction of gender, women and work, the state,
patriarchy, and the role of women in society and in the family.
Particular attention will be paid to such factors as race,
ethnicity, and class to understand more fully women's roles across
cultures and over time.

Required Texts:
1)   Sapiro, Virginia  Women in American Society.  Mayfield (2nd
     Ed)
2)   Moraga, Cherie and Gloria Anzaldua (eds)  This Bridge Called
     My Back. Kitchen Table Press.
3)   Other photocopied material may be handed out in class.

Course Requirements/Expectations:
1.   Active and committed participation in class.  It is an
     assumption of this course that people learn best and help
     others learn when they participate.  Participation means
     asking questions, sharing experiences and challenging the
     ideas put forward by anyone in the classroom.  (20%)
2.   Three short (5-8) page papers on topics within the course.
     Topics may be suggested by students (should be submitted in
     writing for OK) or by material in the texts or from personal
     experience.  Ideally, the topic will reflect some material
     being covered in that third of the course.  The three should
     be on distinct topics for each student in the class, and
     differ from the final project. Topics should be approved
     verbally by the instructor. (15% each)
3.   A final project that can be completed individually or as part
     of a team (maximum of 3 team members;team projects will need
     to be qualitatively and quantitatively "bigger" than those
     completed by individuals).  Projects can involve:
     a)   Interview projects--interviewing women of different
          generations about particular issues relevant to the
          course, how things have changed during their lives, and
          their outlooks on being women.
     b)   Media analysis - Looking at television, music, movies or
          magazines in terms of their representations of women and
          men, the "messages" that are being sent to us via these
          media and their likely effects.
     c)   Other appropriate ideas suggested by students and
          approved ahead of time by the instructor as appropriate.

     In all cases, projects should take the information gathered by
     students and relate it to concepts and materials covered in
     the course.  Projects will be due the final day of classes.
     All students should plan to discuss their project ideas with
     the instructor during the semester to guarantee that they are
     on the "right track." (35%)

Weekly Reading Assignments/Paper Due Dates

September 4  Introduction
             (Film: Quilts in Women's Lives)

September 9  Sapiro Chapter 1 (Pp 15-40)
             Moraga and Anzaldua Pp xxi-19

September 16 Sapiro Chapter 2 (Pp 41-65)
             Moraga and Anzaldua Pp 23-34

September 23 Sapiro Chapter 3 (Pp 66-92)
             Moraga and Anzaldua Pp 46-57
             (Film: The Pinks and the Blues)

September 30 Sapiro Chapter 4 (Pp 93-121)
             Moraga and Anzaldua Pp 61-67, 79-90
             Paper #1 Due 9/30/91

October 7    Sapiro Chapter 5 (Pp 121-154)
             Moraga and Anzaldua Pp 105-112
             (Film: Doctor Woman)

October 14   Sapiro Chapter 6 (Pp 155-176)
             Moraga and Anzaldua Pp 128-147

October 21   Sapiro Chapter 7 (Pp 177-203)
             Moraga and Anzaldua Pp 148-159
             (Film: Killing Us Softly)
             Paper #2 Due 10/23/91

October 28   Sapiro Chapter 8 (Pp 204-234)
             Moraga and Anzaldua Pp 163-181
             (Film: Rate it X)

November 4   Sapiro Chapter 9 (Pp 235-269)
             Moraga and Anzaldua Pp 195-209

November 11  Sapiro Chapter 10 (Pp 270-307)
             Moraga and Anzaldua Pp 210-220
             (Film:  No Longer Silent)

November 18  Sapiro Chapter 11 (Pp 308-343)
             Moraga and Anzaldua Pp 238-245
             Paper #3 Due 11/18/91

November 25  Sapiro Chapter 12 (Pp 344-386)
             (Film: Women, Work and Babies)

December 2   Sapiro Chapter 13 (Pp 389-415)

December 9   Sapiro Chapter 14 (Pp 416-451)

             Final Projects Due 12/11/91