WOST 112

WOST 112: WOMEN IN SOCIETY
University of South Carolina
Women’s Studies Program
Spring 2005
MWF 9:05-9:55
Room 006 - Gambrell Hall

Instructor: Dr. Mary Baskin Waters
Office Phone: 803.748.9812
Office Hours: After class or by appointment

Required Texts:

1. Susan M. Shaw (2004) Women’s Voices, Feminist Visions Second Edition

2. Barbara Ehrenreich (2001) Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America

3. Lynn Weber (2001) Understanding Race, Class, Gender and Sexuality: A Conceptual Framework

4. Course Packet, Universal Copies, 1120 College Street

Course Objectives:

This course is designed to help you develop a command of conceptual frameworks for discussing and understanding the societal, cultural, and political systems that impact the lives of women and men today. You will be introduced to a variety of issues and perspectives through the course readings, videos, guest speakers, and class discussions. This class is discussion-based and I encourage everyone to express their ideas, thoughts, and opinions. Please be respectful of others at all times.

Expectations:

Attendance is mandatory. Only three absences will be allowed before your grade will be affected. Required work must be turned in on time. No make-up work will be accepted. No make-up exams will be given. Please arrive for class on time and be prepared to discuss the class assignments. Please turn off your cell phones or pagers.

Academic Honesty:

Code of Student Academic Responsibility: Plagiarism/Cheating will result in failure of this course in addition to the penalty exacted by the appropriate Academic Dean and the University Honor Council to whom all offenses will be reported.

Course Requirements:

Two Exams: 25% each (50% total)
Midterm: Monday, February 14 - Final Exam: April 29

Both exams will include a combination of the following formats:

Identification of Terms
Short Answer Questions
Essay Questions

Critical Review of Global Women: 15%

A three to five page double-spaced paper (Times New Roman, 12 pt. font) will incorporate an in-depth review of Ehrenreich’s book. Guidelines for this paper are in the class packet.

Class Exercise: (10 % total)

At the beginning of five randomly chosen classes, I will give you a situation, and/or questions to the reading assigned that day. You will have thirty minutes to respond and you will be able to use your textbooks and notes. Your analysis and responses should incorporate class discussions, course readings, and your personal experiences and knowledge. Only the top four highest grades will be counted.

Social Analysis exercise: 25%

Each student will have an opportunity to work with another student in presenting to the class a brief interpretation or analysis of a mass media image of women. Bring a book, magazine, art, music, or any popular genre that you choose to interpret the ways in which race, class, gender, and/or sexuality are used to depict women. Before you present, you will turn in a thorough, two-page minimum written interpretation of the components of your mass media image(s). You will have access to an overhead projector and a VHS video recorder.

**Grading Scale**
A	90-100
B+	87-89
B	80-86
C+	77-79
C	70-76
D+	67-69
D	60-66

Timeline:

1. Monday, January 10

Introduction to Women’s Studies

2. Wednesday, January 12

Chapter 1 – Women’s Studies: Perspectives and Practices, Women’s Voices and Visions

Chapter 1 – Defining Contested Concepts, Understanding Race, Class, Gender, and Sexuality: A Conceptual Framework

3. Friday, January 14:

Chapter 2 – Systems of Privilege and Inequality in Women’s Lives, Voices and Visions

Chapter 2 – Historical time Line of Indicators of Oppression, Conceptual Framework

Monday, January 17: MLK Day: No Class

4. Wednesday, January 19:

Continuation of Chapter 2 in both texts

5. Friday, January 21:

Chapter 3 – Learning Gender in a Diverse Society, Voices and Visions

Chapter 3 – The Story of Margaret Welch: A Case Study, Conceptual Framework

6. Monday, January 24:

Continuation of Chapter 3 in both texts

7. Wednesday, January 26:

Chapter 4 – Sex, Power and Intimacy, Voices and Visions

Chapter 4 – Themes: Historically and Geographically/Globally Contextual, Socially Constructed Power Relations, Conceptual Framework

8. Friday, January 28:

Continuation of Chapter 4 in both texts

9. Monday, January 31:

Chapter 5 – Themes: Macro Social Structure and Micro Social Psychological Levels, Simultaneously Expressed, Conceptual Framework

Chapter 5 – Inscribing Gender on the Body, Voice and Visions

10. Wednesday, February 2:

Continuation of Chapter 5 in both texts

11. Friday, February 4:

Chapter 6 – Health and Reproductive Rights, Voices and Visions

Chapter 6 – Theo Wilson and Lynn Johnson: Case Studies, Conceptual

12. Monday, February 7:

Continuation of Chapter 6 in both texts

13. Wednesday, February 9:

Chapter 7 – Family Systems, Family Lives, Voices and Visions

Chapter 7 – Education and the American Dream, Conceptual Framework

14. Friday, February 11:

Continuation of Chapter 7 in both texts

15. Monday, February 14: Midterm Exam

16. Wednesday, February 16:

Chapter 8 – Women’s Work Inside and Outside the Home, Voices and Visions

Chapter 8 – Themes: Historically and Geographically/Globally Contextual, Socially Constructed, Conceptual Framework

17. Friday, February 18

Continuation of Chapter 8 in both texts

Guest Speaker

18. Monday, February 21:

Chapter 9 – Women Confronting and Creating Culture, Voices and Visions

Chapter 9 – Themes: Power Relationships, Macro Social Structure and Micro Social Psychological Levels, Simultaneously Expressed, Conceptual Framework

**February 21: Last day to drop a course or withdraw without a grade of “WF”**

19. Wednesday, February 23:

Continuation of Chapter 9 in both texts

20. Friday, February 25:

Chapter 10 – Resisting Violence against Women, Voices and Visions

Chapter 10 – Envisioning Social Justice, Conceptual Framework

Women Studies Conference: Gender, Race and Liberation in the 21 st Century

21. Monday, February 28:

Global Women Critical Review Due

Continuation of Chapter 10 in both texts

22. Wednesday, March 2:

Chapter 11 – State, Law and Social Policy, Voices and Visions

23. Friday, March 4:

International Women

Spring Break: No Classes: March 7, 9, & 11

24. Monday, March 14:

Continuation of Chapter 11 – South Carolina Women

25. Wednesday, March 16:

Continuation of Chapter 11

26. Friday, March 18:

Guest Speaker

27. Monday, March 21:

Chapter 12 – Religion and Spirituality in Women’s Lives, Voices and Visions

28. Wednesday, March 23:

Chapter 13 – Activism, Change and Feminist Futures, Voices and Visions

29. Friday, March 25: