Time Schedule:
S. Charusheela
BIS 224
Bothell Campus
Introduces feminism as it developed over the last two centuries. Investigates theories of gender and power, including the sources of and solutions to gender inequality, and how gendered identities have been produced, questioned, and critiqued.
Class description
This introductory course provides an exploration of the key themes and approaches in contemporary Feminist/Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies. We will examine everything we know (or think we know) about women and men, and ask ourselves if we really know this (or simply assume these things to be true). We will ask ourselves whether we really know what we mean by ‘women’ and ‘men.’ Over the course of the quarter, we will learn about women’s and men’s roles and life experiences, and examine the ways in which gender interacts with other forms of social organization (e.g., sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, class, age, disability, nationality) in our society. We will learn about the varied strategies – personal, social, political, artistic – feminists and others have used to promote change and form the world we live in today.
Student learning goals
Develop facility with the approaches and vocabularies of contemporary scholarship in feminist/women's/gender/sexuality studies.
Demonstrate broad knowledge of the intersectionality of gender, sexuality, race, class, ethnicity, and nationality.
Develop a historical understanding of the growth and development of feminist movements and theories nationally and internationally.
Analyze gender roles and experiences from a historical, cultural and institutional perspective.
General method of instruction
The course will use a combination of lectures, videos, discussion, and writing
Recommended preparation
No background necessary, just a willingness to ask questions and critically engage with a variety of perspectives.
Class assignments and grading
Formal and informal written work, individual and collaborative class participation.
