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Academic Year 2001/2002

Feminism and Political Theory
GOVT 394 FA
Crosslistings:
WMST 394

In the past 25 years, a body of feminist research in political theory, moral theory, developmental psychology, epistemology, and legal studies has emerged that challenges and reconceptualizes traditional Western notions of human identity and individual agency. In this course, we will examine some of those developments and their impact on political theory. In particular, we will consider feminist accounts of the formation of identities; the impact of gender-differentiated identities on moral reasoning an d political agency; the essentialist/anti-essentialist debate; the relationship between feminism and classical liberalism; feminism and radical democracy; feminism and the law; feminist theories of citizenship; and some contemporary critics of feminism. Throughout we will critically assess the strengths and weaknesses of arguments offered and consider the significance of those arguments for contemporary liberal democracy and American public life.

MAJOR READINGS

Simone de Beauvoir, THE SECOND SEX Diana Tietjens Meyers, ed., FEMINIST SOCIAL THOUGHT and FEMINISTS RETHINK THE SELF Linda J. Nicholson, ed., THE SECOND WAVE: A READER IN FEMINIST THEORY and FEMINISM/POSTMODERNISM Carol Gilligan, IN A DIFFERENT VOICE Susan Moller Okin, JUSTICE, GENDER AND THE FAMILY Seyla Benhabib, ed., DEMOCRACY AND DIFFERENCE Seyla Benhabib and Drucilla Cornell, eds., FEMINISM AS CRITIQUE Michel Foucault, THE FOUCAULT READER Catharine MacKinnon, FEMINISM UNMODIFIED Zillah Eisenstein, THE FEMALE BODY AND THE LAW

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

One five page paper in conjunction with a 20 minute class presentation; a 20-page term paper.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

Unless preregistered students attend the first class meeting or communicate directly with the instructor prior to the first class, they will be dropped from the class list. NOTE: Students must still submit a completed Drop/Add form to the Registrar's Office.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: SBS GOVT    Grading Mode: Graded   

Prerequisites: NONE Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-19-2002

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