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Academic Year 2004/2005

The Social Construction of Woman
SOC 280 FA
Crosslistings:
SISP 280
WMST 282

In this class we will examine the relationship between images of black, white and lesbian women within a changing historical context--from the 1930s to the 1990s. By locating these images in specific historical moments and exploring how they play off each other and change over time, we can begin to unpack how social, economic and political anxieties change over time; how these anxieties are represented, reproduced and undermined in popular discourses, social science research, cultural and political narratives and policy decisions; and how these anxieties contribute to the production of social and political realities as well as to the construction of gendered, raced and sexed ideologies and to women's lived experiences. While the relationship between images of women will be the primary focus, these images are, of necessity, closely linked and symbiotically related to others--to images of men, heterosexuality and the nuclear family.

MAJOR READINGS

Solinger, WAKE UP LITTLE SUSIE
May, HOMEWARD BOUND
Faderman, ODD GIRLS AND TWILIGHT LOVERS
Breines, YOUNG, WHITE AND MISERABLE
Lorde, ZAMI Evans, PERSONAL POLITICS
Echols, DARING TO BE BAD
Faludi, BACKLASH

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Weekly readings and journals, class participation, individual and group projects. No examinations. Two take-home papers based on life histories, located historically and analyzed sociologically.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

A prerequisite override form, secured from the Registrar's Office, will be available for SISP and WMST majors. Sophomores and non-majors will be considered during the Drop/Add period.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture/Discussion

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

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

Prerequisites: SOC151 OR SOC152 Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-21-2005

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