Simone de Beauvoir
Professor Cynthia Freeland
Course Syllabus
This course is an advanced survey of recent developments in feminist theory and feminist philosophy, focusing on the unique nature of "theory" in feminist thought and on intersections between feminist philosophy and other developing disciplines within feminism. No philosophy background is assumed, but readings may be difficult and fairly long. The class will involve roughly 60% class discussion in small groups, and so grading will reflect the requirement of regular reading, writing, and group participation.
Marilyn Pearsall, Ed., Women and Values: Readings in Recent Feminist Philosophy (Wadsworth, 1993)
Patricia Williams, The Alchemy of Race and Rights: Diary of a Law Professor (Harvard, 1991)
Sandra Harding, Ed., The "Racial" Economy of Science (Indiana, 1993)) Luce Irigaray, This Sex Which Is Not One (Cornell, 1985)
Recommended Text:
Mary Mahowald, Ed., The Philosophy of Woman (Hackett, 1983)
The course will be organized into five units, roughly three weeks each:
Readings from Pearsall sections 1 and 4
Readings from Pearsall sections 3 and 8
Readings from Pearsall section 5 and Williams
Readings from Harding
Readings from Pearsall sections 2, 6, 7, and Irigaray
Work for this class will be graded on a curve based on a point system of 100 points:
Position Paper on the topic of Unit One (5-7 pages) 10
Take-Home Exam on Units Two and Three (10-14 pages) 20
Take-Home Exam on Units Four and Five (10-14 pages) 20
Reflection papers, two per unit (1 page, 3 pts. each, total =) 30
Class Participation and Attendance (4 pts. per unit, total =) 20
Visitors since 5 November, 1996