Capstone in Women's Studies WS 410

TITLE OF COURSE AND COURSE NUMBER: Capstone Course in Women's Studies
WS 410

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This senior level focuses on theories of gender and issues relating to women's diversity. Students complete a major research project in order to become knowledgeable about feminist research.

COURSE PREREQUISITES:
WS 210, POL 272, and WS 310

COURSE OBJECTIVES:
This course will:

• analyze patriarchal structures
• probe classism as it plays out in the lives of people
• explore power issues in the lives of women
• identify diverse women writers in the global community
• provide a bibliography of international women writers
• introduce the collected essays of a significant feminist
• teach more advanced feminist research skills including the use of data bases
• review research paper writing skills
• encourage oral presentations
• mentor students into leadership roles

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students will:

• read an international feminist novel addressing patriarchal issues and will write an analytical paper
• read an autobiographical book focusing on the issue of class and will journal responses
• exhibit an awareness of women's power issues by critiquing interviews with "women of power"
• show knowledge of women's experiences in a country other than the U.S. by writing a book report and presenting orally to the class
• use critical thinking skills to explore and write about issues addressed by a feminist writer
• exhibit knowledge of research skills by participating in a research workshop and developing a bibliography for a research paper
• provide evidence of competent research paper writing skills by writing a lengthy research paper
• practice oral presentation skills by presenting their research to the class
  exhibit their ability to lead a class by preparing classes and facilitating class discussions on a rotating

TOPICAL OUTLINE FOR COURSE CONTENT:

Week One: Course overview, introductions and personal statements
Week Two: Feminist theory
Week Three: Library research workshop
Week Four: International novel
Week Five: Focus on feminism in a country other than the U.S.
Week Six: Intersection of classism, racism, and sexism
Week Seven: Ethnic memoirs and research bibliography
Week Eight: Oral presentations on selected international novels or autobiographies
Week Nine: Sexuality theories and personal writings: lesbians, bisexuals, heterosexuals, asexuals, queers, and others
Week Ten: Research paper draft workshop
Week Eleven: Latinas, African Americans, Asian Americans, and Native Americans on gender theories
Week Twelve: Global perspectives on violence against women
Week Thirteen: Interdisciplinary Women's Studies reviews
Week Fourteen: Women and economics: a global perspective
Week Fifteen: Feminist activism
Week Sixteen: Research presentations

SUGGESTED TEACHING METHODS AND STUDENT LEARNING ACTIVITIES:

• Lectures
• Small group discussions
• Plenary discussions
• Films
• Guest speakers
• Journals/logs
• Essays
• Research papers
• Book reports
• Oral presentations
• Current events
• Group projects
• Individual projects

GUIDELINES/SUGGESTIONS FOR METHODS OF STUDENT ASSESSMENT:

• Students can write journals or logs with references to readings, thoughts about research projects, comments on a growing awareness about what it means to be a feminist ,as well as other thoughts are appropriate. This requirement could count for 25% of the grade.
• Each student can select a novel or autobiography by an international woman writer and write a five-page summary/reaction paper. This requirement could count for 20% of the grade.
• Students can write a scholarly feminist research paper. Papers canbe 20-25 pages in length. Sources should include feminist journals, books, and Internet sources. This requirement could count for 55% of the grade.
• Students who miss more than 2-3 (instructor's decision) 75-minute classes will receive a grade penalty.

SUGGESTED READINGS, TEXTS, OBJECTS OF STUDY:

"The Laugh of the Medusa," Helene Cixous
Cuentos: Stories by Latinas, edited by Alma Gomez, Cherrie Moraga, and Mariana Romo-Carmona
Where We Stand: Class Matters, bell hooks
Frontline Feminism, 1975-1995: Essays from SOJOURNER'S First 20 Years, edited by Karen Kahn
The Knowledge Explosion: Generations of Feminist Scholarship, edited by Cheris Kramarae and Dale Spender
The Silent Duchess, Dacia Maraini
Patriarchy and Accumulation on a World Scale: Women in the International Division of Labor, by Maria Mies
Visionary Voices: Women on Power: Conversations With Shamans, Activists, Teachers, Artists and Healers, Interviews by Penny Rosenwasser
The Truth That Never Hurts: Writings on Race, Gender, and Freedom, Barbara Smith
Gender in Third World Politics, by Georgina Waylen

FILMS:
After the Montreal Massacre
The Best Time of My Life
Calling the Ghosts
Choice for a Chinese Woman: Enlightenment in a Buddhist Convent
Cut Sleeves: Lesbians and Gays of Asian/Pacific Ancestry
Faith Ringgold: The Last Story Quilt
Goddess Remembered
Rigoberta Menchu: Broken Silence
A Room of One's Own
Salt of the Earth
Sewing Women
The Way Home
Tongues Untied
Warrior Marks
Who's Counting? Marilyn Waring on Sex, Lies and Global Economics
A Woman's Place: Short Stories
Women With Open Eyes

BIBLIOGRPAHY OF SUPPORTIVE TEXTS AND OTHER MATERIALS:
Attached

PREPARER'S NAME AND DATE: Arlene Holpp Scala, August 2000

ORIGINAL DEPARTMENTAL APPROVAL DATE: 1997

REVISER'S NAME AND DATE: Arlene Holpp Scala, August 2000

DEPARTMENTAL REVISION APPROVAL DATE: September 2000