​This class serves as an initial intellectual investigation into the underlying theoretical frameworks (the “how” and the “why”) of gender issues and functions as a bridge to later advanced gender theory and methods courses.  Topics include interdisciplinary feminist and gender theories, including masculinity theory, queer theory, and other evolving frameworks. We will examine how modern and contemporary theorists have explained gender inequality, what political strategies they advocate, and how their thinking can be applied to analyze literary and popular texts. Please note that this course is an introduction to feminist and gender theory and not the circumstances that have given rise to feminist theory; we will begin with two assumptions: that women do not now enjoy equality with men, and that this is neither a natural nor a necessary state of affairs. Instructional strategies for the course will include reading and viewing assignments, followed by mini-lectures and online discussion on VoiceThread, unit quizzes, an ongoing group project, and several short papers.  This is a required core course for the Gender Studies Certificate and Gender Studies Minor.

 

For this course, I:

• researched pedagogy and praxis;
• chose textbook;
• completed online course design;
• composed curriculum, syllabus, and assignments;
• designed online class Blackboard site and activities;
• successfully completed the Quality Matters review process

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Syllabus

Sample Discussion Thread