Introduction to Women's Studies  -  WOST 201
Spring Semester - 2010
(Meeker's Home Page)

• Course Objectives and Overview:
• Course Policies:
•  Grading Scale and Percentages:
• Course Calendar
• Assignments:
• Participation:
• Application Papers/Guided Readings:
• Team Activism Project:
• Final Journey Paper:
• Exams:
   

• Course Objectives and Overview:

• WOST201- Introduction to Women’s Studies is the introductory level course to the Monmouth College’s Women’s Studies Minor.  Women’s Studies is an interdisciplinary field that analyses women’s roles, concerns, and contributions through various theoretical frameworks and disciplinary structures.  We will explore feminist scholarship and identify issues central to the study of women.  We will also explore how feminist scholarship addresses these issues.  Our goals are to critically question and investigate assumptions about gender constructions: to improve our analytical skills; to gain an understanding of how feminist theories and scholarship challenge and transform our culture; to understand, assess and situate human experience within feminist frameworks.

While the course material offers a broad view of the issues, we will still gain factual information from the readings and we will learn to apply those in examination, writing, and discussion.  We will explore women in the United States, women from other areas and countries and women with special abilities in an attempt to create an understanding of the diversity of women’s lives.  We will also explore the changing diversity of feminism(s).

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• Grading Scale and Percentages:
• I use the same system the registrar uses for grades in the course—the 4.0 system.  It looks like this: 4.0= A; 3.6= A-; 3.3=B+; 3.0= B; 2.6= B-; 2.3= C+; 2.0= C; 1.6=C-; 1.3= D+; 1.0= D; .6= D-. All grades whether % or points are figured into this final system.  Please feel free to visit me during office hours and/or e-mail me with questions about grades in the course.

• Class participation

• 15%

• Application Papers/Directed Reading Papers

• 30%

• Team Activism Project/ Presentation

• 15%

• Final "Journey" Paper

• 10%

• Exams (Midterm & Final)

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• 30%

•  Course Policies:

• Academic Honesty:  In order for an academic community to exist, members of the community must be able to trust the honesty and sincerity of communication between members.  The integrity of a college is grounded in academic honesty.  One form of academic dishonesty that can undermine this integrity is plagiarism, intentionally or unintentionally copying the words or ideas from another source without giving that source credit.  Students who plagiarize may fail the class.  Students who plagiarize will be reported to the Dean.
   

• Attendance: Participation in the course is essential and therefore attendance is crucial. In the event of illness or other mitigating circumstances, you are allowed to miss 3 class periods without penalty.  Each subsequent absence after 3 will result in a one-full letter grade reduction of your final grade.  For instance, a final grade of A would be reduced to B with four absences; C with five absences; etc.  I do not attempt to distinguish between “excused” and “unexcused” absences – it is assumed that when you miss class, you have a good reason for doing so.  Your three absences are to be used for the inevitable doctor’s visits, illnesses, sports events, court appointments, and funerals that may come up during the semester.  Extraordinary circumstances will be dealt with on a one-to-one basis as needed.
   

• Deadlines:  All written and/or oral assignments must be completed by their due date.  They also must be handed in in-class in order to receive full credit.  Late papers (those not turned in during the class time) in class) but on the date they are due will incur a sever grade reduction.  Papers will not be accepted after their due date except in the case of extenuating circumstances. 
   

• Discussion Guidelines: Debate, discussion, and disagreement on issues are encouraged in class.  In order for productive discussion to occur, respect for one another, our opinions and experiences are essential.  Generally, the most productive was to disagree with one another is to use “I statements” such as “I disagree with what you’ve said because…”.  Statements such as this foster a positive and safe classroom climate whereas accusatory statements such as “You’re wrong!” create defensiveness.  I expect you to interact productively and civilly in class discussions and group activities.  Civility does not eliminate healthy debate and/or appropriate humor nor is it meant to stifle or restrict expression of opposing viewpoints.  However, there are certain basic standards of classroom civility that are particularly conducive to the creation of a safe and productive classroom climate.  These include:

  1.     Displaying respect for both your professor and fellow students;

  2.     Attentiveness to and participation in class discussion, group activities, etc.

  3.     Avoidance of unnecessary disruptions during class such as private conversations, reading the newspaper, and doing work for other classes;

  4.     Avoidance of racist, sexist, homophobic, or other exclusionary language that alienates members of our campus and classroom communities.
   

• Reading Assignments:  The course is reading and writing intensive.  You are responsible for the information presented in class and for that found in the course readings.  We may not cover all of the assigned readings in class; however, you are still responsible for knowing that material.

   This syllabus is a contract.  By registering for and remaining in this class, you agree to abide by the guidelines that have been articulated in this document.

   You may contact me if you have any questions or concerns.  In general, the best way to get in touch with me is e-mail.  If office hours are not convenient for you, I will be more than happy to schedule a time that meets both our schedules.  You may contact me by office phone or e-mail for an appointment that is outside of the office hours listed above. 

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The success of this course depends on your presence and voice.  You are expected to arrive on time.  You are expected to have read the assigned material for that particular class period.  Be prepared with thoughtful and meaningful responses in discussion of the issues the readings address.  You are also expected to honor and keep the guidelines for classroom discussion (attached). I think that everyone has the ability to contribute to discussion at least 2 times a week.  I realize that some of you do not like to participate but participation is a good way to learn and in this class it is expected.  Those of you who have no problems participating may need to monitor your efforts to make room for those less likely to jump right into the conversation.

The class will also have various in-class assignments and activities for which you will receive credit. If you are absent from the class no credit will be assigned for that particular activity.  Make sure you are here so you can receive credit for these activities as these assignments cannot be made up. In addition I may ask you to complete homework or team assignments.  If it is apparent that the majority of students in the class are not completing assigned readings, I reserve the right to give quizzes (unannounced, of course).

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Application Papers/Directed Reading Papers:  

I will expect you to write frequent responses to the readings in the course.  These will generally be weekly 2-3 page papers where you critically reflect upon an issue or concept that we have discussed in class or that you have read in a required reading and/or video.  On some occasions, I will provide you with the topic in the form of questions or at other times I will ask you to consider your personal point in regards to a particular issue.  Sometimes, I will assign some questions along with the readings for the week and expect you to respond by writing an essay that answers the questions and , again, explores an issue.  These are called “Directed Reading” papers. These papers will ask you to personally engage with the material being presented and they are also used to encourage you to keep up with the assigned course reading.  Be prepared to periodically share you application papers orally in the class.  All papers and guided readings must be typed.

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Team Activism Project Presentation:

For this assignment you will work in a small group of no more than 5 students.  Your small group is to analyze an actual problem of concern to women and devise a plan to address this difficulty.  Each group will then present a plan of action to the class.  You must provide class members with handouts outlining the problem and the proposed solution.  Detailed instructions for this assignment will be provided in class.

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Exams (midterm and final):

There will be two exams in this class – a midterm and a final, each of which will count 15% of your final grade.  These will be essay exams (and perhaps some vocabulary). Along with the exam s you will also complete a final “Journey” paper. 

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Final “Journey”  Paper:

This paper will be a 5-6 page paper in which you will chronicle your journey through the material covered in WOST 201 and cite specific examples from the readings to explain your journey.  The purpose of this assignment is to get you to take a deep breath and figure out how what we have studied this semester has affected your understanding of women’s issues and your relationship to them.  What will you do with the information that you have learned?  How did you struggle with difficult issues of particular relevance to woman?  These are some questions that you may want to address in your paper but it is certainly not all that you will probably be able to articulate.  Your final paper is due on the last class period of this semester.

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