Gender Studies

Love and sexuality are principal ways that we create meaning in the world, but they are often neglected topics within philosophical discourse. This course will focus on philosophical questions pertaining to the formation of sexual identity, gender roles, heterosexuality, homosexuality, desire, and concepts of love. Throughout the quarter, we will familiarize ourselves with how major figures throughout the history of Western philosophy as well as contemporary philosophers approach these questions. We will also examine 21st century empirical research and first person accounts of experience (in the form of interview data gathered from college-age students). This course is unique in that it approaches philosophy as a practice. While students will become familiar with how authors respond to philosophical problems, it is hoped that the course will open up a space in which students can develop the ability to think critically about their own lived experience in light of the readings.

Throughout the history of western philosophy, femininity has been defined in bodily terms and closely connected to the ideal of beauty. A woman's worth has been tied to her physical appearance. The female body has long dominated thinking about women and thus exhibits power over the way that women see themselves; however, there are many counterexamples from the past and today of women who use their beauty and sexuality as expressions of power. This course will explore the way that women have contested or embraced concepts of feminine beauty. Guiding questions include: What does it mean to be a woman? What does it mean to have a female body? How do women 'perform' beauty? Is this performance a form of self-expression? Our investigation will be conducted through the lens of intersectionality; i.e., we will pay special attention to the ways in which gender, race, class, sexuality, etc. intersect to empower or disempower individuals or groups.

What is feminism and why do we still need it in the 21st century? This course will examine this question with particular emphasis on the issues that affect U.S. women in their day-to-day lives, including wage equity, balancing careers and family responsibilities, the politics of the body, race, and class.