Women's Studies 225. 001 Images of Women Fall 2000 TT 9:40-11:10 Dempsey 318

Dr. Helen M. Bannan, Director, Women's Studies Phone: 424-0892 E-mail: bannan@uwosh.edu

Office: A/C 314 Hours: TT 8-9:30am and by appointment (call or email first—I am often there)

Women’s Studies as a discipline has insisted upon consideration of women, bodies and souls, as central and important. In this course, as in the field as a whole, we will examine how sexism has affected the lives of women through socially constructed, particularly mass media, images that prescribe behavior and limit self-actualization. We will also analyze how women belonging to different groups are depicted differently and investigate the effects of these different images. Throughout the course, we will both explore general social trends and validate the experiences of individual women. This course fulfills Social Science general ed credit, and is one of two courses specifically required for the Women’s Studies minor.

Throughout the course we will seek to:

1. learn about and respect both the similarities and differences among people;

2. stretch ourselves to analyze both our own experiences and those of women of other cultures, times and places in terms of concepts: gender, sexism, feminism, social construction, etc.; 3. understand the ways social scientists theorize gender and examine its effects in their research;

4. listen and speak thoughtfully, following ground rules regarding respect for self and others:

5. write as clearly and effectively as possible, being careful about both form and content Papers should be typed, spell-checked and carefully proofread, citing sources for all quotes and paraphrases;

6. read carefully and respond thoughtfully to reading assignments.

 This course emphasizes participatory learning. Every session will include discussion, and your thoughtful comments are necessary for all of us to learn as much as we can. In order for this class to be coherent, all of us must attend every class prepared, with daily assignments (reading, writing and PQC cards) completed before class. No exams are scheduled; your grade will be based on class participation, daily assignments, group presentations, and papers; in-class assignments not included on the syllabus may be added. The ground rules for class discussion, based upon principles of respect for self and others, must be followed throughout the course.

Attendance will be taken at every class. Just showing up is worth 1 point per session; arriving on time and remaining attentive throughout the class brings the total to two per class. Those who speak up earn an additional point; referring to reading or answering a question from the readings is worth one more. Disruptive behavior cancels all but the basic attendance point. These participation points (maximum 4 per class) cannot be made up except through extra credit assignments; those who have justifiable reasons for extended absences should discuss options to make up the work with the instructor. Your attendance and participation will definitely affect your final grade in this course.

Grading Policy:

Attendance and Participation: 100 points maximum (4 pts MAX per class)

Attendance: 1 point per class session , 1additional point for punctuality and attentiveness

Active Participation: maximum of 2 points per session for active, positive, prepared participation

Reading Responses: PQC Cards: 175 points maximum

For each reading assignment, each student will turn in on that day a 5 by 8inch index card, with your name in upper right hand corner, and the author and shortened title of the reading on the top line. If one day’s assignment included two or more articles, complete a PQC card for each . Each PQC card must contain:

POINT: a one or two sentence statement of the main point of this reading;

QUOTE or QUESTION: either copy a quote you found especially profound, or ask a question provoked by the reading.

COMMENT: Explain WHY you chose that quote or asked that question, and in one or two sentences, state your response to the article or chapter.

 PQC Cards turned in on the day of the assignment are worth 5 points each if checked as complete—less if something is missing or inadequately done. Check plus, for a particularly thoughtful response, adds 2 points. Cards will be accepted for ONLY 2 CLASS MEETINGS AFTER THE DUE DATE, with 1 less max point per class session late. NONE WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER DECEMBER 12.
 
 

5 Video Response Cards: 25 points minimum, 56 points maximum .

A variation of PQC cards, for in-class videos, with three differences: 1) Instead of a Quote or Question, you will discuss a particularly memorable Image or Idea presented in the video. As in PQC, you will identify the main Point of the video and add a Comment. 2) Video cards will be accepted for THREE class sessions AFTER the film is viewed in class, with no late penalty within that period, and no extensions after it; 3) You don’t have to do a card for every video. Over the course of the semester, you need to do 5; if you do more, they count as extra credit, to a maximum of 35 extra points. They will be graded the same way: check = 5 pts; check +: add 2 pts. NONE WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER DECEMBER 12.

4 Experiential Essays: 30 points minimum; 70 points maximum.

During the course of the semester, you will have many opportunities to write about how your personal experiences relate to the readings and issues discussed, as well as respond to special events that provide new insights into images of women. You need to ANALYZE your experience—explaining what occurred in terms of the concepts and themes discussed in class. You are required to do FOUR of these 2-3 page essays, for a maximum of 10 points each, (minimum of 7.5 points each if little analysis provided). Again, you can do more than four for extra credit, to a maximum of 30 extra credit points. Specific opportunities are outlined in the syllabus, but these can be turned in AT ANY TIME, ON ANY RELEVANT TOPIC during the course BEFORE THE LAST CLASS. NONE WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER DECEMBER 12.

Papers and Class Presentations: 110 points maximum; Points per assignment listed on daily schedule

Late papers lose one point per day beyond deadline; no rescheduling of presentations.

Ad Analysis: 20 pts. max. Bluest Eye: 25 pts. max TV Group Presentation: 30 max

Final Papers: 35 points max

Point Totals for Grading

A= 430-460 points A/B= 400-429 points B= 375-399 points B/C= 350-375 points

C= 325-349 points C/D= 300-324 points D= 275-299 points F=298 points or less

Required texts: Available at UW Oshkosh bookstore

Weitz, The Politics of Women’s Bodies (PWB) (1998)

The Guerrilla Girls’ Companion to the History of Western Art (GGC) (1998)

Morrison, The Bluest Eye (BE) (1970)

Brumberg, The Body Project (BP) (1997)
 
 

Sept. 7 Introduction to the course, to each other, and to the concept of images

Video: "Killing Us Softly III"

Sept. 12 Analysis of women’s images in magazine advertising: Kilbourne, Goffman

Bring to class: one issue of any magazine that includes advertising with pictures of women in it; before class: a) bookmark and count images that show varieties of women: by age, race, class, etc.

b) find the image that provokes you the most: best, worst, most typical, etc.

(You will be writing about it for a paper due Sept. 19.)
 
 

 Sept. 14 Gender Images as Social Constructions: Key concepts: gender, subjectivity, objectification, gaze

Read: Weitz, PWB, preface and 1-2; 2 PQC cards on 2 articles: Weitz pp. 3-11; Lorber pp.12-24.

Sept. 19 SPECIAL EVENT: CLASS OFF-CAMPUS, at Women and Poverty Conference:

Oshkosh Convention Center Downtown Keynote address, 10AM

To celebrate the relevance of Liberal Arts to community life, we will attend the opening session of the

Wisconsin Community Action Program’s conference on Women and Poverty in the Convention Center..

Experiential Essay opportunity: Write about your preconceived image of "women in poverty" and how it was or was not challenged by information gathered at the conference.

RESPONSE PAPER DUE: will be collected at the conference! Select ONE ad from a recent magazine, and analyze what it communicates ideas about women, commenting upon the visual images, the text, and the "gaze" of the viewer. 2-4 pages, plus attached ad. 20 POINTS MAXIMUM.

 Women’s Studies 225 Images of Women, Section 1 Fall 2000

Dr. Bannan’s class, 9:40-11:10 Change of Syllabus

When setting up my grade book over the weekend, I realized that I skipped a week on the syllabus—Oct. 15 and 17 disappeared. I apologize for the error, and have adapted our class schedule—I was wondering why it was harder for me to cover all the material I had expected!

Sept. 21: Professor Erin Tapley, Guest Lecture, Women Artists

READ: Guerrilla Girls book, begin, and bring to class

Sept. 26 Women in Western Art: from Reverence to Objectification

Read: GCC pp. 1-46 (1 PQC Card)

Evening: Experiential Essay Opportunities:

Participate in and write about Take Back the Night March .

8:30PM Rene Hicks, African American comedian, attend and analyze

Sept. 27 GUERRILLA GIRLS PERFORMANCE, 7-8 PM

Experiential Essay Opportunity: Analyze the impact of the performance and exhibit; comparing it with your response to the book.

Sept. 28 Great Women Artists: Why So Obscure?

READ: GGC pp. 47-91 (1 PQC Card)

Oct. 3 Images of Women in Music: Respect for Women? As artists? In lyrics?

Bring to class: CD or lyrics of a song, "your kind of music," that says something about women. Write 1 PQC card on the song and its relevance to this course. Oct. 5 Sexuality and Violence against Women in Media: MTV

Video: "Dreamworlds II"

Experiential Essay Opportunity: watch music videos for one hour or so, and compare what you see today with the points Jhally makes in the video. Is MTV still the adolescent male fantasy world?

Oct. 10: "MY FATHER’S WASP: Privilege and difference in today’s US

Oct. 12 Sexism and Racism intersect: Women of Color, Stereotypes, and Media Images

Read: hooks and Gillespie in Weitz, PWB, pp. 112-122; 184-188. (2 PQC cards)

Video segments: "A Question of Color"

Oct. 17 RESPONSE PAPER DUE: Toni Morrison, The Bluest Eye

Read entire book and afterword; answer one of questions distributed in class, in a 2-4 page paper 25 POINTS MAXIMUM

Oct. 19 Women on TV: Who are they, and what are they doing there?

Handouts on Susan Isaacs, "Brave Dames and Wimpettes"

Experiential Essay Opportunity: Identify a "brave dame" and a "wimpette" on tv today, and explain why you classified them as such. Or, compare images of women in a current tv show to an old rerun.

Oct. 24: back on track on original syllabus

Oct. 24 In-class media analysis methodology workshop:

quantitative content analysis; qualitative analysis of themes

Oct. 26 Preparation of group presentations: Each group will present a well-organized 15-minute quantitative and qualitative analysis of some specific aspect of women on TV today.

Each group member is responsible both for data gathering (submit individual content analysis sheets—each

person should be viewing something different) and for taking part in oral presentation. You may use the

VCR for a SHORT clip, but keep within 15 min. time limit. Develop a visual aid summarizing your data.

 Oct 31 Women on TV: PRESENTATIONS: 30 POINTS MAX (everyone in the group who presents and submits data sheet gets the same grade.) Submit overall outline of presentation, copy of visual aid, and bibliography of print or internet sources consulted. Experiential Essay Opportunity: Analyze how you experienced the process of group work or expound in greater depth on your segment of the group project, discussing the research process as well as results.

Nov 2 Effects of Images: The Female Body as Work of Art

Read: Bartky in Weitz, PWB, 24-45 (1 PQC card)

Experiential Essay Opportunity: What "disciplinary practices" that Bartky explains, have you practiced? Have these procedures produced a "docile body" for you, or do you interpret these procedures differently?

Nov. 7 In honor of Election Day: Reproductive Rights: The Female Body in Politics

Read: Petcheskey, Roberts, and Pollit in Weitz, PWB, 253-287. (3 PQC cards)

Video: "Leona’s Sister Gerry"
 
  Nov 9 Becoming a Woman: History of Menarche

Read: Brumberg, BP, Intro and pp. 1-55; Lee in Weitz, PWB, 82-99. (2 PQC cards)

Video: "Period Piece"

Experiential Essay Opportunity: Do you think there is or should be a puberty ritual for adolescent girls in contemporary America? How did you navigate this crucial period of adolescence? Which of the issues Brumberg discusses were particularly meaningful for you?

Nov. 14 "Female Problems": Medicalization of Women’s Bodies: Who benefits, and who suffers, from defining women’s natural functions as medical problems? Read: Reissman and Marlin, in Weitz, PWB, 46-66, 221-241. (2 PQC cards)

Nov 16 Focus on Externals: Skin, Size, Shape

Read: Brumberg, BP, 57-137 (1 PQC card on this section)

Video: "Mirror Mirror"

Nov. 21 Breasts: Questions of Perspective: Subjectivity/Objectification

Read: Young and Batt in Weitz, PWB, 125-146. (2 PQC cards)

Experiential Essay Opportunity: Relate your "breasted experience" to the American cultural obsession with breasts. Why do you think big breasts have become a symbol of female sexuality?.

Nov. 28 Female Sexuality and Social Control

Read: Brumberg, BP, 139-214; Christian-Smith in Weitz, PWB, 100-111. (2 PQC cards)

Video: "War Zone" (1998); clip from Middle School film on "Sexual Harassment"

Nov 30 Homophobia and Images of Lesbian Sexuality

Read: Cahn in Weitz, PWB, 67-81. (1 PQC card)

Video: "Forbidden Love"

Experiential Essay Opportunity: Discuss what you see as images of lesbians today: have the "comings out" of real and fictional stars enabled "ordinary" lesbians to be more open about their sexual orientation?

Dec. 5 Cosmetic Surgery as Self-Mutilation, Colonization or Morale Boost?

Read: Morgan and Kaw, in Weitz, PWB, 147-183. (2 PQC cards)

Dec. 7 Aging Women’s Bodies

Read: Dinnerstein & Weitz and Barbre, in Weitz, PWB, 189-203, 253-287. (2 PQC cards)

Experiential Essay Opportunity: When does "the body project" stop? What images of older women seem most prominent in our culture today? Do you have a role model for an ideal aging woman?

Dec. 12 Feminism and Women’s Studies: Gender Analysis of Present and Past, Vision for the Future

Video: Step by Step

LAST DAY FOR SUBMITTING ESSAYS, PQC AND VIDEO CARDS, EXTRA CREDITS, ETC.

Dec. 14 Final Essays Due: Analyze how a particular "mythic" female image or stereotype:

a) became prominent; b) distorts reality but affects "real women’s" lives;

      1. might be changed by new visions and/or activism.
In your essay, refer specifically to at least FOUR articles/books read for this course and at least TWO videos/events/presentations. You may use illustrations and outside research. BE CAREFUL TO FOOTNOTE SOURCES FOR ALL QUOTES OR PARAPHRASED MATERIALS. 5 Page maximum (not including notes). 35 points max.