WOMEN AND PUBLIC POLICY



WOMEN & POLITICS

GOVT 482 & 682*

Mondays, 5:30 – 8:00 pm

Professor Barbara Palmer

Phone: 885-6263 Office: Ward 247 Email: bpalmer@american.edu

Office Hours: Mondays 3:30 – 5:00 and Thursdays 3:30 – 4:30

This course is intended to be a survey of women and the role of gender in politics. You are going to be learning a little bit about a lot of different topics by participating in class discussions and simulations, doing your own research on topics of your choice, and meeting with policy makers.

*GOVT 682 has an additional syllabus and course requirements.

SEMINAR GOALS: By the end of the semester, you will have accomplished the following:

1. You will read at least one thing that moves you in some way: inspires you, blows your mind, makes you angry, or makes you cry.

2. You will learn practical information that you will use at some point in your life, in addition to developing combine theory and practical politics to develop your analytical skills.

3. Former students call this fourth goal, “Noticing things.” You will see ordinary, everyday things from a new perspective. Or you might notice something you took for granted and ask yourself why things are they way they are. This is probably the most important thing you will learn.

REQUIRED TEXTS:

Egalia’s Daughters, by Gerd Brantenberg

Breaking the Political Glass Ceiling, by Barbara Palmer

The assigned reading load for this class is relatively light, because I expect you to do it. The success of this class depends on you doing the reading. Many of our classes will be based on a discussion of the assigned readings.

A NOTE ON OFFICE HOURS: Please feel free to email me anytime. I usually respond within 24 hours. I’m happy to make an appointment with you anytime if these office hours are not convenient for you.

GRADED ASSIGNMENTS:

1. Participation and Short Assignments. 10% of your grade. The key to success in the class is doing the reading, showing up, and engaging in discussion. Attendance will be taken on the days we have speakers and on a few other important days. On the days when attendance is required, if you are absent, 2% will be deducted from your grade. In addition, at the beginning of the semester, there will be 2 “sign-up” days, when you will be responsible for being discussion leaders. If attendance and participation starts slipping, I reserve the right to start taking attendance everyday. Short assignments will include an essay on Egalia’s Daughters (see later in the syllabus for instructions) and a few other exercises that will aid in our class discussions.

2. Women and the Media Analysis. 20% of your grade. You will watch 2.5 hours of news and write a short paper on how gender plays out in the media.

3. Campaign Analysis. 25% of your grade. This will involve doing an analysis of how gender affects the strategy, message, fund raising, and communication of 2 candidates of your choice who ran for House last year.

4. Supreme Court case. 15% of your grade. You will be writing a Supreme Court majority and

dissenting opinion, deciding the constitutionality of the Unborn Victims of Violence Act.

5. FINAL EXAM PAPER: POLICY MEMO (30% of your grade total)

Write an 8-page paper on an issue or policy of your choice. DUE DATE: Monday, May 7, 5:30 – 8:00.

Paper requirements:

1. You must have a clear thesis. Be sure to pick a topic that is relatively narrow.

YOU MUST HAVE A TOPIC AND THESIS BY MONDAY, FEB 19

2. You must interview at least one person on your topic.

YOUR INTERVIEW MUST BE COMPLETED BY MONDAY, APRIL 9

3. Your paper must include the following:

a. Relevant background information (2 pages)

b. Pick 3 different feminisms and provide an analysis of your issue for each; what would a liberal/difference/radical/stand-point/or post-feminist say about your issue? Provide 1 – 2 pages of analysis for each feminism.

c. Which feminism do you think is the most informative for your issue or offers the best solution? Or do you advocate a completely different approach to understanding or solving your issue/policy? In other words, what do you think needs to be done, and how does feminism inform your answer?

d. Reference List. In addition to your interview, you must cite at least 3 relevant assigned readings, and at least 3 additional hard academic sources (i.e. not a website). You are then free to have as many other sources as you need (i.e. websites, newspaper articles, etc…).

CLASS POLICIES

(OR HOW TO HAVE A SUCCUSSFUL SEMESTER)

What follows is a list of class rules and will help you avoid things that annoy me. Memorize this.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY CODE: Standards of academic conduct are set forth in the University=s Academic Integrity Code. It is expected that all exams, tests, written papers, and other assignments will be done in accordance to the standards set in this code. By registering with this university, you are acknowledging your awareness of this Code and are obligated to become familiar with your rights and responsibilities as defined by the Code. Students who violate the Code will be prosecuted to the fullest extend allowed by the university. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. This course requires a great deal of writing. If you borrow an author=s exact words or text from a case, you must use quotation marks and provide the proper citation. If you paraphrase, you must provide proper citation. If you are summarizing, you must be sure to attribute it to the proper source. I will not accept written assignments unless I see proper citations. The bottom line is: if you are knowingly and directly borrowing somebody else’s words and ideas, you must give them credit. THIS IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT GIVEN THAT YOU ARE EXPECTED TO CITE AND DRAW FROM CASES. The penalty for plagiarism in this class is a failing grade. We will have a class session on how to cite cases.

GRADE COMPLAINTS: I will provide you with as much assistance and I can BEFORE assignments are due; I am happy to answer questions and look at drafts of assignments and papers, provided you give me enough time to look at them before they are due. Be forewarned: the odds of your grade significantly changing for the better after I have already finished grading are slim. If you do have a complaint specifically about a grade you received, you must write a clear statement (a paragraph) explaining basis for your complaint. This provides us a basis for discussion and gives you the best possible advantage in making your case. I am especially irritated by people who complain about an A-. I cannot look at emailed drafts of assignments or papers, especially those emailed as attachments. If you have a draft, please print it out and come see me in my office – in fact, you are encouraged to do so. Feel free, however, to email me a paragraph, an outline, or any questions you have at any time.

PAPER FORMATS:

A. Everything you turn into me MUST BE STAPLED. A stapler is a good investment – it lasts a lifetime.

B. Everything you turn into me must have page numbers.

D. Everything you turn into me must be printed single-sided, 12 point font, with 1” margins.

LATE PAPER POLICY: Papers turned in late will be docked one full letter grade for each day they are late. Papers or projects I do not have in my possession – i.e. a paper copy in my office by 5 pm -- on the day they are due will be considered one day late. I do not accept emailed papers. If any exceptions to this policy are to be considered, you must contact me 24 hours ahead of the due date, and the excuse must involve some kind of hospitalization that will be verified. Mechanical malfunctions and computer problems are not a valid excuse.

LAPTOPS: are not allowed under any circumstances.

CELL PHONES: If your cell phone rings during class, I get to answer it.

VIDEO/AUDIO TAPING: is not allowed.

INCOMPLETES: will not be given under any circumstances unless you contact me at least 2 weeks before the final class meeting and you have at least a passing grade on at least half of the course assignments. Do not assume I will just give you an incomplete.

GRADING DISTRIBUTION

I do not use “curves” in any of my classes. My classes are too small to get a “normal distribution,” and students are typically doing some group work that also tends to skew the distribution. In addition, I do not have a predetermined formula that dictates that only a certain number of students will get A=s or that a certain number will get F=s, etc.

The following distribution is applied to all students on all written work, assignments, and exams:

94% & up = A = EXCELLENT. Did more than follow directions and provides clearly articulated,

90% - 93% = A- logical, and well-developed analysis

87% - 89% = B+

84% - 86% = B = VERY GOOD/ABOVE AVERAGE. Followed directions and has at least the

80% - 83% = B- beginnings of some analysis.

77% - 79% = C+

74% - 76% = C = AVERAGE. Followed directions and minimally met expectations.

70% - 73% = C-

67% - 69% = D+

64% - 66% = D = BELOW AVERAGE. Did not follow directions. Has factual errors. No application

60% - 63% = D- or analysis. Parts of assignment are missing.

59% & below = F

When calculating final grades, I do Around-up@ if students are within .5% of the next highest grade. For example, if a student receives a 76.5%, this would be rounded to 77%.

CHECKLIST FOR DOING WELL ON WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS

1. Do not procrastinate!!! These are not assignments that you can save until the night before and expect to do well. PLAN AHEAD. AND READ THE DIRECTIONS!!

2. In almost every case, you are writing an argument. There is no right or wrong side, but it is possible to have a bad argument. It is up to you to DEVELOP A LOGICAL ARGUMENT for your paper.

3. You must properly cite all sources in the body of your paper.

4. MY PET PEEVES: Always write out contractions (don’t = do not). The Supreme Court is always capitalized. The Constitution is always capitalized, constitutional is not. Avoid first and second person pronouns whenever possible (there are a few exceptions to this).

5. FOR ALL WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS: Include a title page with your name on it and the title of the assignment and the date – this should be the only place your name appears. You must number your pages. The body of your paper should have one inch margins at the top, bottom, left and right. Do not use anything larger than a 12 point font. Trust me: I notice when you have made the font really big and have altered the margins to make your paper look longer.

6. LENGTH: On shorter assignments, if you are over or under a paragraph or so, this is no big deal. On longer assignments, over or under a page or so is no big deal. Note, however, that writing a substantially longer paper than you are required does NOT get you extra credit or any sort of extra compensation – I do not give A’s for effort. What this usually means, 9 times out of 10, is that you have lots of junk in your paper that is irrelevant.

7. PROOFREAD, PROOFREAD AND PROOFREAD AGAIN. Read your paper aloud – no kidding!!

ALL PAPERS WILL BE GRADED BASED ON THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA

(in addition to other criteria specific to each topic and assignment):

1. Did you follow the directions? If you did not even follow the directions (this includes the length), a C- should be seen as extraordinarily generous.

2. Is there a clear argument?

3. Is the argument backed up with appropriate evidence and analysis?

4. Does the overall organization contribute to the clarity of the argument? Is each paragraph organized?

SHORT ASSIGNMENT #1: EGALIA’S DAUGHTERS

NOTE: This book comes with at PG-13 rating. There is sexually explicit material and scenes of sexual assault.

DUE: Monday, Feb 12

4% of your Short Assignment grade

Write a 4-page paper answering the following questions:

1. What do you think the author’s purpose was in writing about the mythical land of Egalia? What is her most interesting or significant intention? Be sure to use examples from the text to back up your thesis regarding the author’s purpose.

2. Discuss two elements of Egalian society and how they expose or uncover sex-role socialization and gender roles in American society. Your two elements of Egalian society can be literally anything, such as the political and economic systems, homosexuality, rape, expectations regarding beauty, personal hygiene, language, or something narrower like the use of make-up, particular articles of clothing, the relationships between specific family members, and particular social events like parties or birthdays. In comparing and contrasting these two elements of Egalian society to these two elements in American society, what can we learn about sex-role socialization and gender roles in American society from this book?

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WARNING #1: AT SOME POINT IN OUR SEMINARS, YOU WILL BE READING AND DISCUSSING MATERIAL ABOUT CONTROVERSIAL TOPICS AND PARTICIPATING IN VERY POLITICAL AND HEATED DEBATES. You do not have to agree with these readings, me, our speakers or anyone else in the class. In fact, I encourage you to disagree with the readings, me or anyone else in the class. To foster this, it is everyone=s responsibility to create an environment of respect and professionalism. Everyone, particularly speakers, is to be treated with respect at all times – especially the people you most vehemently disagree with. The number one rule is not to make personal attacks and not to take attacks personally.

The topics we will be covering include sexual harassment, domestic violence, and sexual assault. If for any reason, you do not feel you can participate in these discussions, please let me know ahead of time and we can make alternative arrangements.

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COURSE SCHEDULE

Please be aware that this schedule is subject to change. ALWAYS CHECK THE BLACKBOARD PAGE TO CONFIRM WHAT WE ARE READING AND DOING.

We will be discussing the readings the day that they are listed on the syllabus, so the idea is you read them before the day they are listed on the Blackboard page.

You should be prepared to bring the readings with you for most class meetings.

1. Mon, Jan 22

Introduction

A Bit of History

Readings: Syllabus (read it twice – I’m not kidding)

Blackboard: Letters of Abigail and John

Blackboard: Declaration of Sentiments

Blackboard: Gage’s account of Sojourner Truth’s speech

Blackboard: Trial of Susan B. Anthony

Blackboard, Minor v. Happersett

AN INTRODUCTION TO FEMINIST THEORY

2. Mon, Jan 29 – Sign-up Day

Liberal Feminism: Women are Equal

Difference Feminism: Women and Different

Radical Feminism: Equal or Different from What, or Who Made Up This Equation Anyway?

Readings: Egalia’s Daughters, pp. 9 - 90

Handout

Blackboard, e-reserves: “In a Different Voice,” Gilligan

Blackboard, e-reserves: “Politics of Reality,” Frye

Blackboard, e-reserves: “Feminist Discourse...” (focus on Gilligan and MacKinnon)

Short assignment: Write one paragraph on what feminism means to you.

3. Monday, Feb 5 – Sign-up Day

The Intersection of Race, Class, and Gender

Post-Feminism: I’m not a feminist but…” Feminism & Young People in the 21st Century

Nature v. Nurture?

Readings: Egalia’s Daughters, pp. 91 - 199

Handout with short articles

Blackboard: “We won’t be victims anymore,” Harnden

Blackboard, e-reserves: “Manifesta,” Baumgardner & Richards

Blackboard, e-reserves: “The Five Sexes,” Fausto-Sterling

Short Assignment: Write a one-page essay addressing the following. 1) Do you think generalizations can be made about “women” as a group? 2) What do you think would happen if we recognized five sexes?

4. Monday, Feb 12

First Hour: Egalia’s Daughters (Short Assignment due)

We will base our discussion on your papers. Please bring your books.

Second Hour: The Gender Gap

Readings: Egalia’s Daughters, pp. 200 – 269

Additional readings on the Gender Gap on Blackboard

For the rest of the semester, please check Blackboard for assigned readings and assignments.

MEDIA AND ELECTIONS

5. Monday, Feb 19

Women and the Media

Women and Elections

482: Final Exam Paper topics/thesis due

6. Monday, Feb 26

First Hour: Discussion of 482’s Women and the Media Papers (482 Papers due).

Women and Elections

7. Monday, Mar 5

Women and Elections

No class on March 12 for Spring Break.

POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS

8. Monday, Mar 19

Women and Elections

Women in Congress

9. Monday, Mar 26

First Hour: Discussion of your Women and Elections Paper (Papers due)

Second Hour: Women in the Judiciary

10. Monday, Apr 2

Women in the Military

Women and Sports and the impact of Title IX

Short Assignment due

POLICY & LAW

11. Monday, Apr 9

The Right to Privacy

12. Monday, Apr 16

Domestic Violence and Rape

482: Final Exam Paper Interviews must be completed

13. Monday, Apr 23

First part of class: Women and Family Policy

Last 30 minutes: Supreme Court “Conference.” Supreme Court papers due.

14. Monday, Apr 30

Women and International Development

Final Exam Period: Monday, May 7, 5:30 – 8:00. Attendance Required.

482: Final Exam Papers due.

682: The graduate students will be presenting their Research Projects. Everyone is expected to be part of the discussion of their work.

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