Women’s Studies 385



Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies 385Women in Political LeadershipSpring 20121:30-3:18 p.m.; Central Classrooms 214InstructorsProfessor Jill BystydzienskiJulie GraberDepartment of WGSSTManaging Director286P University HallThe Institute on WomenPhone: 614-292-1021Phone: 614-859-9469bystydzienski.1@osu.edu jgraber@ Office Hours: Wednesday 2-4:00and by appointmentDisability accommodationThe Office of Disability Services, located in 150 Pomerene Hall, 1760 Neil Avenue, offers services for students with disabilities and can be reached at 292-3307; . Students who have been certified by the Office of Disability Services will be appropriately accommodated in this class and should inform the instructors as soon as possible of their needs.Course DescriptionWomen in Political Leadership is a unique undergraduate internship that offers students the opportunity to explore the world of politics from the vantage point of diverse women political leaders. In this course, students will have the opportunity to work closely with Ohio women legislators to learn about leadership and policymaking. In addition to working with women policymakers, students will engage in classroom discussions based on scholarly readings.In this course, you will complete 9 weeks of a 10-15 hour per week internship experience in the office of an Ohio woman in politics;become acquainted with literature on the subject of political leadership and women in politics;meet your colleagues for class discussions;complete weekly internship work logs;conduct an interview with a woman with experience in the political arena;write a final synthesizing paper.Required TextLori Cox Han, Women and US Politics: The Spectrum of Political Leadership (Second Edition), Lynne Rienner Publishers, 2010.Required Readings on CarmenAlice H. Eagly and Linda L. Carli, Through the Labyrinth: The Truth About How Women Become Leaders, Chapters 1-5.Wendy Smooth, “Intersectionalities of Race and Gender and Leadership.”Gaetane Jean-Marie, Vicki Williams, and Sheila L. Sherman, “Black Women’s Leadership Experiences: Examining the Intersectionality of Race and Gender.”Krissah Thompson, “Women’s Groups Call Out Political Sexism,” Course ObjectivesUpon successful completion of this course, students should:Understand the skills and strategies required of diverse women lawmakers as well as the obstacles that women leaders face;Understand the scope of work of women in positions of political leadership;Be able to place their specific internship experience in a larger theoretical and empirical context through reading about women, politics, and leadership. Course RequirementsYou need to complete all readings by the dates indicated on the schedule below. We will have few class sessions during the quarter, so it is imperative that you attend sessions unless you are ill or have another university-sanctioned reason. We will keep track of attendance through the distribution of a roll sheet at the beginning of every class period. Students with problems that require absence from class during the quarter must speak to Professor Bystydzienski. Late arrival to class should only occur in the event of an emergency, and it is your responsibility to sign the roll sheet if you come to class late. In the absence of special circumstances please be prepared to begin class on time with the necessary materials (including whatever text or reading is assigned for that class session).Class sessions will take the form of discussions. For all class meetings after the first, we may break into small groups to discuss internship experiences. You will be expected to participate in all class discussions. You will also be expected to come to class prepared, not only by having completed the readings but also by having reflected critically on them in relation to your internship experience. Giving yourself enough time to reflect on the readings before class will enhance your contribution to our collective learning. We expect all students to come prepared to participate in discussions in a candid, informed, thoughtful, and respectful manner. Please feel free to ask questions at any time. Internship EvaluationAt the end of the quarter your onsite internship supervisor will review your work performance. In addition, you will be asked to offer a self-assessment of your own work performance. Your overall performance will be assessed by the instructors based on these evaluations and your attendance and participation in class sessions. QuizzesWe will begin class on April 10th, April 24th, May 8th, and May 22nd, with a brief quiz. Each quiz will cover the readings assigned to have been completed for that day as well as those assigned since the last class. So, for example, the first quiz on April 10th will cover material assigned for weeks 2 and 3. In order to prepare for the quizzes read carefully and take notes on the readings.Weekly Internship Work LogEvery week of your internship you will complete an Internship Work Log that asks a series of questions meant to elicit information about the work you are performing and the internship experience. You should complete the Work Log by answering all questions fully and thoughtfully; follow instructions to submit the Work Log each week. A surveymonkey link will be provided on Carmen each week.Final PaperAt the end of the quarter you will submit a final paper of at least six full pages in length and no longer than seven full pages in which you will use readings, the results of an informational interview (see instructions below), and other course resources—including class discussions—to analyze your internship experience. As you develop your paper, consider the following questions:What specific challenges do diverse women face in getting elected to public office? Once elected, how does women’s leadership influence the policymaking process? How are women policymakers strategizing to move their issues onto the legislative agenda? In what ways are women moving forward in their work as policymakers and what obstacles still remain in their path?Informational Interview: Incorporated into your final paper will be information you acquire by conducting an informational interview with either the policymaker you are working for or a senior member of her staff. To prepare for the interview, read this tutorial on conducting informational interviews: In the interview, gather information on the policymaker’s path into public office, her outlook on women as policymakers, and what she regards to be the leadership qualities women need to succeed in politics. Finally, explore how she sees the future for women in politics. Interviews should be conducted in person. You must complete your interview no later than Tuesday, May 8th to be on track to write your final paper. You may be asked to comment on the interview in class.Your final paper is due no later than Tuesday, June 5 at 5:00 pm. Hard copies of final papers should be delivered to Professor Bystydzienski in the Department of Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies office, 286 University Hall.GradingYour course grade will be determined as follows: Internship Evaluation50% Weekly Work Logs15% Quizzes15%Final Paper20% Grading scale: A (95-100) A- (90-94) B+ (88-89) B (85-86) B- (80-84) C+ (77-79) C (75-76) C- (70-74) D+ (68-69) D (65-66) E (64 and below) The OSU Writing Center, which offers free tutoring to students, is located at 475 Mendenhall Lab. You can obtain more information about the Center at , and you may contact them at 688-4291.Plagiarism PolicyAs defined by University Rule 3335-31-02, plagiarism is “the representation of another’s works or ideas as one’s own; it includes the unacknowledged word for word use and/or paraphrasing of another person’s work, and/or the inappropriate unacknowledged use of another person’s ideas.” Plagiarism is one of the most serious offenses that can be committed in an academic community; as such, it is the obligation of this department and its instructors to report all cases of suspected plagiarism to the Committee on Academic Misconduct. Always cite your sources. Always ask questions before you turn in an assignment if you are uncertain about what constitutes plagiarism. Class ScheduleWeek 1Tu March 27First class session: Introduction and orientation;Preparation for internshipWeek 2History of Women’s Political Leadership in the US (first meeting with lawmakers)Readings: Women and US Politics, Chapters 1-2 (pp. 1-44)Wendy Smooth, “Intersectionalities of Race and Gender and Leadership.”[Carmen]Week 3Tu April 10Class Session: Introduction to Key Issues in Women’s LeadershipReadings: Through the Labyrinth, Chapters 1-2 (pp. 1-48) [Carmen]Diversity among women leadersGaetane Jean-Marie, Vicki Williams, and Sheila L. Sherman, “Black Women’s Leadership Experiences: Examining the Intersectionality of Race and Gender.” [Carmen]Week 4Key Obstacles to Women’s Political Leadership Readings: Through the Labyrinth, Chapters 3-5 (pp. 49-81) [Carmen];“Women’s Groups Call out Political Sexism,” 5Tu April 24Class session:Women as CitizensReadings: Women and U.S. Politics, Chapter 3 (pp. 45-67)Week 6Women as Political CandidatesReadings: Women and U.S. Politics, Chapter 4 (pp. 69-88)Tu May 8 Week 7Class session: Women in Representative InstitutionsReadings: Women and U.S. Politics, Chapter 5 (pp. 89-112)Reminder: You should have completed your informational interview by this date!Week 8Women as ExecutivesReadings: Women and U.S. Politics, Chapter 6 (pp. 113-142)Week 9Tu May 22Class session: The Future of Women in U.S. Political Leadership Readings: Women and U.S. Politics, Chapter 8 (pp. 165-174)Tu June 5Final Paper Due: Turn in the final paper by 5:00 pm at 286 University Hall in the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Department main office ................
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