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Women’s Gender & Sexuality Studies 4402 Black Women Representations, Politics and PowerMondays 12:20-2:00 Central Classrooms 0211Autumn Semester 2012University Documented DisabilitiesStudents with a university- documented disability certified by the Office of Disability Services should discuss with me any special accommodations needed for the course. Please make me aware of your needs as soon as possible. The Office for Disability Services, located in 150 Pomerene Hall, offers services for students with documented disabilities. Contact the ODS at 2-3307, 292-3307, TDD 292-0901; . Wendy G. SmoothOffice Location: 286E University HallEmail: smooth.1@osu.eduOffice Phone: 247-8449Office Hours:Wednesdays 1-2, or by appointment Course Description: This course examines the complex ways black women and black womanhood are constructed primarily in the U.S. Across the semester we will consider how black women are represented in popular culture, politics, history, rhetoric and fiction. As well, we will examine black feminist intellectual traditions that counter prevailing dominant narratives. A central question organizing our work this semester is, “Across history and in the contemporary context, how do black women in the US resist and challenge oppressions they encounter?” Using historical, literary, and social science perspectives, we will explore the developments and transformations in the agendas, philosophies, strategies and political engagements black women use to self-define black womanhood. Students will be required to think critically, often times across historical time periods to address black women’s social, political, cultural and economic stances. We will interact with a variety of materials including primary and secondary texts, film, pamphlets, and lyrics to chart black women’s intellectual traditions. Required Texts:Students are required bring in actual hard copies of all course readings. The use of laptops in class for note taking is acceptable; however, following readings in class on laptops is prohibited. Therefore, you are strongly encouraged to budget for the costs of printing materials.Jesus, Jobs & Justice, Betty Collier-ThomasThe Dark End of the Street, Daniel McGuireErotic Revolutionaries, Shayne LeeSister Citizen, Melissa Harris -PerryWords of Fire, Beverly Guy-Sheftall, edAll other readings are posted on the Carmen course site. Again,students are expected to bring printed copies of the articles to class for discussionCourse Requirements and GradingTake Home Midterm Exam25%Distributed Oct 29th; Due In Class Nov. 5th Group Project20%Oct 1st & 15th See class schedule Individual Critical Essay15%Discussion Leading & Class Participation15%Sign up first class meetingFinal Paper25%Proposal Due Oct 1st ; Due Thursday Dec. 6th Take Home Midterm Exam (25%)There will be one take home essay exam at the mid-term point, which will cover the readings, lectures, class discussions and other course materials. The exam will count towards 30% of your final grade for the course. Late exams will be reduced by one letter grade for each day it is late. Exam Distribution Monday, Oct. 29th. Midterm exams due in class Monday, Nov. 5th.Group Project: Iconoclast Interludes (20%) Iconoclast: “a person who attacks settled beliefs or institutions” (Merriam Webster Dictionary)“person who attacks cherished beliefs or traditional institutions” (WordNet Princeton Univ)Synonyms: nonconformist; maverick; deviant; counter culturist; “creative visionaries”(Sundance Channel)In groups of 4-5 students, you will conduct research on a black feminist intellectual, and you will make the case for her iconoclast status. You will present your project on designated dates across the semester using a multimedia format. Your research should address a number of questions regarding the figure your group selected. While the world may not already recognize her name, you will show us why we “ought to know” her. Your task is to illustrate why we should offer this woman iconoclast status. To make the case, you will present her life and work to the class by including the following: What are her contributions to improving the lives of black women? Provide the evidence of her work. Discuss the issues and social problems that her life’s work addresses. What political and social issues does her life work address? Most importantly, explore those “cherished beliefs” and “traditional institutions” she has rallied against in her work. What strategies has she employed for social change? What does her life and deeds teach us about speaking back to power? Your presentations should bring your iconoclast to life using video footage, photographs, recorded speeches, and/ or reenactments. Fully situate us in her life and times. What music, books, events help us to fully appreciate her and her moment in history? The presentations should involve all group members and should be 15-20 minutes in length. Group Project Individual Critical Essays (10%): The week following the presentations, you will submit a 4-5 page essay discussing your independent reflections on what you learned through tracing the black feminist intellectual. Included in this essay should be a discussion of the black feminist intellectual’s theoretical framework; strategies; and your personal engagement with her life and work. The essay should discuss the iconoclast’s contributions in relation to at least two concepts/institutions studied in the course.Discussion Leading & Class Participation (15%)The success of this course is dependent upon all members actively participating. Occasionally, I will lecture in this class, but this class is primarily based on discussion and will evolve based upon the ideas you bring to the course. You are expected to complete the assigned readings before coming to class. You are also required to review your fellow students’ postings on the Carmen website prior to attending class. These postings will help guide our classroom conversation. You are also expected to attend all classes. Throughout the course we will engage in small group activities that are related to the course materials and you will be evaluated based on your participation. Given the nature of these activities, there is no way to ‘make-up’ missed class activities. Reading a daily news outlet will keep you apprised of current events, which will often be used as examples in class discussions. To enhance classroom discussions, students are encouraged to bring related news to class to share. Discussion LeadingWhile you have the responsibility of actively participating in class discussions every week, two times during the quarter you will take greater responsibility for class discussions as a co-facilitator. In this role, you will post 3 thoughtful questions to help guide our deliberations. As well, you will help us to craft an engaging class discussion, by bringing in or directing us to an item that captures the themes for the week. This could take the form of a speech; music, television show, news or movie clip; photograph; news article; or blog post. You are encouraged to be creative in your contribution to galvanizing our discussion of the information and themes of the readings. You will need to post your discussion questions and item of interest on Carmen by 5pm on Friday prior to our class meeting. Please adhere to this schedule so that your colleagues are able to prepare adequately for our class discussion. Final Paper (25%) Speaking Back: Contemporary Black Women’s Activism and Intellectual EngagementsYou will submit an 8-10 page paper that addresses the ways black women are continuously speaking back to the constructions and representations we are discussing across the semester. More information on the requirements for the final paper project will be distributed in class. Final papers are due Thursday, Dec 6th Paper Proposal- You are strongly encouraged to select your topic early and begin work on your topic. To have your paper topic approved, you will need to submit a 2 page topic proposal offering an initial thesis statement that will guide the final paper. Your proposal paper will include an annotation of 5 sources you plan to use for the paper. Once approved, any changes to your paper topic will also require approval. Due Monday, Oct. 1st Potential Topics:Black Women Tech Voices, Bloggers and the BlogosphereFirst Lady Michelle Obama (Re)Claiming Black Motherhood Black Women & the Contemporary Black Arts MovementBlack Women & Electoral Politics as Candidate &VotersBlack Natural Hair Aesthetics Movement The Evolution of Womanist TheologyAcademic Integrity/PlagiarismStudents are expected to maintain complete academic integrity. Please become familiar with the departmental statement on plagiarism:As 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. After the report is filed, a hearing takes place and if the student is found guilty, the possible punishment ranges from failing the class to suspension or expulsion from the university. Although the existence of the Internet makes it relatively easy to plagiarize, it also makes it even easier for instructors to find evidence of plagiarism. It is obvious to most teachers when a student turns in works that is not his or her own and plagiarism search engines make documenting the offense very simple. You should always cite your sources (I can help you with this if you are unfamiliar with proper styles of documentation). Always ask questions before you turn in an assignment if you are uncertain about what constitutes plagiarism. Always see your TA or professor if you are having difficulty with an assignment. To preserve the integrity of OSU as an institution of higher learning, to maintain your own integrity, and to avoid jeopardizing your future, DO NOT PLAGIARIZE!Attendance PolicyStudents are expected to attend all class meetings and class presentations arriving on time. You should be aware that unexcused absences and excessive tardiness will be reflected in your final grade. With more than two absences, you automatically forfeit the possibility of earning an “A” for the course.Late PapersStudents are encouraged to submit their assignments on time. Papers will be reduced by one letter grade for everyday that the paper is late. Papers originally graded as an “A” will be reduced to a “B,” for example. Class ScheduleWeek 1 Aug 27 Introductions/ Course Housekeeping Introducing Black Womanhood & Black Women’s LivesWeek 2 Sept 3 No class Labor Day Week 3 Sept 10th Toward a Method and Theory: Reading Black Women’s Lives Readings: Words of Fire Selected Essays:The Combahee River Collective- A Black Feminist Statement bell hooks- Black Women Shaping Feminist TheoryPauli Murray- The Liberation of Black WomenPatricia Hill Collins- The Social Construction of Black Feminist ThoughtDeborah K. King- Multiple Consciousness: The Context of Black Feminist IdeologyAudre Lorde- Age, Class and Sex: Women Redefining DifferenceWeek 4 Sept 17th Understanding Enduring Images and Stereotypes of Black Womanhood in Contemporary ContextsDiscussion Group 1Readings: Leith Mullings, “Images Ideology and Women of Color” in Women of Color in U.S. Society ed Baca Zinn, Maxine and Bonnie Thornton Dill. Melissa Harris- Perry Sister Citizen Chapters 1-6Patricia Hill Collins Black Sexual Politics Chapter 2Week 5 Sept 24th Black Women as the Vanguard of Social JusticeDiscussion Group 2Readings: Danielle McGuire- The Dark End of the StreetWeek 6 Oct 1st Black Feminist Iconoclast Interlude IIconoclast Groups 1-3Film Viewing: The Fundi: The Story of Ella BakerPaper Proposals DueWeek 7 Oct 8th We’ve Come This Far by Faith: Black Women, Religion, & Politics of the Public SphereDiscussion Group 3Readings:Betty Collier-Thomas -Jesus Jobs and Justice (Selected Chapters)Individual Critical Essays Due Groups 1-3Week 8 Oct 15th Black Feminist Iconoclast Interlude IIIconoclast Groups 4-5Film Viewing : Silence: In Search of Black Female SexualityWeek 9 Oct 22nd Sexuality, the Politics of Respectability, & Towards a New Black Feminist Politics of SexualityDiscussion Group 4Readings:Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham-Chapter 7 “The Politics of Respectability,” in Righteous Discontent: The Women’s Movement in the Black Baptist Church, 1880-1920. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press (Library web e-books)Darlene Clark Hine- Rape and the Inner Lives of Black Women in the Middle West: Preliminary Thoughts on the Culture of Dissemblance (Words of Fire)Paula Giddings- The Last Taboo (Words of Fire)Cheryl Clarke- Lesbianism: An Act of Resistance (Words of Fire)Shayne Lee- Erotic Revolutionaries (Selected Chapters)Individual Critical Essays Due Groups 4-5Week 10 Oct 29th Black Women’s Resistance through Work: Labor Organizing, Professionalization, & EntrepreneurshipDiscussion Group 5Readings:Sharon Harley, “When Your Work Is Not Who You Are: The Development of a Working-Class Consciousness among Afro-American Women”Marlese Durr and Adia M. Henry Wingfield. 2011. "Keep Your ‘N’ in Check: African American Women and the Interactive Effects of Etiquette and Emotional Labor," Critical Sociology v37 n5 September: 557-571 Tiffany Gill. 2010. Beauty Shop Politics: African American Women’s Activism in the Beauty Industry. Chaps Intro, 1 & 2; pgs 1-60.Shaw, Stephanie. 1996. What a Woman Ought to Be and to Do: Black Professional Women Workers During the Jim Crow Era, Intro, Chaps. 1-3, Epilogue of Part I, pp: 1-105 (Library web e-books) Take Home Midterm Exam Distributed- Due In Next Class Meeting Nov 5thWeek 11 Nov 5th Black Women’s Political LeadershipDiscussion Group 6Readings:Wendy Smooth “African American Women & Electoral Politics: A Challenge to the Post Race Rhetoric of the Obama Moment” in Gender and ElectionsMelina Abdullah and Regina Freer “Bass to Bass Relative Freedom and Womanist Leadership in Black Los Angeles” in Black Los Angeles American Dreams and Racial RealitiesFilm Viewing: Chisholm ‘72Take Home Midterm Exam Due In ClassWeek 12 Nov 12th No Class Veteran’s DayWeek 13 Nov 19th Exploring and Constructing Meanings of Black Womanhood through First Lady Michelle ObamaDiscussion Group 7Readings:Melissa Harris- Perry Sister Citizen Chapter 7Verna L. Williams “The First (Black)Lady.” 86 Denver University Law Review.833 (2009).Joan Faber McAlister “_____ Trash in the White House: Michelle Obama, Post-Racism, and the Pre-Class Politics of Domestic Style.” Communication & Critical/Cultural Studies, Sep2009, Vol. 6 Issue 3, p311-315, 5p.Mary L. Kahl. “First Lady Michelle Obama: Advocate for Strong Families.” Communication & Critical/Cultural Studies, Sep2009, Vol. 6 Issue 3, p316-320, 5p.Soyini D. Madison. “Crazy Patriotism and Angry (Post)Black Women.” Communication & Critical/Cultural Studies, Sep2009, Vol. 6 Issue 3, p321-326, 6p; DOI:Week 14 Nov 26th Hip Hop Resistance FeminismDiscussion Group 8Readings:Barbara Ransby and Tracye Matthews “Black Popular Culture and the Transcendence of Patriarchal Illusions” (Words of Fire)Aisha Durahm “Using [Living Hip-Hop] Feminism: Redefining an Answer(to) Rap” in Home Girls Make Some Noise: Hip Hop Feminism AnthologyBrittney Cooper “Excavating the Love Below: The State as Patron of the Baby Mama Drama and Other Ghetto Hustles” in Home Girls Make Some Noise: Hip Hop Feminism AnthologyMarlo David Azikwe “More than Baby Mamas: Black Mothers and Hip Hop Feminism” in Home Girls Make Some Noise: Hip Hop Feminism AnthologyWeek 15 Dec 3rd Course Wrap Up DiscussionReadings:Kirsten Clarke. “Towards a Black Feminist Liberation Agenda”Final Papers Due Thursday Dec. 6th ................
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