AHUM 25A20 - Introduction to Feminist Theory

This introductory course on feminist theory offers a panoramic overview of the field, while maintaining sensitivity to the historical emergence of gender studies as an academic discipline. After a general introduction, the course will begin with a session on women’s becoming subjects of research and the implications this had for academic topics and approaches. The course sessions will address topics such as: abortion, motherhood and reproductive justice; theories of sexual liberation; feminist, queer and trans materialisms; ecofeminisms; intersectionality; queer and feminist theories of the state and nationalism; sexual violence; the institutionalization of feminist thought; feminist theory at the crossroad of other political sets of theory (liberalism, Marxism, anarchism, Critical Theory and postmodernism) and feminist perspectives on far-right sexual politics. Although the course will primarily follow a lecture format, interactive segments will be regularly incorporated.

Students can improve their grade in handing in one or two questions based on the required reading before the beginning of each session on a sheet of paper (5%).