University of Toronto Mississauga

Women and Gender Studies Program

WGS 101H5F:
Introduction to Women and Gender Studies
Fall 2015

Course Location: Kaneff Centre, Room 137 Time: Monday 11 a.m.1 p.m.

Instructor: Dr. R. Cassandra Lord

Office Location: Erindale Hall, RM 210B
Email: cassandra.lord@utoronto.ca


Office Hours: M: 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. & by appointment

Teaching Assistants:
Tammy George, Lead TA:
tammy.george@mail.utoronto.ca

Susan Benson-Sokmen, Skills Sessions TA:
s.benson.sokmen@mail.utoronto.ca
Wei Si Nicole Yiu, TA
nicole.yiu@mail.utoronto.ca

Kendra Pitt, TA
kendra.pitt@mail.utoronto.ca

Artist: Valentin Brown, Hamilton, ON

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/we-all-can-do-it-valentinbrown.html, retrieved Aug 26, 2015

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This foundation course introduces the core ideas students will explore throughout
their studies in Women and Gender Studies. The course immerses students in a
highly participatory and provocative encounter with history, science, social theory,
politics, policy, art and culture viewed through the lens of gender. It provides an
interdisciplinary approach to how we make sense of feminism, and what it means
in our daily lives. We will focus on historical and contemporary discussions of
womens organizing and social movements, by making connections between


WGS101H FALL 2015

different regions and times to examine the development of Women/Gender Studies

as a site of learning and feminist inquiry.

We will discuss and incorporate feminist debates and themes concerning the
socially constructed, and the scientific categories of woman, man, femininity and
masculinity as it relates to race, ethnicity, gender, sex, sexuality, class and
disability, and draw on both historical and contemporary instances of these
theories. Central to this course is how we make links between critical reading and
thinking, theory, and social practice applying what we have learnt to everyday
encounters. The course addresses topics and themes including the social
construction of gender, representation of women and men in society, feminist
ways of knowing, the making of the family, gender and globalization, queer and
transgender identities, gender and violence, and feminist futures.
COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Learning is about being open to new ideas and being able to engage and think
deeply about the contradictions of everyday life. The specific learning objectives of
this course are that students will be able to:

1. To understand how gender is culturally and socially mapped and
reproduced.
2. To learn how gender intersects and operates with other identity markers.
3. Construct and organize ideas through close engagements with texts;
4. Build analytic writing, reading and critical thinking skills;
5. To develop a transnational understanding of gender and sexuality.
6. To understand and engage in with central debates in the field of Women's
and Gender Studies.
REQUIRED TEXT:
Bromley, Victoria (2012). Feminisms Matter: Debates, Theories, Activism. Toronto:
University of Toronto Press (Available at UTM Bookstore).

The textbook is available for purchase at the UTM Bookstore located in the Davis
Building. There is also a copy available on reserve at the UTM Library.

Additional readings will be posted on Blackboard. They are prefaced with [BB] in this
syllabus. Readings with an asterisk [*] should be continuously read each week
alongside the other readings.

Note: Reading and assignment schedules are subject to change.

WGS101H FALL 2015

COURSE ASSIGNMENTS & EVALUATION:

Assignment

Syllabus Quiz (Take-Home)

Assignment #1 (2-3 pages)

Mid-Term Test (In-Class)

Assignment #2 (2-3 pages)

Final Exam

Blackboard/Class Participation
and Extra-Curricular Activity

Value
5%
15%
25%
15%
30%
10%

Due Date
September 28, 2015
October 5, 2015 [New date]
October 26, 2015
November 16, 2015
TBA by Registrars Office

November 30, 2015 by 5pm

DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENTS
You are encouraged to make use of the office hours of your Instructor and the
teaching team to discuss assignments and other issues related to the course.
SYLLABUS QUIZ (TAKE-HOME) 5%
This take-home quiz is to ensure that you read the syllabus in its entirety, and to
also measure your familiarity with the course policies and expectations. The quiz
will consist of 10 short-answer questions related to the syllabus, and will be
handed out in the first class of the semester.
ASSIGNMENT #1: REVIEW AND SUMMARY 15%
The aim of this first assignment is to assess your reading, comprehension and
writing skills, in relation to one article/chapter assigned in Week 2: September 21
readings. A detailed handout of the assignment will be handed out in class.
MID-TERM TEST 25%:
This in-class exam will assess your comprehension of course material covered up
to Week 6: October 19. The text will contain five (5) definitions and three (3) short
answers. A review will be done in lecture.

ASSIGNMENT #2: REVIEW AND SUMMARY 15%:
The aim of this second assignment is to further assess your reading,
comprehension and writing skills, where you will compare the arguments of two
authors. A detailed handout of the assignment will be handed out in class.
FINAL EXAM 30%:
This final exam will be in a similar format to the in-class test, and will assess your
cumulative and overall comprehension of themes and topics covered over the
duration of the course (format TBA). Please note that the date for your final exam is
organized by the Registrars office.


WGS101H FALL 2015

BLACKBOARD/CLASS PARTICIPATION 10%:

Your attendance in this class is comprised of 1) participating on blackboard by
answering questions pertaining to the readings on a weekly basis (prior to the
lecture); 2) discussions in class; 3) attendance in lectures and 4) attending one of
the activities below.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITY
There are two events taking place this term and you have the option of
attending one that will count towards your participation mark. You will
provide a brief synopsis of the event, and how it relates to the course. The first
event is on Wednesday October 7, 2015 at the St. George Campus, and the
second is on Thursday November 19, 2015 at UTM. Details will be announced
in lecture, and a handout will be distributed.
LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
Students are expected to be punctual and attend all classes throughout the
term. Missing classes will seriously jeopardize your ability to do well in this
course and detract from the class environment.
Classes begin at 11:10 a.m.
The best way to get the most out of this course is to be attentive during class
and refrain from any side conversations. As this course encourages students to
engage with the readings throughout the term, when invited to participate in
the lecture, once you have had your say, allow others who wish to do so, to
speak before you speak again. Because much of this course focuses on critically
evaluating taken for granted ideas about identity and social organization, there
may be times that you find the course materials unsettling. We encourage you
to work through challenging ideas and concepts and to engage with others in
ways that are respectful in the lecture.
Before you enter the classroom please turn off cell phones and other electronic
devices. If you must take an important call please leave the lecture and return
once you have finished your conversation.
Texting, surfing the web, or engaging in social media (Snapchat, Facebook,
Twitter, Instagram etc.,) is not allowed during the lecture.
Computers should be used for note-taking only.
Please do not photograph powerpoint slides of the lecture.

CORRESPONDENCE/EMAIL POLICY
The course will use Blackboard for all communications with the teaching team, and
to communicate with students and post announcements. According to university


WGS101H FALL 2015

policies, all students are required to have a university-issued email account. Please
use this email account for all correspondence.
Sign into the Blackboard course website through the UT Portal using your
UTORID. The website will reject any other email address.
Always use your UTORID in correspondence with the Professor and Teaching
Assistants.
Each email message should include in the subject line, the course title and
number WGS101H5F and a concise clear statement of purpose for example,
Assignment #1.
When communicating by email with the Professor or TAs, respectfully frame
your message in standard form using a proper salutation, for example Dear
Professor Lord or Hello/Hi Professor Lord spelling out each entire word I
dont know instead of idk. Please do not begin an email with Hey.
Please make sure you consult the course syllabus, other handouts, and the course
website before submitting inquiries by email. If you have not first checked, you will be
asked to do so in the response.
Please address all general course inquiries to Lead TA: Tammy George
(tammy.george@mail.utoronto.ca) first.
Students can expect a response to their emails within three days, excluding
weekends.
Do not send attachments with an email message.
Grades will not be discussed electronically. Please attend office hours or
schedule a meeting to discuss grades (see also Re-Marks section below).

OFFICE HOURS/APPOINTMENTS
Large classes can be overwhelming, and sometimes ideas in the lectures and in the
readings may be confusing. Please feel free to use drop-in hours (listed at the top
of the syllabus) to see Professor Lord, or schedule an appointment to meet. As I
want students to succeed in this course I am always happy to chat about any
concerns or questions that you have about the course.

CRITICAL READING
As this is an introductory course, it is rigorous and is designed to provide you with
a foundation in Women and Gender Studies. This course requires you to come to
classes prepared to engage in discussion when called upon. Prior to coming to
class please ensure that you have read all the chapters/articles assigned for each
week. Ensure that you bring the textbook for the course and copies of the
blackboard readings with you to every class, as we will be referring to these
readings in the lectures.


WGS101H FALL 2015

As you begin to read the assigned reading for the week you will note that each
author has a different writing style, as well as how they put forth their argument,
make claims, and how they provide evidence. It is important that you pay
attention to how the authors arrive at the conclusions they make.

Critical reading requires you to be a more engaged and active participant. Instead
of reading for information (what the text says), you will develop throughout this
course skills to evaluate what the text does, in terms of its purpose, and the
meanings that you can draw from the authors arguments.
WRITTEN WORK
When submitting assignments, please ensure that you include a title page with
your name, student number, date submitted. Assignments should be typed, double
spaced and in 12 pt Times New Roman font with 1 margins and numbered pages.
Please keep a back-up of your assignments.

All assignments should be properly referenced in APA, MLA or Chicago format,
including a bibliography and footnotes or endnotes. Please ensure that you use a
consistent referencing style. When citing work, all direct quotes must be referenced
as well as ideas drawn from course materials, lectures and readings. Please see the
section on academic integrity for clarification. In the case of internet sources,
identify the full URL of the source and the date you accessed it.
RE-MARKS
Requests for re-marks should be submitted in writing to the Lead Teaching
Assistant (Tammy George) within 30 days of the assignment being returned. A
clear and concise reason must be presented in making the case for a remark. If,
after your discussion with the Lead TA, you still wish to discuss your concerns
with the instructor, please make a copy of your written correspondence with Lead
TA, email it Professor Lord and an appointment will be set up to discuss it. Please
do not contact the instructor before you have consulted the Lead TA.

GRADING CRITERIA
The following is taken from the Faculty of Arts and Science
http://www.utoronto.ca/writing/grading.html

A (Excellent) (80%-100%): Strong evidence of original thinking; good organization;
capacity to analyze and synthesize; superior grasp of subject matter with sound
critical evaluations; evidence of extensive knowledge base.


WGS101H FALL 2015

B (Good) (70%-79%): Evidence of grasp of subject matter, some evidence of critical
capacity and analytic ability; reasonable understanding of relevant issues; evidence
of familiarity with literature.

C (Adequate) (60%-69%): Student who is profiting from the university experience;
understanding of the subject matter and ability to develop solutions to simple
problems in the material.

D (Marginal) (50%-59%): Some evidence of familiarity with the subject matter and
some evidence that critical and analytic skills have been developed.

F (Inadequate) (0%-49%): Little evidence of even superficial understanding of
subject matter; weakness in critical and analytic skills; limited or irrelevant use of
literature.

EQUITY STATEMENT:
The University of Toronto is committed to equity and respect for diversity. All
members of the learning environment in this course should strive to create an
atmosphere of mutual respect. As a course instructor, I will neither condone nor
tolerate behaviour that undermines the dignity or self-esteem of any individual in
this course and wish to be alerted to any attempt to create an intimidating or
hostile environment. It is our collective responsibility to create a space that is
inclusive and welcomes discussion. Discrimination, harassment and hate speech
will not be tolerated. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns you may
contact the UTM Equity and Diversity officer at edo.utm@utoronto.ca or the
University of Toronto Mississauga Students Union Vice President Equity at
vpequity@utmsu.ca
ACADEMIC RIGHTS:
You, as a student at UTM, have the right to:
Rely upon a syllabus once a course is started. An instructor may only change
marks on assignments by following the University Assessment and Grading
Practices Policy provision 1.3.
Refuse to use turnitin.com (you must be offered an alternative form of
submission).
Have access to your instructor for consultation during a course or follow up
with the department chair if the instructor is unavailable.
Ask the person who marked your term work for a re-evaluation if you feel it
was not fairly graded. You have up to one month from the date of return of the


WGS101H FALL 2015

item to inquire about the mark. If you are not satisfied with a re-evaluation,
you may appeal to the instructor in charge of the course if the instructor did not
mark the work. If your work is re-marked, you must accept the resulting mark.
You may only appeal a mark beyond the instructor if the term work was worth
at least 20% of the course mark. (See the Re-Marks section below).
Receive at least one significant mark (15% for H courses, 25% for Y courses)
before the last day you can drop a course for H courses, and the last day of
classes in the first week of January for Y courses taught in the Fall/Winter
terms. (Please note the last day to drop this course without academic penalty
is November 4th, 2015 also re-check the student registration calendar)
http://www.utm.utoronto.ca/registrar/important-dates).
Submit handwritten essays so long as they are neatly written.
Have no assignment worth 100% of your final grade.
Not have a term test worth 25% or more in the last two weeks of class.
Retain intellectual property rights to your research.
Receive all your assignments once graded.
View your final exams. To see a final exam, you must submit an online Exam
Reproduction Request within 6 months of the exam. There is a small non-
refundable fee.
Privacy of your final grades.
Arrange for representation from Downtown Legal Services (DLS), a
representative from the UTM Students Union (UTMSU), and/or other forms of
support if you are charged with an academic offence.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
Academic integrity also known as intellectual honesty is essential to how you learn
and produce scholarship in the university, and also ensures that a degree from the
University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) is a strong signal of each students
individual academic achievement. As a student at UTM, and in this course, you are
responsible for ensuring that the work you submit is yours. For more information
please see Academic Integrity at the University of Toronto. Listed below are some of
the areas that pertain to intellectual honesty:

1. PLAGIARISM
Quoting/using someones work for an assignment without acknowledgement is
not acceptable. This includes ideas from the texts we read in class and also lecture
notes. Be sure to reference what source (e.g. books, articles, websites, lectures etc.)
you obtained your ideas. Please visit the UTM Library site for more resources on
how not to plagiarize


WGS101H FALL 2015

http://www.utm.utoronto.ca/library/instruction/researchwriting.html, as well as
see Margaret Proctors How Not to Plagiarize
http://www.writing.utoronto.ca/advice/using-sources/how-not-to-plagiarize.

2. CHEATING
Copying someone elses test or exam, having someone take your test or exam, as
well as, using someone elses student ID is an academic offense. In addition, Aids
such as cell phones, smart phones, iPads or answer sheets are not allowed in tests
or exams. Please see the University of Torontos Code of Behaviour on Academic
Matters which outlines the behaviours that constitute academic dishonesty and the
processes for addressing academic offences.

3. FORGERY
Altering a grade or medical certificate is an academic offence.
4. SUBMITTING A PAPER USED FOR ANOTHER COURSE OR PURCHASING A PAPER
If you produced a paper for another course you cannot submit the paper, or
reproduce parts of the original paper for this course. Additionally, a paper
purchased via a writing service cannot be submitted for this course.

TURNITIN.COM
Normally, students will be required to submit their course essays to Turnitin.com
for a review of textual similarity and detection of possible plagiarism. In doing so,
students will allow their essays to be included as source documents in the
Turnitin.com reference database, where they will be used solely for the purpose of
detecting plagiarism. The terms that apply to the University's use of the
Turnitin.com service are described on the Turnitin.com web site.
LATE ASSIGNMENTS AND ABSENCES
In order to receive academic accommodation for any course work such as late
assignments, UTM students have to declare their absence on ROSI
(https://www.rosi.utoronto.ca/main.html) in order to receive academic
accommodation for any course work such as missed tests, late assignments, and
final examinations. Once on the ROSI site you will need to complete and click
submit on the Absence Declaration. You then be presented with a confirmation
page and link to the policies for WGS101H. Please ensure that you print a copy of
the confirmation page.

Extensions will only be granted under extenuating circumstances. All requests
must be negotiated with the Lead TA one week in advance of the due dates in the
form of a written email. If you miss a test, you must email the Lead TA within 1


WGS101H FALL 2015

10

business day of having missed the test. You must also provide the printed
Absence Declaration. Supporting documentation such as a UTM medical or death
certificate may be required. There is no make-up for missed in-class tests without
official documentation.

Late assignments will be penalized 2% per day, including weekends for a
maximum of 5 days, and a refusal of work afterwards. It is your responsibility to keep
a copy of the work you submitted. Electronic submissions of work will not be accepted.

Notice of Collection
The University of Toronto respects your privacy. The information on this form is collected
pursuant to section 2(14) of the University of Toronto Act, 1971. It is collected for the
purpose of administering accommodations for academic purposes based on medical
grounds. The department will maintain a record of all medical certificates received. At all
times your information will be protected in accordance with the Freedom of Information
and Protection of Privacy Act.

If you have any questions regarding FIPPA, please refer to
www.utoronto.ca/privacy or contact the Universitys Freedom of Information and
Protection of Privacy Office, tel. 416-946-5835. Address: Room 201, McMurrich
Bldg., 12 Queens Park Crescent, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A1.

RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS
It is important that no University member be seriously disadvantaged because of
her or his religious observation. Students have an obligation to alert members of
the teaching staff in a timely fashion of upcoming religious observances and
anticipated absences. Every effort will be made to avoid scheduling tests,
examinations or other compulsory activities at these times. Please advise me in
advance so that the necessary arrangements can be made.
ACCESSIBILITY
This course welcomes students with diverse learning styles. If you have a
disability/health consideration, please feel free to see me and/or the AccessAbility
Resource Centre as soon as possible. As a reminder, you are encouraged to register
with AccessAbility Resource Centre at UTM
http://www.utm.utoronto.ca/accessability/ so that the University can best support
your learning.

AccessAbility staff (located in Room 2037, Davis Building) are available by
appointment to assess specific needs, provide referrals and arrange appropriate

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WGS101H FALL 2015

accommodations. Please call 905-569-4699 or email access.utm@utoronto.ca. The

sooner you let us know your needs the quicker we can assist you in achieving your
learning goals in this course
THE ROBERT GILLESPIE ACADEMIC SKILLS CENTRE
In order to support your learning and writing please visit the RGAS Center as it
provides individual appointments and aids to assist you throughout this course
http://www.utm.utoronto.ca/asc/undergraduate-students.


***
COURSE OUTLINE AND SCHEDULE:
WEEK 1
September 14:

Introduction and Overview of the Course

Critical Reading and Writing

WEEK 2
September 21:
The F-Word: Dont Call Me That!

Guided Reading Questions: What is Feminism and why does it matter? What counts as
female? Who and what defines women? Where do our ideas about femininities and
masculinities come from?

Readings:
[T] Bromley, Victoria. "Introduction," and Chapter 1, "Feminisms and Other
F-Words." In Feminisms Matter: Debates, Theories, Activism. xi-xiv
and 1-11. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2012.
[BB] hooks, bell. "Excerpts from Feminism Is for Everybody." In Gender and
Women's Studies in Canada: Critical Terrain, edited by Margaret Hobbs and
Carla Rice. 11-15. Toronto: Women's Press, 2000/2013.
[T] Bromley, Chapter 9, "Feminism and Masculinities." 151-171.
*[T] Bromley, Chapter 4, "Making My Head Spin: Critical Intersectionality." 47-63
KEY CONCEPTS: essentialism, sex, gender, sexuality, *intersectionality


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12

WEEK 3
September 28: The Scientific and Social Construction of Sex, Gender and Race
(Syllabus Take-Home Quiz Due)

Guided Reading Questions: How else might we think about gender, sex, sexuality, race and
taken for granted categories?

Readings:
[BB] Grewal, Inderpal, and Caren Kaplan. "Social and Historical Constructions of
Gender." In An Introduction to Women's Studies: Gender in a Transnational
World, edited by Inderpal Grewal and Caren Kaplan. 1-5. Boston: McGraw-
Hill, 2006.
[T] Bromley, Chapter 6, Enlightenment, Modernism and the Search for Universal
Truths (excerpt), 92-93.
[BB] Prasad, Ajnesh. Reconsidering the Socio-Scientific Enterprise of
Sexual Difference: The Case of Kimberly Nixon. Canadian Woman Studies/les
cahiers de la femme, 24(2/3), 80-84, 2005.
[BB] Green, Kai M. "Race and Gender Are Not the Same! " Is Not a Good
Response to the Transracial/ Transgender Question or We Can and Must
Do Better." In, Feminist Wire.com, 2014. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
(http://www.thefeministwire.com/2015/06/race-and-gender-are-not-the-
same-is-not-a-good-response-to-the-transracial-transgender-question-or-we-
can-and-must-do-better/)
KEY CONCEPTS: social construction, enlightenment, race.

How Do I Know What I Know?
Feminist Ways of Knowing, Theory and Methods
(Review and Summary Assignment #1 due)

Guided Reading Questions: What are the differences among epistemology, methodology
and method. Can feminist methods exist? How can feminist theories be used to think about
everyday life and popular culture?
WEEK 4
October 5:

[T] Bromley, Chapter 3, Epistemology and Theory." 37-46.

[T] Bromley, Chapter 7, "Feminist Methods." 115-130.
[T] Bromley, Chapter 5, Feminist Theories." 65-90.
KEY CONCEPTS: epistemology, subjective knowledge, objective knowledge,
feminist theory, self-reflexivity.

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WEEK 5
October 12:

(No Class Thanksgiving)

WEEK 6
October 19: Feminist Histories: A Transnational Perspective

Guided Reading Questions: Why might it be useful to think about multiple forms of
feminism? Why does location and place matter?

Readings:
[T] Bromley, Chapter 6, From Universalizing To Queering and Globalizing
Theories. (Transnational Feminism) 108-113; 91-98 and 106-108.
[BB] Hoodfar, Homa. "The Veil in their Minds and on Our Heads: The
Persistence of Colonial Images of Muslim Women." 22, 3/4: 5-6 (excerpt).
Resources for Feminist Research, 1992.
[BB] Loomba, Ania. Colonialism/Postcolonialism. 62-64. New York: Routledge, 1998.
[BB] Borsa, Joan. "Towards a Politics of Location: Rethinking Marginality. In
Canadian Woman Studies: An Introductory Reader," edited by
A. Medovarski and B. Cranney. 15-18. Toronto: Inanna Publications and
Education, 2006.
[T] Bromley, Chapter 8, "Feminist Contributions." 131-150.
KEY CONCEPTS: transnational feminism, colonialism, postcolonialism, the
politics of location, eurocentrism, cultural identity.
WEEK 7
October 26:

Mid-Term Test
(in-class)


WGS101H FALL 2015

14

WEEK 8
November 2:

The Making of the Family

Guided Reading Questions: What are some of the assumptions held about the family? How
might the family be a site of oppression and resistance for women?
Readings:
[BB] Das Gupta, Tania. "Families of Native peoples, Immigrants, and People of
Colour." In Open Boundaries: A Canadian Women's Studies Reader, edited by
B. A. Crow and L. Gotell. 199-216. Toronto: Pearson Prentice Hall, 1995.
[BB] hooks, bell. "Homeplace: A site of Resistance." In Yearning: Race, Gender, and
Cultural Politics, edited by b. hooks. 41-43. Toronto: Between the Lines, 1990.
[BB] Owen, Michelle K. "'Family' as a Site of Contestation: Queering the Normal or
Normalizing the Queer?" In a Queer Country: Gay and Lesbian Studies in the
Canadian context, edited by T. Goldie. 86-98. Vancouver: Arsenal Pulp Press,
2001.
KEY CONCEPTS: family as a site of contestation, normalizing the queer.
WEEK 9
November 9: Economic Globalization & Its Gendered Effects
(Guest Lecture: Professor D. Alissa Trotz, WGSI, UTSG)

Guided Reading Questions: What are some of the ways in which globalization has affected
the type of work and roles that women perform? Pay particular attention to
place/geographic region.
Readings:
[BB] Stasiulis, Daiva K. and Abigail B. Bakan. Negotiating Citizenship: Migrant
Women in Canada and the Global System. 1-4, and 40-45. Toronto: University of
Toronto Press, 2005.
[BB] Ng, Roxana. Immigrant Garment Workers as the Embodiment of Gender,
Race and Class Relations." In Gendered Intersections: An Introduction to
Women's and Gender Studies, edited by L. Biggs and P. Downe. 204-209. Black
Point, Nova Scotia: Fernwood Publishing, 2005.
[BB] Barndt, Deborah. Tangled Routes: Women, Work, and Globalization on the Tomato
Trail. 1-4. Aurora, Ontario: Garamond Press, 2002.
KEY CONCEPTS: globalization, neoliberalism, citizenship, public/private divide,
imperialism, gendered division of labour.

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WEEK 10
November 16:

Thinking about Queer and Transgender Identities

(Review and Summary Assignment #2 Due)

Guided Reading Questions: How do queer and transgender identities intersect and operate
with other identity markers?

Readings:
[T] Bromley, Chapter 6, From Universalizing To Queering and Globalizing
Theories. 98 -104.
[BB] Whittle, Stephen. "Foreward." In The Transgender Studies Reader, edited by
Susan Stryker and Stephen Whittle. xi-xvi. New York: Routledge, 2006.
[BB] Tinsley, Omiseeke Natasha and Matt Richardson (2014). "From Black
Transgender Studies to Colin Dayan: Notes on Methodology. " 45, 152-161.
Small Axe, 2015.
KEY CONCEPTS: MTF, FTM, cisgender, queer, transgender
WEEK 11
November 23:

Gender and Violence

(Guest Lecture: Kendra A. Pitt)
Guided Reading Questions: How do the readings challenge us to broaden our discussions
and understandings of violence? What might we miss if we look through the lens of
gender only to understand violence?

Readings:
[BB] Plewes, C. Tawnye and Pamela J. Downe. 2005. "Perils of the Past and Strong
Women: Contemporary Challenges and Promises for the Future of
Aboriginal Women." In Gendered Intersections: An Introduction to Women's
and Gender Studies, edited by L. Biggs and P. Downe. 98-102. Black Point,
Nova Scotia: Fernwood Publishing, 2005.
[BB] Goldberg, Joshua, and Caroline White. "Expanding our Understanding of
Gendered Violence: Violence Against Trans people and their Loved Ones.
25 (1-2)"Canadian Woman Studies, 2006.
[BB] Davis, Angela Y. "Violence Against Women and the Ongoing Challenge to
Racism." In The Angela Y. Davis Reader, edited by J. James. 138-148. Malden,
Massachusetts: Blackwell Publishing, 1998.
Video: Welsh, Christine. Finding Dawn, National Film Board of Canada (NFB),
2012.
KEY CONCEPTS: structural violence, gendered racism

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WEEK 12
November 30:

Wrapping Up:
Feminist Activisms, Struggles and Futures

Guided Reading Questions: Why might feminism still be important or relevant? What are
are some of the key challenges and struggles for feminism?
Readings:
[T] Bromley, Chapter 12, Making Change. 189-212
[BB] Connell, R.W. "Gender Politics for Men." In Feminism and Men:
Reconstructing Gender Relations, edited by S.P Schacht and D.W. Ewing. 225-
236. New York: NYU Press, 1998.
Video: Cho, Karen. Status Quo: the Unfinished Business of Feminism in
Canada, National Film Board of Canada (NFB), 2012.
Final Exam TBA by Registrars Office.
~Best of luck with your exams~