The "F" Word: Feminism, Womyn, & Social Change

What does it mean to be a woman? What is feminism? Is it outdated? Have women achieved equality? How have changes in women's and men's roles affected the sociopolitical landscape of the United States? Over the past two decades, many have come to believe that feminism is dead, or should be. When large groups of people are surveyed as to their principle beliefs about gender roles, however, by and large those polled strongly agreed with feminist principles and values, although balk at being referred to as "feminists". Feminist scholars have now deliberately coined the term "The F Word" when referring to this backlash against feminist terminology. This course explores these questions and examines the interaction between gender and other social stratifiers such as race, culture, class, age, sexual orientation, and ability. We will address the role of systems of social injustice; explore avenues for creating both individual and collective change though social action; examine global issues; and study women from other cultures.