Discussion 1
Raciel1990
Module1Spring2023FINAL.pptxIntroduction
WST3015
Dr. Victoria Burns
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the first week of class!
I look forward to us discussing new concepts, ideas, problems, practices, and beliefs that impact the people in our world
This course encompasses a global perspective. That means that we will be focusing on issues relating to women, men, and sexual and gender minorities all around the world
You will learn about some commonly used terms from various academic textbooks on Women’s and Gender Studies that have been coined by academics and researchers in the field. This is not an exhaustive list of terms; some terms may be missing and you may find slightly different definitions and conceptualizations across different texts and articles. I welcome you to share with me any additional perspectives that you think are important.
INTRODUCTION, cont.
There are various terms, ideas, theories, concepts, and perspectives that will be presented here. These are intended to be presented in an objective manner and not as an endorsement of what you should personally believe. You may decide that certain concepts/ideas are worthy of your personal belief and others are not. In this course, however, you may be asked to engage complex concepts/ideas and to demonstrate an understanding of them. Understanding a concept/idea does not mean that you are required to believe it, agree with it, or endorse it.
Introductory Class
This is an Intro course designed for student’s who may not have foundational knowledge in Global Women’s and Gender Studies
For those of you with more advanced knowledge and awareness on these topics, the course material (especially in the beginning) may feel more introductory to you
While the instructor makes every effort to meet students where they are at, this course is intended to be an introduction to Global Women’s and Gender Studies
WHAT DOES FEMINISM MEAN TO YOU?
Definition of feminism from Merriam-Webster Dictionary
1: the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes
2: organized activity on behalf of women's rights and interests
Introductory Terms*
You will encounter many terms in this class and some may be more or less familiar to you. Here are some common introductory terms in Women’s and Gender Studies courses:
Patriarchy: A family, social group, or society in which men generally hold power and are dominant figures. This power can relate to the family, economy, media, religion, law, and politics
Sexism: Prejudice or discrimination based on sex
Racism: A belief that race is a fundamental determinant of human traits and capacities; the systemic oppression of a racial group to the social, economic, and political advantage of another
Homophobia: Irrational fear of, aversion to, or discrimination against gay and lesbian people
Transphobia: Irrational fear of, aversion to, or discrimination against transgender people
White Supremacy: The social, economic, and political systems that collectively enable white people to maintain power over people of other races
Capitalism
Misogyny: Hatred of, aversion to, or prejudice against women
Misandry: Hatred of men
Caste is often thought of as an ancient fact of Hindu life, but various contemporary scholars argue that the caste system was constructed by the British colonial regime. It is defined as a division of society based on differences in wealth, rank, profession, occupation, or race
*Definitions come from Merriam-Webster Dictionary Online; Kirk & Okazawa-Rey, 2020; Lee & Shaw, (2011).
Introductory Terms*
Imperialism: Dominating one nation for the purpose of exploiting human and natural resources, either formally or informally
Colonialism: one nation assumes control over the other
Think of imperialism as the overall umbrella
Colonialism is a type of imperialism
Colonialism relates to actual population movement/settlements
Imperialism can also be:
Military force
Economic policies
Cultural
Aspects of imperialism can lead to positive things but also leads to resistance in the country trying to be changed
* Kirk & Okazawa-Rey, 2020; Lee, J. & Shaw, S.M. (2011).
Introductory Terms*
Global North-South: less about geographical location and more about developed vs developing nations
Global North (Europe and North America)
Global South (regions in Africa, Central/Latin America, most of Asia)
As developing countries become more economically developed, they become included in the Global North classification
*Lee, J. & Shaw, S.M. (2011)
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The next slides contain academic examples* of various feminist perspectives. Important to remember:
We can view people experiences in different ways and from different perspectives.
So, we see different “perspectives” of feminisms
Perspectives can share foundations, but may focus on certain areas
You may identify with none, one, or multiple feminist perspectives
Some of these perspectives may trigger strong reactions in some people
How do you personally define feminism?
Belief in certain feminist perspectives has been shown to predict behavior (Leaper et al., 2011; Weis et al., 2018; Zucker, 2004)
*Alcoff et al. 2015
Types of feminist perspectives*
Liberal feminism
Familiar to many due to its core American value in regards to equality. Favors changes in laws, customs, and values to achieve equality. Promote that people are quite similar as long as they are given equal access to opportunities and environments
Radical feminism
Male control and dominance
Women as a group are oppressed by men as a group
Oppression based on being a woman is one thing all women all over the world have in common
*Alcoff et al., 2015; Kirk & Okazawa-Rey, 2020; Lee & Shaw, 2011.
Types of feminist perspectives
Womanism Feminism or Black Feminism
Legacy of slavery continues to impact Black communities, especially Black women
Criticism of mainstream feminist movement for excluding perspectives and experiences of women of color, particularly Black women. Focuses on issues important in minority communities (e.g. poverty, racism, jobs, health care, education).
Black feminists may view men of color not as oppressors, but as brothers who suffer the same effects of racism as they do
Types of feminist perspectives
Latina/Chicana Feminisms
Racial, immigrant, and economic justice in the U.S. and transnationally
Examine geopolitics as well as gender politics
Focus on the “borderlands” and pan-ethnic, interracial and transnational feminist coalitions
Types of feminist perspectives
Cultural Feminism
Focuses on differences among men and women. Female/male traits should be valued and honored but are devalued in society. Supports gender differences that are either genetic or socialized (e.g. importance of unpaid domestic work for the larger society)
Global/Transnational Feminism
Prejudice and discrimination against women occurs and is related across cultures. Connects global capitalism with inequality (e.g. sweatshop labor, sex trafficking, unequal access to health care/education, violence against girls/women)
Types of feminist perspectives
Marxist/Socialist feminism
Women are oppressed through capitalism and the history of economic/private property systems.
Overthrowing capitalism is the way to achieve equality.
Eco feminism
Patriarchal systems encourage and reward the exploitation of natural resources with little regard to long-term consequences
Treating the environment, animals, and natural resources with respect will positively impact women
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Types of feminist perspectives
Queer and Trans Feminisms
Introduced the term heteronormativity (the belief that heterosexuality is the norm)
Reclaimed the word queer
Coined gender as a performance and emphasized fluidity
Questioning or analyzing the gender binary, categories, and other identities
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Waves of feminism
First wave (1910-1950s): right to vote and own property
Some states (especially in the South) passed laws that made it hard for Black women in particular to vote. These women did not secure the right to vote until the 1960s (Library of Congress)
Second wave (1960s to 1980s):
Sexuality
The workplace
Reproductive rights
Domestic violence and marital rape
Custody and divorce issues
Third wave (1990s to 2008): expand feminism to be more inclusive of various identities, particularly embracing queer and non-white women
Fourth wave (2008-present):
Incorporates technology and social media
Increased focused intersectionality and inclusion of trans people
Rejection of the term “women” and binary systems
Sex work acceptance
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What is Globalization?
What is culture?
The concept of culture is confusing because it has MANY different definitions and aspects
Culture could:
Describe activities or behaviors
Refer to heritage or tradition
Describe rules and norms
Describe learning or problem solving
Define organization of a group
Refer to origins of a group
Global perspective
Cultures (and their differences and similarities) are being impacted/affected by increase in globalization
Globalization = connection of different parts of the world. Globalization = expansion/increased interconnectedness among countries in cultural, economic, and political activities. As people, ideas, knowledge, and goods move more easily around the globe, experiences of people around the world become more similar.
-Transnational implies “across borders” -International perpetuates boundaries of race and nation -Across borders implies more equitable relationships among women across cultures -Transnational term seeks to reflect the way race, colonialism, and imperialism are relevant to the conversation and how they impact all women *Lee, J. & Shaw, S.M. (2011).
Transnational*
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Transnational feminism
Transnational feminism: movement for social, political, economic equality of women across national boundaries
Transnational Feminist Networks:
Engaged in research, lobbying, advocacy for women’s human rights and gender equality
Target discriminatory laws, policies, norms, global campaigns
The term feminist is not always used across the world. More often you may hear women’s rights, civil rights, human rights, democracy, civil society
Transnational feminist activism
Transnational feminist activism: UN’s FOUR World Conferences on Women
Mexico City (1975)
Copenhagen (1980)
Nairobi (1985)
Beijing (1995)
The last conference has been followed by reviews every five years between 2000 - 2020
References
Alcoff et al. (2015). Women’s realities, Women’s choices: An introduction to women’s and gender studies (4th ed). Oxford University Press.
Burn, S.M. (2019). Women across cultures: A global perspective. (4th ed., pp. 4-5). McGraw Hill
Kirk, G., & Okazawa-Rey, M. (2020). Gendered Lives: Intersectional perspectives (7th ed). Kirk & Okazawa-Rey, 2020
Leaper, C. & Arias, D.M. (2011). College women’s feminist identity: A multidimensional analysis with implications for coping with sexism. Sex Roles, 64(7), 475-490
Lee, J. & Shaw, S.M. (2011). Women Worldwide: Transnational feminist perspectives on women. McGraw Hill
Weis, A.S., Redford, L., & Ratliff, K.A. (2018). Feminist identity, attitudes toward feminist prototypes, and willingness to intervene in everyday sexist events. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 42(3), 279-290
Zucker, A.N. (2004). Disavowing social identities: What it means when women say, “I’m not a feminist, but…” Psychology of Women Quarterly, 28, 423-435
