REQUIREMENTS

Attendance and Active Participation (20%)

This includes:

Carefully Listening to and Respecting Others' Comments. We don't often think of listening as an element of participation, but a productive learning environment is characterized by participants who respect one another's words even if they don't agree. I welcome debate that is balanced with mutual respect.

Participation in Discussion. Your participation won't be evaluated according to "how many times" you make a comment during class, but rather by the thoughtfulness of your responses and your overall engagement with the discussion. Because everyone has a different comfort level in class discussion, I encourage you to speak with me if you are concerned about the participation requirement.

Weekly Responses (30%)

You are responsible for completing the assigned readings before coming to class. For each week's set of readings, you need to respond in writing to one of the texts assigned (this includes films). Occasionally the topic will be assigned beforehand. These responses might include questions you have about the piece, your critique of the argument, ideas it raised for you, etc. They are intended to help you generate paper topics, practice critical analysis, and prepare for discussion. Each response (no more than two typed, double-spaced pages) is due by 4 p.m. every Monday in my Women's Studies mailbox (234 West Hall).

Feminist Technologies Project (25%)

In a group of three or on your own, you will design an original feminist technology and then present it to the class. On the day of your presentation, you will turn in a written description and analysis of your technology, indicating why it is feminist.

Final Paper (25%)

This argumentative essay will be on a topic (of your choice) that is relevant to the course. You will need to speak with me about your topic at least three weeks before the paper is due.