Undergraduate Courses
Fall 2014
History 191D-2: Who Cares about Inequality?
Wed 3:00-5:50, Royce 166
Prof. Yeager
Political Science 119: Feminist Political Theory: From Early Modern to Post-Modern
Mon & Wed 4:00-6:00, Haines A18
Prof. Megan Gallagher
This course will survey a selection of major works in feminist political theory from the early modern period to the present. As a discipline, political theory concerns itself with questions of authority, fairness, justice, and power (among others); yet historically, women’s interests have been routinely ignored or subordinated to those of men. Feminist political theory challenges women’s absence, or assumed subservience, in political life. It seeks to provide a philosophical foundation for the pursuit of “real world” goals and the improvement of women’s lives––and, often times, men’s as well. In doing so, feminist theory’s primary method has entailed critical engagement with the western canon of political philosophy. Nonetheless, feminism has always been motivated by a concern for inequality and injustices in everyday life. Yet feminist political theory is not monolithic - there are many diverse and conflicting strands, based in disparate notions of what constitutes “the good life.” Liberal feminism, conservative feminism, radical feminism, marxist feminism, women of color feminism, Chicana feminism, queer feminism, continental feminism, existentialist feminism: these varieties, and others, introduce different concerns into debates over the relationship between the public and the private; the variety of possible relationships between men and women; the complex interplay between sex, gender, and the body; the roles of class and race and how they interact with gender; to say nothing of what unifies and complicates the category of “woman.” Because feminism understands itself to be fundamentally liberatory (that is, concerned with increasing liberty, specifically of women), our readings will focus on the theme of freedom. Specifically, we will consider 1) what it means to be a free political actor, 2) whether freedom is the highest political good, 3), whether, and how, freedom is compatible with other values, such as equality and justice, and 4) how different forms of government and political structures contribute to, or detract from, attempts to increase freedom.
Mon & Wed 4:00-6:00, Haines A18
Prof. Megan Gallagher
This course will survey a selection of major works in feminist political theory from the early modern period to the present. As a discipline, political theory concerns itself with questions of authority, fairness, justice, and power (among others); yet historically, women’s interests have been routinely ignored or subordinated to those of men. Feminist political theory challenges women’s absence, or assumed subservience, in political life. It seeks to provide a philosophical foundation for the pursuit of “real world” goals and the improvement of women’s lives––and, often times, men’s as well. In doing so, feminist theory’s primary method has entailed critical engagement with the western canon of political philosophy. Nonetheless, feminism has always been motivated by a concern for inequality and injustices in everyday life. Yet feminist political theory is not monolithic - there are many diverse and conflicting strands, based in disparate notions of what constitutes “the good life.” Liberal feminism, conservative feminism, radical feminism, marxist feminism, women of color feminism, Chicana feminism, queer feminism, continental feminism, existentialist feminism: these varieties, and others, introduce different concerns into debates over the relationship between the public and the private; the variety of possible relationships between men and women; the complex interplay between sex, gender, and the body; the roles of class and race and how they interact with gender; to say nothing of what unifies and complicates the category of “woman.” Because feminism understands itself to be fundamentally liberatory (that is, concerned with increasing liberty, specifically of women), our readings will focus on the theme of freedom. Specifically, we will consider 1) what it means to be a free political actor, 2) whether freedom is the highest political good, 3), whether, and how, freedom is compatible with other values, such as equality and justice, and 4) how different forms of government and political structures contribute to, or detract from, attempts to increase freedom.
Winter 2015
–Spring 2015
History M147D (also GS 147D): History of Women in the US, 1860 to 1980
Tue & Thur 12:30-1:45
Prof. Ellen Dubois
Introduction to major themes in history of American women from abolition of slavery and Civil War to rise and consequences of second-wave feminism.
Tue & Thur 12:30-1:45
Prof. Ellen Dubois
Introduction to major themes in history of American women from abolition of slavery and Civil War to rise and consequences of second-wave feminism.
GRADUATE COURSES
Fall 2014
–Spring 2015
History 213: Historicizing Masculinities
Wed 2:00-5:00
Profs Goldman & Norberg
This course aims to expose students to the newest branch of gender history: the study of masculinity. It focuses not on men per se (though they are certainly discussed), but rather on the values, practices, and texts that constitute masculinity as a gender. Readings will focus on a broad range of chronological periods from Antiquity to the 20th century and geographical areas including the Americas, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Topics discussed will include masculinities under colonialism, African American masculinities, men and pornography, dueling, men’s clothing and the male body, nationalist masculinities, and masculinity in science. The course is paired with a Department-wide colloquium speaker series. The colloquium will meet on Wednesdays between 12:00 and 2:00 PM, immediately prior to the course. Attendance and active participation in the colloquium is expected. The colloquium schedule is posted on the HWMS website under the rubric “events” or here. Grad students from all fields and departments are welcome. For further information contact the instructors, Andrea Goldman (goldman@history.ucla.edu) and Kate Norberg (knorberg@ucla.edu).
Wed 2:00-5:00
Profs Goldman & Norberg
This course aims to expose students to the newest branch of gender history: the study of masculinity. It focuses not on men per se (though they are certainly discussed), but rather on the values, practices, and texts that constitute masculinity as a gender. Readings will focus on a broad range of chronological periods from Antiquity to the 20th century and geographical areas including the Americas, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Topics discussed will include masculinities under colonialism, African American masculinities, men and pornography, dueling, men’s clothing and the male body, nationalist masculinities, and masculinity in science. The course is paired with a Department-wide colloquium speaker series. The colloquium will meet on Wednesdays between 12:00 and 2:00 PM, immediately prior to the course. Attendance and active participation in the colloquium is expected. The colloquium schedule is posted on the HWMS website under the rubric “events” or here. Grad students from all fields and departments are welcome. For further information contact the instructors, Andrea Goldman (goldman@history.ucla.edu) and Kate Norberg (knorberg@ucla.edu).