Characterize the four "waves" of feminism, using Rampton's "Four Waves of Feminism" as your guide. What were some of the distinctive themes, challenges, debates, etc., at the center of each "wave"?
1) 1880s-1930s: Suffrage-Seneca falls, Cady Stanton and Sojourner truth2) 1960s-90s): Anti-war, civil rights, minority consciousness, sexuality and reproductive rights-critiquing patriarchy, capitalism, heteronormativity-colored conscience 3) 1993 - ?: Dismantling universal womanhood; girls & readopting of heels and lipstick-multicultural feminism, rejecting standardization4) ? -redefinition of feminism as equality, public discourse in media, "Time's Up
What does Frye mean by "sex-marking" and "sex-announcing")? Provide an example of each. (Recall: Frye doesn't distinguish between "sex" and "gender")-
sex-marking: outward signs that we wear that indicate that we identify with a given sex Ex.) wearing a purse, nail polishsex-announcing: outward actions that indicate our identification with a given sex Ex.) discussing nail or hair appointments, looking to other women for approval/advice about outfits; experiences that we talk about "as a woman
List the six dimensions of Powers and Faden's conception of well-being, briefly explicating each. Offer an example of how challenges to two or more facets of well-being can intersect in the life of an individual, compounding negative effects on their flourishing.
6 Dimensions =1) Health: physical, mental, social health; public health and clinical medicine2) Personal Security: injustices that infringe upon another's rights/security, threat of danger3) Reasoning: practical and theoretical skills that help us take a critical, self-reflective stance (preferences, values, ideals) 4) Respect: treatment of others as dignified, moral beings deserving of equal moral concern5) Attachment: ability to form bonds at the level of friendship, emotional engagement, compassion6) Self-Determination: ability to lead a self-directed life guided by one's own choices & values; helmswomenProblems: -Health as a factor of multiple forces in ones childhood/socio-economic-political status, unable to self-determine (stuck under depression)-not respected by some = internal attack = inability to form social attachments-Practical reasoning is necessary for self-determination
Name and briefly explain the four characteristics of "political responsibility" set out by Young in "From Guilt to Solidarity." What "parameters" of political responsibility does Young set out? How might they be helpful as we attempt to gauge our own political responsibility to rectify particular injustices?
4 Characteristics of Political Responsibility (Iris Young):1) not isolating those who are "responsible": most/many harms are the result of millions of people and defunct situations2) questioning the normal conditions: what injustices exist as a result of the "normal"?3) look forward, not back: does not blame or praise but looks to results of our actions contribute to injustice4) shared responsibility: we're all accountable for making changes or perpetuating injustice in social & pol processesParameters:fault model = blame/responsibility is assigned to agents whose actions are causally connected to the situationv.strict liability = individuals held accountable, even when they don't intend the outcomeINSTEADWe should look at connections, power, and privilege in our actions HELPFULbecause they situated everyone as liable and sharing in responsibility to rectify situations
Explain the difference between "sex" and "gender".
KIMMELsex = biological identification at birth, pertaining to either male or female genitalia gender = a spectrum of historically, culturally constructed categories referring to masculinity and femininity, and the meanings that are attached to each based on culture/society
What is meant by the "gender binary"?
This refers to the normative stances of society in assuming a clear distinctinction between masculinity and femininity with little to no room for interpretation, as wholly opposite, disconnected entities
gender identity (example?)
The gender with which an individual identifies himself/herself/theirself/etc., such as female/woman/girl, male/man/boy, gender fluid, genderqueer, gender non-conforming, transgender, or any other identityex.) I identify as female, a trans friend from grade school identifies himself as male
gender expression/presentation (example?)
The manner in which an individual expresses and presents himself/herself/theirself/etc., akin to societal/cultural standards of femininity and masculinity ex.) Some think that Caster Seminya is a masculine-presenting woman; Patrick Starr is a feminine-presenting man
transgender
JULIA SERANOAn individual who lives as, identifies with, and/or expresses themself with a different gender than the sex with which they were born at birth ex.) Serano, born as a male, now identifies as female
genderqueer
an adjective describing someone who may or may not subscribe to conventional gender distinctions/the gender binary but identifies with neither, both, or a combination of male and female genders
gender nonconforming
an adjective describing someone whose gender identity and/or expression differs from societal expectations about gender roles; i.e. identifies outside the binary
sexual orientation
a person's romantic and emotional attraction to another person, either toward members of one's own sex (homosexual), the opposite sex (heterosexual), or other
gender affirmation processes (gender reassignment)
the process of undergoing clinical surgical treatment and/or hormonal therapy to convert one's genitalia (sex) into those of the gender with which an individual identifies
intersex
an adjective describing individuals who have sexual organs and functions somewhere between male and female elements, often including elements of both
hermeneutical injustice ( "systemic" vs "incidental")
MIRANDA FRICKERthe injustice of having some significant area of one's social experience obscured from the collective understanding because of a structural prejudice in society that fails to theorize or interpret accurately; results in marginalizationsystemic = those hermeneutical injustices that are apart of the broad pattern/fabric of a society, that often intersect to marginalize an individual or group (ex. economic, pol, edu, prof, etc.) (Carmita Wood)incidental = one-off experiences that center around a specific area of an individual's experience (ex. a run-in with the cops)
hermeneutical lacuna
MIRANDA FRICKER: gaps in our shared meaning and interpretation, improper understanding of an event or experience, a "gap"ex.) depression (for a long time), women's sexual harassment
cognitive disablement
MIRANDA FRICKER: an inability to name or fully recognize/understand a specific (or pattern of) action(s) or experiences of other people, is a result of the hermeneutical lacuna, creating a cognitive disadvantage in wrapping one's head around/properly identifying an experienceex.) harasser not having a proper understanding of how he's treating her
What, according to Miranda Fricker, is "hermeneutical injustice"? How do 'systemic' cases of hermeneutical injustice differ from 'incidental cases'? In discussing hermeneutical injustice, use Fricker's example of Carmita Woods. Contrast Woods with her harasser who, though he too was beset by "cognitive disablement," was not (according to Fricker) thereby subject to "hermeneutical injustice.
(see other notecards)-harasser's cognitive disablement allowed him to suit his purpose, but it wouldn't render him epistemic & moral bad luck-Carmita's cognitive disablement led her to hermeneutical injustice because she was unable to make sense of her ongoing mistreatment, and as a result, lost her job, was unable to get a new one, and continues through the vicious cycle of soc/pol/econ injustice
What is Ruth's distinction between traditional (which we called de jure) and the contemporary (which we called de facto) understandings of "patriarchy"?
SHEILA RUTHde jure (traditional)- Christian ideal, classical ideal including temperate, social order, rights, responsible, intelligent, rational, tranquility, ordinate amount of courage, strength & spiritde facto (contemporary) - Warrior Imperative- Machismo Syndrome - No sissy stuff (no femininity) - Get rich, famous, and successful - Be tough, study, and reliable - Enjoy violence, aggression, and boldness
We have used the term "normative masculinity" throughout the semester. What does this mean? Note: Ruth refers to one version of this as the "Patriarchal Ideal of Masculinity". Give three examples of traits you believe are seen by many as normatively masculine.
Normative masculinity refers to the commonly held beliefs about the way men are supposed to act, think, behave, feel, etc. with regards to themselves, each other, society, and womenIncludes: - aggressiveness/toughness, emotional repression, and sexual potency
We have used the term "normative femininity" throughout the semester. What does this mean? Note: Ruth refers to one version of this as the "Patriarchal Ideal of Masculinity". Give three examples of traits you believe are seen by many as normatively feminine.
Normative femininity refers to the commonly held beliefs about the way women are supposed to act, think, behave, feel, etc. with regards to themselves, each other, society, and menIncludes: - timidness/frailty, emotional, chastity, dependence(rapidly changing!)
Ruth writes, "The images of women in our culture are fraught with contradiction" ("Images of Women in Patriarchy," p. 83). Briefly explain the "contradiction" Ruth sees, which she also refers to as an "undercurrent" of "ambivalence".
SHEILA RUTHThe Mother: tender, fragile, loving, loyalThe Playmate: seductive, compliant, naughty, slightly aggressive and dangerousThe Wife: expected to be all of the aboveUndercurrent of ambivalence refers to the contradicting images patriarchal society has created for women (the masculinist-defined woman), that women are encouraged to fulfill, fraught with impossibilityFurthermore, it refers to a mixture of feelings that men are "supposed" to feel toward women including need, contempt, guilt, anger, fear, lust, and love
Explain briefly, in your own words, how you understand Sojourner Truth's challenge to concepts of 'womanhood' in asking "Ain't I a Woman?"* Use the dramatic reading offered by Alfre Woodard as your reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vr_vKsk_h8
I understand Truth to be invoking her audience to step outside of the "female substrate" for a while to think about other definitions of and for women in society. By the female substrate, I mean the normative expectations that women be white, weak, married, child-rearing, successful homemakers. She challenges her audience to consider other women - black women - and how they, too, are child-rearing, matriarchs of the family; however, she pushes the boundaries by implying that women can also be strong, and are deserving of just and equal rights by nature of their humanity (and, by the fact that they can do any work a man does)
How does Sandra Bartky define the kind of shame she explores in her essay, "Shame and Gender"? Name two important characteristics of shame as Bartky characterizes it.
: particular to women; a type of pervasive, psychic distress caused by oneself or by the "Other" (those external to us) in which one feels inferior, defective, or diminished- Affective atunement to the social environment, arises when we fall short of standards that define us or ones that we aspire to Characteristics include:feelings of inferiority, inadequacy, and physical vulnerability when one's inherent worth/being is questioned
Explain one claim "Miss Representation" makes about the harmful impact of media on girls and women. What evidence does the film offer for this claim?
The media promotes the image of the Fighting F*cktoy as one of the few possible avenues by which women can be strong & independent; in addition to promoting the fact that strength and independence are coupled with hyper-sexualizationRepresentation: Women in-studio vs. men at-home
Briefly state one recommendation "Miss Representation" makes to improve the situation of girls and women.
Encourages more representation of women of all walks, encourages us to speak up and step out and educate our daughters?
Explain one claim "The Mask You Live In" makes about a harmful pressure or constraint placed on men and boys. What evidence does the film offers for this claim?
Common phrases like "Be a man" "Boys don't cry" "Man up" bifurcate men's heads from their hearts, and encourage them to become emotionally constipatedex.) Joe Ehrmann (Dallas Cowboys); boys in the high school circle; evidence of the Great Setup (why are we surprised that men end up as rapists and misogynists)
Briefly state one recommendation "The Mask You Live In" makes to improve the situation of boys and men.
Quit the toxic masculine talk, encourage boys to express healthy emotional connections with other men
What does Sheffield mean by "sexual terrorism"? Briefly list and explain two of the five "components" of sexual terrorism Sheffield highlights, indicating how she understands each in the sexual context.
CAROLE SHEFFIELD: a system by which males frighten and dominate females; a coercive means of influencing the thinking and actions of females surrounding fear of sexual violence, abuse, harassment, rape, assault, etc.; one never knows when it's coming, a constant looming fear of constant sexual dangerex.) laundromat at night2 of the 5 Components include:3) Indiscriminate violence and amorality: females are portrayed as the recipients/targets of sexual terrorism, which in turn perpetuates sexual violence (in addition to the fact that these crimes rarely go punished by law enforcement)5) Perceptions of the terrorist and the victim: blaming the victim and excusing the offender
Drawing on Georgetown's Policy Statement on Sexual Misconduct https://georgetown.app.box.com/s/fem8xwhcozsn38awxqur), define the following: a. Sexual harassment b. Sexual assault c. Consent. List four (of the many) principles of "interpretive guidance" GU sets out to help determine whether consent is given)? d. Force e. Name three options a student has in reporting sexual misconduct. http://sexualassault.georgetown.edu/undergrad-report
a) Sexual harassment = a form of discrimination based upon sex; any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature, including sexual advances, request for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual orgender-based natureb) Sexual assault: a forcible or non-forcible sexual act or sexual contact that occurs without the consent or permission of the other person, includes: use of force, incapacity to receive consent, threats, unconscious, knowing that they wouldn't give consentc) Consent: words or overt actions indicating a freely given agreement to the sexual act or sexual contact in question, including alcohol intake, a verbal NO, past relations do not equal current consent, incapability of consent if asleep or unconsciousd) Force: the use or threatened use of a weapon; the use of such physical strength or violence as is sufficient to overcome, restrain, or injure a person; or the use of a threat of harm sufficient to coerce or compel submission by another persone) Those may report to: confidential (CAPS, Jen Schweer)semi-confidential (Chaplains and ministry)non-confidential (GUPD)
What does Crenshaw mean when she refers to "intersectionality" as an "analytical sensibility" (Crenshaw, "Why Intersectionality Can't Wait")?
KIMBERLE CRENSHAWBy analytical sensibility, she means that intersectionality allows us to think about identity(ies) and their relation to power, and how some identities are rendered invisible by various power structures
intersectional analysis
KIMBERLE CRENSHAWexploration of the ways race, class, sexual orientation, gender identity, etc. impact an individual and one's treatment in society
Intersectional identity
KIMBERLE CRENSHAWan identity that falls at the intersection of two or more demographic groups
Prototypicality (who is implicit prototype of a social category/identity)
KIMBERLE CRENSHAWa mindset in which one assumes neutral or presumed models of a category, or prototypes for what a category should/shouldn't look like ex.) black (male), (white) female -> where are the (black) (women)?
Intersectional invisibility/erasure
KIMBERLE CRENSHAWthe phenomenon that occurs when an identity that falls at the intersection of two or more demographic groups is rendered invisible; it is "erased" from the public consciousness because it falls in between the cracks of prototypes
What are two intersectional dimensions of your own identity? Identify the dimensions in terms of social categories: gender, age, ethnic background, bi/multilinguality, cultural heritage, class, being a first generation university student, etc..
FemalePuerto-RicanAfrcian-AmericanUpper-Middle Class2nd gen university student
Reflect on two contexts in which what is intersectionally salient for you is different.
Intersections of my biracial heritage, difficult to bridge the divide between Latina and African-American (being enough)Intersections of my identity as a Chicago south-sider from a financially privileged background -> being ostracized, unconsidered as a "real" South sider by kids who live in more dangerous neighborhoods
Define "androcentrism" and offer an example of it.
: the action or ideology of situating masculinity/the male experience as the normal, and situating it as the focal point of society/culture/pol/econ/religion/etc.ex.) plurality of medicines available to stimulate male pleasure, very few for female use; medicinal testing, etc.
Working with DiAngelo's "White Fragility":a) What is "White Fragility"?b) What is "racism"?c) What is "Racial Comfort"?d) What is "Racial Arrogance"?
ROBIN DIANGELOa) White fragility: a state in which, due to the fact that white people have not built up the stamina to confront their race (society caters to them), minimal stress becomes unbearable and triggers defensive or emotional responsesb) Racism: structures and beliefs that perpetuate an unequal distribution of privileges, resources and power between whites & non-whites, elevating white people over those of color c) Racial comfort: the ease that accompanies identification with a race (white race) that happens to be the prototype/standard/prioritized/salient one in society-characteristics include racial belonging, psychic freedom, and individualismd) Racial arrogance: the belief (conscious or subconscious) of an entitlement to racial comfort that results in disagreement and defensive confrontation rather than humble investigation
What are implicit attitudes and associations? How do they differ from explicit attitudes and associations?
Implicit attitudes and associations are those that are often covert, unstated evaluations that we carry with us consciously or subconsciously, that may speak to structural understandings of societyThey differ from explicit ones because they are not overt actions or statements, they often motivate the actions or statements we perform
Microaggressions: what are they? Define.
DERALD SUE: subtle insults delivered consciously or subconsciously that are directed toward people of color; occur in everyday interactions and often speak to racial inequities and may seem insignificantGERALD TAYLOR: behaviors that communicate or perpetuate prejudicial attitudes or biases, meaning that they are not explicitly stated
Gerald Taylor writes of microaggressions (see class handout), ...."Microaggressions, always carry...a kind of social freight that imbues them with meaning that extends beyond the local contexts in which they occur" (p. 3). Explain and provide one example.
I interpret this to mean that microaggressions carry with them truths that speak about structural injustices or misconceptions about race on the wholeBorrowing from Fricker, microaggressions speak to systemic issues in society that are pervasive around a community, nation or country, and are not simply incidental Ex.) Joe DeGray's trip to the grocery store
Derald Wing Sue specifies a form of microaggression he calls "microinvalidation". What is this? Provide an example.
: communications that exclude, negate, or nullify psychological thoughts, feelings, or experiential realities of people of color-> My favorite is "we're all one humanity" because as much as I'd like to believe this, by saying so we're invalidating and outclassing the experiences of individuals who haven't felt "equal" as a member of humanityEx.) My high school and "One children under God" w/ microaggressions
Wing Sue characterizes three "dilemmas" that make microaggressions uniquely challenging to address. What are two dilemmas (or challenges) he highlights? Note: Sue frames the discussion in terms of race, but you may frame your answer in terms of other axes of group identification (e.g., gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, etc.)
3) Perceived minimal harm of racial microaggressions (overreaction or misperception -> gaslighting of the recipient of the microaggression)4) Catch-22 of responding to them (double bind of striking back or letting it go, Joe DeGray & the angry black woman)
What is "psychological oppression" (sometimes - as in Liebow - called "internalized oppression")?
: phenomenon that occurs when a person internalizes the oppressive prejudices and biases about their identities that leads to physical violence, depression, and intragroup discrimination-damages one's view of themself as a moral agent and deserving of worth, leads to diminished sense of agency
Briefly capture and describe three forms internalized oppression can take, drawing on Liebow (who also draws on Bartky).
Physical violencedepressiondecreased sense of self-worth?