CE5432: Philosophy of Feminism

School Continuing and Professional Education
Department Code LEARN
Module Code CE5432
External Subject Code 100337
Number of Credits 10
Level L4
Language of Delivery English
Module Leader Dr Michelle Deininger
Semester Spring Semester
Academic Year 2020/1

Outline Description of Module

Does biology or identity determine sex?  Is sex really binary?  Do women have anything of social and political significance in common, regardless of class, race, sexuality etc.?  What does equality require?  Is affirmative action justified?  We will explore ethical and political questions concerning sex and society.  No previous philosophy required.

On completion of the module a student should be able to

By the end of the period of learning, the typical student will be able to:

  • demonstrate an understanding of core elements of the course material;
  • identify central questions in feminist philosophy and key positions addressing them;
  • evaluate ethical and political claims concerning men and women in the context of historical and contemporary discussions;
  • understand the connections between sex, sexuality, race, class, disability etc. in the context of debates in moral and political philosophy;
  • understand relevant empirical findings and discussions of their philosophical implications;     
  • bring the insights of philosophy to bear on questions concerning women, the law and public policy.

Intellectual Skills:

By the end of the period of learning, the typical student will be able to:

  • analyse the structure of an argument;
  • critically evaluate an argument;
  • compare and contrast different positions on an issue;
  • adjudicate disputes.

Discipline Specific (including practical) Skills:

By the end of the period of learning, the typical student will be able to:

  • critically read and analyse a philosophical text;
  • use philosophical vocabulary appropriate to the subject matter of the specific course;
  • formulate and defend a philosophical thesis;
  • constructively discuss philosophical ideas with others.

How the module will be delivered

This course is taught in 10, two-hour sessions, delivered on a weekly basis.

There will be a mixture of lectures and seminars, the precise proportion to be determined by the needs of the students enrolled. The seminar element may include debate, discussion, group activities, presentations and readings. Additional reading material will be recommended and a reading list will be supplied. If appropriate, other materials such as documentaries may also be included. Course handouts will be provided as appropriate.

The seminars will encourage the development of knowledge and understanding of the ideas and concepts discussed in the course. Intellectual skills will be encouraged through participation in class discussion, reading and coursework.

Skills that will be practised and developed

Academic Skills:

By the end of the period of learning, the typical student will have:

  • found relevant resources in the library and online;
  • assessed the reliability of different sources of information;
  • demonstrated a critical approach to academic texts.

 

Transferable/employability Skills:

By the end of the period of learning, the typical student will have shown that s/he can:

  • recognise, analyse and criticise arguments;
  • explain and defend a view clearly and concisely whether orally or in writing;
  • respond constructively to disagreement;
  • evaluate claims in the context of historical and contemporary debates concerning women;
  • formulate useful questions in the context of philosophical theory, empirical findings, the law and public policy.

 

How the module will be assessed

Issue identification  5%   Question Formulation                     Various

Issue analysis of 400-500 words  20%  Case Study               Agreed by week 3/4 and submitted in week 6/7

Paper   ,300-1,500 words   75%          Paper                          Set by week 5/6 and submitted shortly after end of course

 

Assessment Breakdown

Type % Title Duration(hrs)
Written Assessment 100 Coursework N/A

Syllabus content

We will be concerned with questions concerning women, society and the state. Discussion will be informed, as appropriate, by classical and contemporary philosophy, including feminist approaches, empirical work in the human sciences, public policy and the law.

 

The following list of sample topics illustrates the kind of subject matter which may be discussed but the specific issues selected will vary. The questions listed for each topic are intended as representative examples of relevant issues and are not intended to exhaust those which might be discussed.

 

Fundamental concepts

  • Sex.
    • What exactly distinguishes a man from a woman?
    • Is sex really binary?
    • What are sex roles? Are these a function of biology or social construction?
    • What implications do intersex, transgender and transsexual individuals have for a correct analysis of our concept of individuals’ sex?
  • Oppression.
    • What is oppression?
    • How do different forms of oppression, such as racism, sexism and homophobia, interact?
    • What is intersectionality?
    • How are bias, prejudice, discrimination and oppression related, what effects do they have and what should be done about them?
  • Language.
  • Equality & rights.
    • What does it mean to say that men and women are equal?
      • Does sexual equality differ from, say, racial equality?
    • What does equality require?
      • What does it require in general?
      • What does it require in the case of sex in particular?
    • Are there specifically women’s rights?
  • Feminism.
    • What makes a perspective feminist?
    • How does a feminist perspective differ from a feminine one?
    • What challenges do lesbian, trans and other perspectives pose for ‘mainstream’ and feminist conceptions of women, and how are they challenged by them?

 

Applications

  • Feminist perspectives on abortion, crime and punishment, parenthood, pornography, procreation etc.
     

Philosophy

  • Feminist work in epistemology, ethical theory, moral psychology and political philosophy.    


The course may draw on case studies and examples from fiction and non-fiction to illustrate the theoretical positions  discussed and students are encouraged to draw further examples from their own experience.


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