Women’s Studies 222

Section 001: (3 credit hours)

Course Outline and Disclosure
Fall Term 2008
Tuesday and Thursday 1:35—2:50 P.M.
Room 1004 JKB

Instructor:  Karen E. Hyer, Ph.D., J.D.
karenhyer@msn.com

Office hours: Tuesdays 3:30—5:00 P.M. 
and by appointment

Preventing Sexual Harassment

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits sex discrimination against any participant in an educational program or activity that receives federal funds.  The act is intended to eliminate sex discrimination in education.  Title IX covers discrimination in programs, admissions, activities, and student-to-student sexual harassment.  BYU’s policy against sexual harassment extends not only to employees of the university but to students as well.  If you encounter unlawful sexual harassment or gender based discrimination, please talk to your professor; contact the Equal Employment Office at 378-5895 or 367-5689 (24-hours); or contact the Honor Code Office at 378-2847. 

 

Students With Disabilities

 Brigham Young University is committed to providing a working and learning atmosphere that reasonably accommodates qualified persons with disabilities.  If you have any disability that may impair your ability to complete this course successfully, please contact the Services for Students with Disabilities Office (378-2767).  Reasonable academic accommodations are reviewed for all students who have qualified documented disabilities.  Services are coordinated with the student and instructor by the SSD Office.  If you need assistance or if you feel you have been unlawfully discriminated against on the basis of disability, you may seek resolution through established grievance policy and procedures.  You should contact the Equal Employment Office at 378-5895, D-282 ASB. 

Women’s Studies 222
An Introduction to Women’s Studies

Instructor:  Karen Hyer	Section 1
Office:  Women’s Research Institute  1063 JFSB	T/Th 1:35—2:50 P.M.
Phone:  422-4609; 801-376-2831 (cell)	Room 1004 JKB
E-mail:  karenhyer@msn.com	Fall 2008
Office hours:  Tuesday, 3:30—5:00 P.M.                         and by appointment

Textbooks: 

• Virginia Sapiro, Women in American Society: An Introduction to Women’s Studies. 5th Edition.  Boston: McGraw Hill, 2003.  (WIAS)
• Louann Brizendine, The Female Brain.  New York: Broadway Books, 2006.  (FB)

Background for course:

Over the last four decades, women’s studies programs have become increasingly popular in the United States.  The success of the U.S. programs has encouraged the consideration and beginning of programs in some developing countries.    Historically, academic institutions in this and other countries have ignored the specific study of women in the scholarly disciplines.  Women’s studies arose to give attention to “women’s issues” and encourage scholarly investigation in all academic disciplines.  What have been traditionally considered to be “women’s issues,” are in actuality issues that affect everyone -- men, women, and children -- in all cultures and societies.  This course, therefore, is a course that will investigate issues that are wide-ranging and inclusive.  Some of the topics may challenge the assumptions and perceptions that affect how women are traditionally treated.  Other topics may open ideas as to new possibilities and opportunities for women that affect the direction of a society.  

Purpose of this course:

This survey course will introduce students to the issues and questions that form the bases for scholarly work in women’s studies.  We will try to understand why our society functions as it does and how sex and gender affect societal norms.  We will explore women’s studies scholars’ perceptions and work on these issues.  You may not always agree with some of these ideas, but you are encouraged to critically analyze and discuss these points of view from a scholarly perspective.  All of the issues we discuss could easily be explored in a semester-long course, though we will only introduce the topics.  The hope is that you will at least begin to appreciate the complexity of the arguments, the conflicts, and both the personal and political natures of issues related to women.  It is hoped that, as you pursue your respective academic disciplines, these issues will become a part of your analytical framework and scholarly interests.

Requirements: 

You will benefit most from this survey course if you are engaged with the material; therefore, I ask that you keep up with readings, assignments and papers.  I will not accept late work. This policy provides you with the incentive to keep up, is fair to all, and will allow me to give due attention to the tasks at hand.  This course requires a collective responsibility for the investigation and sharing of insights on topics that affect us all.  It is important that all participate so that we have the opportunity to hear everyone’s reasoned point of view.  All paperwork is to be typewritten—no handwritten work will be acceptable.  Please proofread all of your written work, as typographical, spelling, and grammar errors will reduce your points.

• Issue Papers: Every other week, you will turn in a 1-page Issue Paper, single-spaced that explores an issue in your reading or from class.  These papers are intended to help you synthesize information, opinions and research findings.  You are encouraged to use the Internet and library references for your findings.  Writing in advance of the deadline and keeping notes about your reading and your thinking will help you write.  Each paper will be graded on a 10-point scale, but double weighted for a total of 100 possible points over the semester.  I expect university level work and will deduct for spelling and grammar errors, for incomplete citations, and for sloppy presentation.
• Mini-research assignments: You will spend some time doing assignments that are intended to help you make connections between this class and the larger community.  Some assignments will get you to the library or to other scholarly activities on campus; others will simply require you to observe or carry on some qualitative research.  You will turn in a half page discussion highlighting what you learned and how it relates to class and larger issues.  The bottom half of the page should list the references for your mini-research.  Each paper will be graded on a 10-point scale, but will be double weighted for 100 possible points.  Research should be current, dated within the last 6 months.
• Group presentations: You will be assigned to do two 30-minute group presentations during the semester.  Each group will need to develop an outline (checked with me at least one week in advance) focusing on a related issue to that week’s topic.  I expect the work to be substantial, well thought out, creative, and well presented.  The group presentation is intended to augment the materials in the texts with new information, research, and events.  Groups are to provide handouts for the class.  I suggest you get started early and push your group members to contribute equally.  Your participation in each group presentation can earn 75 points giving 150 points over the semester.
• Term Paper: In lieu of a final examination, you will be required to write a paper of 10 to 15 pages of double-spaced text that is carefully thought out, written and referenced.  Illustrations, charts, tables and references will not count toward the text requirement.  You must clear the topic with me before you begin.  You are encouraged to use the latest references and sources, especially dated within the last 12 months.  A style sheet will be given with strict guidelines for preparing the paper.  You will lose substantial points if these guidelines are not followed to the letter.   Because of the notice and timing of this assignment, there will be no acceptable excuses for lateness or sloppy work.  Get started on this project early in the term.  You may turn it in at any time.  This is your opportunity to show the depth of your ideas and to relate your thoughts to the topics we have covered or will discuss in class.  You are encouraged to be creative, use charts and graphs, and illustrations. The paper can earn up to 250 points.
• Brief Oral Summary You will be required to give a timed 5-minute oral presentation to the class on your paper.  You are encouraged to use visual aids or computer-generated presentations.  The instructor and the class will grade you on this presentation. You will lose points if you go over time.  This activity can earn up to 50 points.
• Attendance:  I will take role every day.  You will receive 7 points for attending class.  If you are late, 5 points will be deducted.  If you actively participate in the discussion, you can earn from 1 to 5 additional points.  If you bring a relevant clipping or announcement on the day’s topic to share with the class you can earn an additional 1- 5 points (Please make copies of article to pass out to class).
• Other expectations: This course covers issues and problems that you may not have considered and that may strike some in the class as extremely personal and political.  We will agree that none of our views, whether in agreement or disagreement, will hinder our healthy discussion of these issues.  You are encouraged to critically assess our discussions and question our reasoning.  If you have concerns, please see me so that I can better articulate or assist in our collective understanding.

Due Dates:

Thursdays:	Papers:		Group Presentations:
Sep 18	Issue #1	1.	Sexuality and Relationships
Sep 25	Mini Res. #1	2.	Reproduction and Family
Oct 2	Issue #2	3.	Health, Fitness, and Beauty
Oct 9	Mini Res. #2	4.	Education
Oct 16	Issue #3	5.	Media
Oct 23	Mini Res. #3	6.	Law and Policy
Oct 30	Issue #4	7.	Communication
Nov 6	Mini Res. #4	8.	Consenting Adults and Violence
Nov 13	Issue #5	9.	Religion
Nov 20	Mini Res. #5	10.	Work
THANKSGIVING WEEK—NO CLASSES
Dec 9	TERM PAPERS DUE
Dec. 2, 4, 11	ORAL PRESENTATIONS

Grading:

Participation will be very important for a good grade in this course.  To allow everyone the opportunity to do well, assignments and activities will be given point scores.  Points will be allocated on the basis of quality of work.  The class may participate in assessment but it is the ultimate responsibility of the instructor to allocate points for a given exercise.  It is possible to earn extra credit.  The following is a list of the total possible points that can be earned for each activity: 

Total Possible Points:

Term Paper (1):	250
Attendance (28):	196
Group presentations (2):	150
Participation (28):	140
Issue Papers (5):	100
Mini Res. Assignments (5):	100
5 Minute Oral Presentation (1):	50
Shared information sheets (10 max.)	50 (these are graded as extra credit)
Total possible points	986

FINAL COURSE GRADE:

The final course grade will be a composite of the points obtained divided by the total score of 986 (possible points minus the extra credit points). The following “flat” scale will be used to calculate the final course grade (the lowest numbers of points needed for a given grade are shown):

A	=	95-100%	946 pts		B-	=	79-82%	778
A-	=	91-94%	897 pts		C+	=	75-78%	739
B+	=	87-90%	857 pts		C	=	71-74%	700
B	=	83-86%	818 pts		C-	=	67-70%	660

CLASS SCHEDULE:

Class #:                       Date                TOPICS/ACTIVITIES

                        T          25        FI        NO CLASS  (Friday Instruction)

                        Th        27                    THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY