For my part, I will serve as a classroom moderator rather than lecturer. I will read the same readings and will participate with you in the discussions, helping to steer them in fruitful directions so that we can get the most out of our class time together. These two sections of U.S. Traditions are also cross-listed in Women's Studies. In this class we will be looking at the lives of women and how their interests have and have not been served by those in positions of power. We will also read about examples of women's agency, ways in which women have expressed their voices.
Gender issues affect men as well as women.
A Women's Studies course like this one studies how gender is socially made and how gender is intimately related to issues of power, oppression, and agency. Attendance is mandatory, and I will count off five points for each class missed after 2 absences. Each of these essays are to be 3-4 pages, double spaced and typed. You are welcome to show me a draft of your essay and I encourage you to meet with me during my office hours. You will be assigned your essay topics in class and we will take class time to go over fundamentals of writing an essay.