Course Description
Summary
Feminism imagines a world free of gender-based oppression and injustice. But what exactly does such freedom involve? In this course, we鈥檒l investigate the interplay between gender, feminist theory, and philosophical views about freedom. Some prompting questions include: Is individual freedom enough? What does ubiquitous pornography mean for sexual freedom? How does politics shape desire? (How) should we rethink the family and the work? Does feminist freedom require freedom from gender? Throughout the course we will explore various contested conceptual terrains, such as: agency, affinity, body, equality, difference, desire, freedom, power, sexuality, and work. We will use philosophical tools and methods to come to grips with some of feminism鈥檚 continuing critical questions. Likely readings include work by: bell hooks, Judith Butler, Talia Mae Bettcher, Patricia Hill Collins, Andrea Long Chu, Shulamith Firestone, Sophie Lewis, Chandra Mohanty, Jennifer Nash, Gayle Rubin, Amia Srinivasan, Kathi Weeks, and Iris Marion Young.
