Gender, Politics, & Philosophy (221-0-20)

Instructors

Pascal Brixel

Meeting Info

555 Clark B03: Mon, Wed 2:00PM - 3:20PM

Overview of class

This course is an introduction to feminist philosophy, with a focus on broadly political questions. What is gender oppression? Why is it wrong? What are its causes? And how could we overcome it? We will read and critically discuss both historical and contemporary texts addressing these questions. The course is divided into three parts. In the first part, we will study some fundamental concepts of feminist theory, including oppression and its structural character; intersectionality and the heterogeneity of social groups; and culture, universalism, and imperialism. In the second part of the course, we will study a classic of feminist philosophy, Simone de Beauvoir's The Second Sex. In the third part of the course, we will explore one topic within feminist philosophy in greater depth: the relation between gender and work. We will study sociological theories of capitalism and gender divisions of labor as well as political-philosophical debates about gestational labor and sex work.

Evaluation Method

Final Paper

Class Materials (Required)

Class materials must be purchased.

Book to be purchased: Simone de Beauvoir, The Second Sex. All other readings available on Canvas.

Class Attributes

Ethical and Evaluative Thinking Foundational Disci
Global Perspectives on Power, Justice, and Equity
Ethics & Values Distro Area

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Pre-registration -- Reserved for Philosophy students.

Associated Classes

DIS - TBA: Tues 11:00AM - 11:50AM

DIS - TBA: Tues 12:00PM - 12:50PM