OAKTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE

HUMANITIES 140 COURSE SYLLABUS

                                                                                                                                                               

1.            Course         Course                  Course

                Prefix            Number               Name                                            Credit           Lecture Lab

                HUM              140                 Introduction to                                 3                      3                0
                                                        Women’s Studies
(Women’s and Gender Studies Concentration)

2.         Prerequisites

None

 

3.            Course (Catalog) Description

               Course introduces the interdisciplinary field of women’s studies that seeks to understand 
                    and challenge gender inequalities.  Course traces the philosophical, literary and historical 
                    emergence of the women’s studies discipline to explore the many ways it has addressed our 
                    cultural experiences.  IAI H9 900

 

4.            Learning Objectives

After completing this course, students will be able to:

A.    Describe the historical emergence and basic concepts of competing feminist

theories and apply these theories to contemporary issues.
B.    Explain how these theories lead to different strategies for ending the subordination   of

women.
C.    Critically evaluate these theories and be able to formulate and argue for their own       positions.
D.    Analyze a broad selection of feminist literary works.

E.    Evaluate the historical relationship between women’s writing and the development    of the women’s studies discipline.

F.    Discuss interconnections between gender, race, ethnicity, class, and sexuality.

G.    Demonstrate a familiarity with the historical development of the Women’s Studies         discipline and how it has transformed gender discrimination in a number of areas.

H.    Exhibit values related to teamwork and collaboration, fostered by the pedagogy of       shared-inquiry and critical dialogue appropriate to the humanities and philosophy.

 

5.         Academic Integrity

Students and employees at Oakton Community College are required to demonstrate academic integrity and follow Oakton’s Code of Academic Conduct. This code prohibits:

·            cheating,

·            plagiarism (turning in work not written by you, or lacking proper citation),

·            falsification and fabrication (lying or distorting the truth),

·            helping others to cheat,

·            unauthorized changes on official documents,

·            pretending to be someone else or having someone else pretend to be

you,

·            making or accepting bribes, special favors, or threats, and

·            any other behavior that violates academic integrity.

 

There are serious consequences to violations of the academic integrity policy. Oakton’s policies and procedures provide students a fair hearing if a complaint is made against you. If you are found to have violated the policy, the minimum penalty is failure on the assignment and, a disciplinary record will be established and kept on file in the office of the Vice President for Student Affairs for a period of 3 years.

Details of the Code of Academic Conduct can be found in the Student Handbook.

 

 

6. Outline of Topics

See attached Tentative Course Schedule

 

7.    Methods of Instruction

a.      Lectures and class discussion

b.      Small group work

c.      Films, online articles and other materials

d.      Attendance at public forums, workshops or presentations

e.       Guest speakers

8. Course Practices Required:

f.       College-level Reading of scholarly articles, literary works, etc.

g.      Writing (minimum 15 pages)

h.      Basic Computer Literacy

i.        Email

j.        Observation and analytical skills

k.      Critical Thinking

l.       Memorization of information

m.    OCC Event: 4/21-Art & Activism Event: Keynote: Strike Anywhere

n.     OCC WHM Keynote Address: 3/22- Amy Richards/Gloria Steinem

o.     OCC WHM Events: Rosa Luxemburg or Kita y Fernanda (choose 1 for Reflection #4)

 

Participation/Attendance:

This course resembles the “seminar” more than the “lecture,” and therefore particularly depends on the students arriving on time and prepared, and volunteering their experience, knowledge, and viewpoints in large and small groups, discussions, and exercises

 

Written Work:

All written work must be typed, double spaced, 12 pt font, 1 inch margins, page #’s and written with proper grammar and spelling. If submitted electronically they must be in a .doc or. docx, otherwise papers will not be accepted. I will only accept hard copies of written work on the date the assignments are due. Exceptions are made in emergency situations and must be pre-approved by the instructor.

 

Late Work Policy

A student is responsible for all work missed during an absence.  It is the student’s responsibility to obtain any missed notes, assignments, or information in the event of an absence. I recommend you exchange contact information with someone in class in order to get missed information in the event of an absence. A student who anticipates an absence should notify the instructor or academic department prior to the absence.

Work is due whether or not you are present in class.  Assignments will lose 1 letter grade if submitted late. I do not accept any late assignments that is more than ONE WEEK late. Additionally, I DO NOT allow revisions on papers or exams.

If necessary and with proper documentation students in unforeseen circumstances may make up a missed exam. Make up exams will be held in the Testing Center and will be entirely essay based questions. Students cannot make up quizzes, homework, and other in class assignments.

 Any exceptions to the above late assignment policy will be made solely at the discretion of the instructor and will be considered only in the most serious circumstances. 

 

Extra Credit:

There will be ample extra credit opportunities throughout the semester. I will announce these opportunities in class and via email.  Students can earn points by attending outside events and writing a short response paper on their experience.  Student can earn up to 4 points in extra credit for the semester. Extra credit handout is available on my dept. website.

 

Email: It is extremely important that students check email regularly. After the 1st day of class students must update their preferred email address in Oakton’s Banner. Likewise, email should be checked prior to coming to class for any changes to the course schedule, announcements, and other course related events.

 

Assignment Requirements:

Quizzes & Homework (50 pts)

To encourage attendance and participation, students will be given a “pop question” quiz at the beginning of class on random days during the semester. Additionally, homework assignments will also be counted towards your participation & attendance grade. Pop quizzes cannot be made up and I do not accept late homework.

 

Critical Reflection Papers (100 pts)- Students will write 5 critical reflection papers throughout the

semester on specified readings/topics.

Students will choose one event during WHM for one of the reflections (Rosa Luxemburg or Kita y

Fernanda). This is a REQUIRED EVENT so please mark your calendars accordingly.

A handout with further detail will be provided during the first week of class.

 

Herstory paper (50pts) (5 pages), you will write an essay based on an interview with an older

woman in your family. The purpose of this assignment is to have you learn more about an older

woman whose experience and understanding are available to you as an inheritance. A handout with

further detail will be provided.

 

Class Reading Group Project (100 pts)

This assignment has two objectives: 1. To expose students to feminist literature 2. To actively

participate in feminist collaboration in a group setting. More details will be given in a separate

handout. Books should be purchased by the 2nd week of class.

 

 

Women’s History Month Keynote: Amy Richards/Gloria Steinem (100 pts)

Students are required to attend OCC’s Women’s History Month Keynote address on

March 22. Students will write a 3-4 page report on different aspects of the event. This assignment will be discussed in further detail. A detailed handout will be provided.

 

Exam (100 pts)

Students will have 2 exams that will be a combination of multiple choice, short answer, and essay

questions to test your retention of knowledge, in addition to your ability to critically think and engage

with texts, authors, and ideas.

 

9.    Instructional Materials (Students are expected to buy the following texts or borrow

them from a library (or a friend) during the times they are needed).

 

Baumgardner, Jennifer, Richards, Amy, Manifesta: Young Women, Feminism, and the Future (10th anniversary ed.) ISBN 9780374532307

Freedman, Estelle, The Essential Feminist Reader, ISBN 9780812974607

Chin, Staceyann, The Other Side of Paradise, ISBN 9780743292917

Online articles, videos, and other resources

Films, novels, essays, short stories

 

10.       Methods of Evaluating Student Progress

                Final course grade will be calculated as follows:

                50 pts- Quizzes, Homework, & Participation (25 pts small group, 25 pts quizzes & hw)

                100 pts- Critical Reflection Papers (5 @20 pts each)

                100 pts- Exam (2@ 50 points each)

                50 pts- Herstory Paper

                100 pts- Reading Group Project

                100 pts- WHM: Amy Richards/Gloria Steinem

               

SCALE: 500-450 pts= A; 449-400= B; 399-350= C; 349-300= D; 299 or less= F

 

 

11. Other Course Information:

Instructor Information

Instructor:  Angela Koon                                                                 Office:  A213 (Group Offices)

Semester:  Spring, 2012                                                                  Office Phone: 847.635.1435 (lv.message)            e-mail:  akoon@oakton.edu                  Office Hours:

website: http://www.oakton.edu/user/1/akoon/              T&TH  8:00-9:15 am

Women’s and Gender Studies:                                                    T&TH  1:50-2:50 pm OR by appointment.

http://www.oakton.edu/academics/special_programs/wom_gen_studies/index.php

 

Cell Phones, PDA’s, and Laptops

Silence and put away phones when you come to class.  NO TEXTING IN CLASS!

If you are using a laptop to take notes while in class I expect that you will not be playing

games, surfing the net, or doing other non-class related activities. If I find that you are doing any of

these I will ask you to forego the use of your laptop in class for the duration of the semester.

 

Discrimination

The Oakton Community College Catalog states:

“Oakton Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national

origin, disability, age, sex, sexual orientation, or marital status in admission to and participation in its

educational programs, activities and service, or employment practices.  The College does not tolerate

sexual harassment or sexual assault by or of its students or employees.”

 

Climate for Learning

In keeping with this policy of tolerance and non-discrimination, in this class all of us (myself included)

should strive to listen and give careful consideration to all ideas expressed in class, especially those

that are different from our own, without attacking or demeaning the people who have those views. 

We should also strive to avoid using insulting terms or remarks when talking to or about individuals or

groups.

 

Disabilities

If you have a documented learning, psychological, or physical disability, you may be entitled to

reasonable academic accommodations or services.  To request accommodations or services, contact

the ASSIST office in Instructional Support Services, area 2400.  All students are expected to fulfill

essential course requirements.  The College will not waive any essential skills or requirements of a

course or degree program.  Please make your instructor aware of any documented disability you may

have so that she may assist in these accommodations.

 

Spring 2012 Academic Calendar—Key Dates

January 17
Spring 2012 semester classes begin

February 12
Last day to withdraw from 16-week courses and have course dropped

from record.

February 12
Last day to change to audit for 16-week courses

February 19
Incomplete (I) grades from fall 2011 semester for which faculty have

not submitted final grades will become an "F" after this date.

February 20
Presidents' Day holiday, College closed.

March 11
Last day to withdraw with a "W" from 16-week courses; Students will

receive a grade in all courses in which they are enrolled after March 11.

March 12 – 18
Spring recess

May 10, 11
Evaluation Days†

May 11
Last day of student attendance

 

ALL STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR COURSE GUIDELINES, AS SET FORTH IN THIS SYLLABUS.  PLEASE REVIEW THE SYLLABUS, ON A REGULAR BASIS.