WOMEN’S STUDIES 190W

Introduction to Women’s Studies

Fall 2002

Western Illinois University

Professor: John K. Simmons, professor of religious studies

Office hours: MWF: 11:00-12:00pm & Thursdays, 1:50pm - 2:50pm; and by appointment

Email: j-simmons@wiu.edu (email checked everyday)

Office: WIU main campus = Morgan Hall, Room 412; phone: 309-298-1284

Women’s Studies office: Morgan Hall, Room 207; Phone: 309-298-2214

Web site: http://www.wiu.edu/users/mfjks (PowerPoint notes for the class)

Course description/objectives:

WS 190 is the introductory course in women’s studies with two objectives: 1) to introduce you to the field of Women’s Studies and invite you to major or minor in this fascinating and important discipline; 2) to explore how inspired human beings, from the dawn of consciousness to the present time, have struggled for equality, balance, justice, and freedom. While our interpretation of social, economic, political, and historical factors focuses on women and our perspective is feminist, the story you will “hear” in this course is about all of us, men as well as women.

Text:

Women in American Society: An Introduction to Women’s Studies, 4^th Ed., by Virginia Sapiro

Course requirements:

Attendance is required.

Exam #1: includes written portion – approx. the 5^th week of the semester = 25 points

Exam #2: computer-graded multiple choice – approx. the 10^th week = 25 points

Exam #3: includes written portion – final examination, finals week = 25 points

Paper: = 25 points

Total points: = 100 points

Examination format:

The material you need to know for the examinations will be drawn from the PowerPoint notes presented in class and from reading assignments given on Mondays for each week of class. Consequently, you need to attend every class session in order to do well in this course.

The format for exams #1 and #3 is: 15 computer-graded multiple-choice questions worth 1 point each; 8 short answer identifications, you answer any 5 worth 1 point each; one short essay worth 5 possible points for an exam total of 25 points. The format for exam #2 will be 25 computer-graded multiple-choice questions worth 1 point each for an exam total of 25 points. You will have at least 10 days notice before each exam and an examination review sheet will be handed out summarizing the material you need to be familiar with to do well on the exam. Except in documented, emergency situations, there are no make up exams given in this section. There is no possibility for extra credit. Please make the most of each class session and prepare carefully for the exams. If you have any questions at all during the semester, please don’t hesitate to stop by my office hours or send your questions via email.

Class paper:

The assignment is to write a 5-7-page story about your grandmother or other older, influential woman in your life. You may tell her story, relate a single life-changing event she experienced, or write about important lessons or insights she has taught you. More information will follow on this assignment.

WECOME, ONE AND ALL!