Moral and Philosophical Issues of Gender in Society (PHIL 275.001/WMST 275.001)

In this course we will explore and evaluate a number of important concepts in feminist theory. Specifically, we will look at feminist conceptions of oppression, sexism, gender, and knowledge, as well as at five paradigmatic approaches (liberal feminism, socialist feminism, radical feminism, cultural feminism, and postmodern feminism) to gender justice. Throughout the class we will be reading both historical and contemporary feminist texts. However, our efforts will not be merely an academic exercise where we will only study what others have thought. Instead, in this course you will be joining in an active and ongoing effort to better understand a world shot through with gender injustice and oppression, and how we should act in response to it.

Jen Kling’s webpage