Anthropology 639

Fall semester 2002

Dr. Phyllis Chock

The course will examine two anthropological approaches to problematizing gender: the social/cultural construction of gender, and the historical/sociological construction of gender. Topics include explanations of

a) gender inequalities across cultures (e.g., the relations of reproduction hypothesis, the culture/nature hypothesis, the domestic/public spheres hypothesis, the prestige-structures hypothesis) and

b) differences among women within cultures (e.g., various impacts of the state or social/economic transformations upon gender roles, relations, and ideology).

The course will also examine critiques of social/cultural anthropology from feminist perspectives in anthropology, as well as problematics of feminist anthropology. Ethnographic cases concern relations among gender and the body, nationalism, global economy, and history.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Reading assignments for grad students will be designed for class and seminar participation. Papers required of graduate students include three short papers (5-6 pp. each) on readings and a seminar paper (15 pp.) on a topic chosen in consultation with the instructor. The short papers are to critically discuss the assigned readings; topics will be assigned and papers will be prepared to be given for the seminar.  Please bring a copy of the paper for all seminar members on the day it is to be read and discussed. Seminar papers will be given in a full-draft at the last two classes; after final revisions are made, based on in-class critique, these papers are due December 5. Grades will be based on class preparation and contribution (20%), short papers (15% each), and seminar paper (35%).

My office is located in the Marist building, room 3; my office hours are M 10-12, W 10-12. I am also available by appointment.  My e-mail address is chock@cua.edu .  E-mail is the best way to reach me.

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