The course is designed both for those who have heard something about feminism and want to learn more, and for those who already know a lot about feminism but want to know even more. The course is suitable both for feminists and for those who say, “I’m not a feminist, but...” Even if you do not share feminist views, the course may still be interesting to you — you will better understand what exactly you are or are not ready to agree with.
Course Learning Outcomes
You will learn about the feminist worldview and the achievements of feminism. You will learn to understand why feminism matters specifically to you, why women still put up with a subordinate position, and what women need to do in order to change this.
Knowledge and Skills Assessment Format:
Course participants take part in discussions of the session topics, prepare reports and presentations, as well as a Final Course Project on a course-related topic chosen independently or suggested by the lecturer. Final Course Project topics may focus on the life paths and achievements of famous women, current examples of violations of women’s rights in different countries, or an analysis of why it can be difficult to adopt a feminist worldview. The lecturer will provide an extended list of specific possible Final Course Project topics for the course.
Course Topics
- Why does feminism lag behind other liberation movements, and why has a feminist revolution still not happened?
- What is feminism? How did the feminist movement emerge, and what has it already achieved?
- Feminist movements of the 20th and 21st centuries. How do liberal, radical, and intersectional feminism differ from one another? What do they have in common?
- What is patriarchy, and why is it harmful to women? Manifestations of patriarchy in the family, the state, and religion. Why does patriarchy still exist? Is it possible to destroy patriarchy, and how can this be done?
- What does androcentrism mean, and how does it manifest itself? Why is it important for women to develop a gynocentric view of the world? How do seemingly familiar traditions, such as changing one’s surname after marriage, make life worse for all women?