WGSS 310 - Gendered, Feminist, and Womanist Writings

Cross-Listed as ENGL 362

Implicit in much of this century’s feminist critical analyses of the state of societies and their politics is a desire for a better state yet-to-be (utopia) as well as a fear of catastrophe or nightmare (dystopia). This interdisciplinary course investigates how women’s writing from different parts of the world (Bangladeshi, English, African-American, to name a few) convey visions of the present and future, of the real and the imagined, beliefs about masculinity and femininity, race and nation, socialist and capitalist philosophies, (post) modernity, the environment (ecotopia), and various technologies including cybernetics. The collection of texts provides us with a genealogy to analyze our own place in the world and to construct visions of sociopolitical change. The course offers an opportunity to link with local minority/women’s organizations. Alternate years. Prerequisite(s): Junior standing or permission of instructor, and at least one intermediate-level WGSS core course. (4 Credits)