WOST 306 Practicing Feminism: A Study of Political Activism (Same as ArtS 306 and Political Science 306) (Not offered 1998-99; to be offered 1999-2000)

This course will explore the issues and problems of putting feminism into practice. What constraints and opportunities confront feminists as they struggle for social change? What are the sources of and limits on their power? How and when do they choose to compromise and negotiate or object and fight? How are these issues represented in the culture through the press, through other media, through art? We will examine issues such as organizational dynamics, budgetary and administrative constraints, client-staff interactions, power and dependency, and mother-child-family relationships. Students will do fieldwork at community agencies involved in health care, social services, and work. A variety of interactions with these organizations are encouraged, ranging from administrative and service work to public art projects that might raise awareness of feminist issues in the community. Requirements: fieldwork, weekly 1-page discussion paper, final project. Prerequisites: Women's and Gender Studies 101. Enrollment limited to 15 with preference to women's and gender studies concentrators.