University of Connecticut

WS 263--Women and Violence -- Spring 2001
Syllabus

Course Description:

This class investigates the public nature of private violence as a way of examining how private experiences of violence are rooted in social conditions. Readings and class discussions focus on the various forms and consequences of violence against women, as well as resistance and positive action to challenge the culture of rape in which we live.

Comments and/or suggestions about the course or this syllabus should be sent to:

Marita McComiskey



PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU ENCOUNTER ANY LINK THAT DOES NOT WORK!
THANKS!




Class Information:

Important Information

You must have an email account and know how to use it.

If you need instructions on using email and/or the internet, there are courses offered at the Computer Center during the first few weeks of each semester.

There will be a few times throughout the semester when you may need to schedule meetings with your presentation group at a time and place to be determined by group.

Suggested Background Knowledge/Skills

Use of e-mail and the Internet will be briefly explained during the first class. If additional instruction is necessary, there are one hour basic courses offered at the Computer Center during the first few weeks of each semester.

A general understanding of sexism and how it relates to violence against women will be addressed throughout the course. Several Reserve Readings (RR) that provide background in this area are available in the Reserve Reading Section of the Women's Studies Library (room 410 Beach Hall) or Online through the ECR (Electronic Course Reserve).

Course Organization:

Topic--Week # 1 - Introduction to WS 263

Topic--Week # 2 - Sexism and Violence Against Women

Topic--Week # 3 - The Types of Violence Women Experience

Topic--Week # 4 - The Public Nature of Private Violence

Topic--Week # 5 - Are We Living in a Culture of Rape?

Topic--Week # 6 - Exploring the Continuum of Violence Against Women

Topic--Week # 7 - Rape On Campus and the Backlash to Discredit Those Who Name It

Topic--Week # 8 - Media Images of Women

Topic--Week # 9 - What Do Feminists Say About Pornography?

Topic--Week # 10 - Violence in Our Intimate Relationships

Topic--Week # 11 - Fear That Controls Us

Topic--Week # 12 - Feminist Analysis of Sexual Assault

Topic--Week # 13 - Working to End Violence Against Women

Topic--Week # 14 - Where Do We Go From Here?

Course Format/activities:

Lecture, class discussions, e-mail communication, Internet searches, group book panel project, class presentations, films, guest speakers, class exercises

Bart, Pauline, & Eileen Geil Moran (editors). Violence Against Women: The Bloody Footprints: Sage

Buchwald, Emilie, Pamela Fletcher, & Martha Roth (editors). Transforming A Rape Culture: Milkweed

Stout, Karen & Beverly McPhail (editors). Confronting Sexism and Violence Against Women : Longman

Kilbourne, Jean. Deadly Persuasion: Free Press

Lefowitz, Bernard. Our Guys: University of California Press

Levy, Barrie (editor).Dating Violence:Young Women in Danger: Seal Press

Russell, Diana (editor). Making Violence Sexy: Feminist Views on Pornography: Teachers College Press

Scully, Diana. Understanding Sexual Violence: A Study of Convicted Rapists: Routledge

Whalen, Mollie. Counseling to End Violence Against Women: Sage

Blood, Tuttle, & Lakey 1983 "Understanding and Fighting Sexism: A Call to Men" in Off Their Backs and On Our Own Two Feet. Philadelphia: New Society Press. p. 1-16

Davis, Angela 1983 "The Myth of the Black Rapist" in Women, Race, and Class. New York: Random House. p. 172-199

Frye, Marilyn 1983 "Oppression" in The Politics of Reality: Essays in Feminist Theory. Freedom, CA: The Crossing Press. p.1-16

Frye, Marilyn 1983 "Sexism" in The Politics of Reality: Essays in Feminist Theory. Freedom, CA: The Crossing Press. p.17-38

Kokopeli, Bruce & George Lakey 1983 "More Power Than We Want: Masculine Sexuality and Violence" in Off Their Backs and On Our Own Two Feet. Philadelphia: New Society Press. p. 17-24

Roiphe, Katie. "The Rape Crisis" in The Morning After. Boston: Little, Brown and Company p. 51-84

Russell, Diana 1980 "Pornography and Violence" in Take Back the Night. edited by Laura Lederer. new York: William Morrow Press. p.218-238

Scutt, Jocelynn, 1996 "The Personal Is Political" in Radically Speaking. edited by Diane Bell & Renate Klein. Melbourne: Spinifex Press. p. 102-110

Steinem, Gloria, 1990 "Sex, Lies, and Advertising" in MS. July/August. p. 18-28

Sites of Possible Interest on the Internet:

Additional Materials:

You will need access to a computer for word processing, e-mail, and connection to the Internet.

It is highly recommended that you have a disk to save all your computer work.

Student Evaluation:

In order to address different ways of learning and abilities of demonstrating the application of knowledge, a variety of evaluation methods will be used to assess your performance during this course.

Carefully read and re-read the guidelines for each component of the course that appear throughout the syllabus schedule. I have provided specific instructions to encourage you to do your best work, regardless of your particular learning style. The variety of grading criteria should enable you to demonstrate your academic strengths and to compensate for any areas in which you may have difficulty.


If you have any questions--ASK!
(Click on the above mailbox to send me a question, comment, and/or suggestion!)

At various times throughout the semester there may be opportunities to attend on-campus lectures and/or events for extra credit. Such events will be announced in class as they arise. Please let me know if you hear of any course related activities on or around campus.

Assignments/Papers/Exams

Class Schedule

Weekly Reading Assignments

E-mail Responses

Book Panel Assignment

Advertising Analysis

Midterm Exam

Final Exam

Course Policies:

Attendance
Class Agreement
Class Participation
Email Responses
Grading
Late Work
Plagiarism

Student Feedback

Student Feedback - This will be expanded throughout the semester as I receive your questions.

Send e-mail to: Marita McComiskey

Other Supplemental Material

As you discover glossary terms, references, books, media resources, Internet sites, and/or upcoming events related to course material, send me the details by e-mail and I will add them to the appropriate links.

As co-educators, we can all share in the process of teaching as well as learning.

Bibliography -

Calendar of Events

Computer Labs -

Course Expectations

Course Update Page

Critical Thinking Guide -

Glossary of Terms -

Internet Sites of Possible Interest

Media Resources -

Referencing

Women and Violence - WS 263

Marita McComiskey
mccomisk@uconnvm.uconn.edu
Women's Studies Program
University of Connecticut
Room 422, Beach Hall, Box U-181
354 Mansfield Road, Storrs, CT 06269
Office - (860) 486-1133 ~~~~ Fax - (860) 486-4789

Last Updated: 2000

Index	Comments	WSP