Sociology 334: Women's Experience in the U.S. (4 units)

Instructor: Anita M. Hanawalt, Ph.D.

  • Office: ULV Chapel Organ Loft
  • Office Hours: By Appointment.
  • E-Mail: hanawalt@ulv.edu

ULV Catalog Course Description

Women's Experience in the U.S. is an interdisciplinary introduction to women's studies scholarship, exploring the cultural and social diversity found among women and examining the ways in which gender, ethnicity, race, social class, sexuality, age and physical disability intersect to define and modify women's realities in the U.S.

Course Goals and Learning Objectives

By the end of the course, participants will have an introductory understanding of:

  • the interdisciplinary core concepts, theories and methods of women's studies.
  • the experiences and contributions of women from various social classes, sexual identities, age groups, racial identities, physical abilities, and ethnic groups.
  • the cultural, social and political forces that influence and shape gender.
  • the legal and policy achievements and political activism of women in their struggle for justice and equity.

Required Text:

Women's Voices, Feminist Visions, by Susan M. Shaw and Janet Lee, 4th Edition
©2009, ISBN-13 9780073512280

Requirements:

Weekly Assignments:

  1. Read the assigned chapter(s) in the text.
  2. Write a one page journal entry based on one of the readings from the assigned chapter(s) in the text.
  3. Post a 2-3 paragraph response to a Making Connections question or an Idea for Activism on the Discussion Board, also making a substantive response to a classmate.

One-Time Assignments:

  1. Post an Introduction on the Discussion Board, also including a substantive response to a classmate. Your introduction will help our class to begin building an online learning community.
  2. Post a Midterm Interview on the Discussion Board, also including a substantive response to a classmate. Conduct an interview of at least 7 questions with a woman working in your field or a field you are interested in entering.
  3. Take a Final Exam on Blackboard containing questions from each chapter of the text (multiple attempts are allowed).
  4. Post a Term Paper on the Discussion Board, also including a substantive response to a classmate. Plan and carry out one learning activity chosen from the many learning activities described in the text, drawing on your learning throughout the entire class. Include your reasons for choosing the activity, how you planned for the activity and your reflections after completing the activity in a 2-3 page reflection paper.
  5. Post in the Farewell Forum on the Discussion Board, also including a substantive response to a classmate. Take this opportunity to reflect on what you have learned and to thank your classmates for their posts.

Assessment:

Term Grades will be determined using the following point system:

Introduction

2

Making Connections

36

Final Exam

20

Journal

20

Midterm Interview

10

Term Paper

10

Farewell Forum

  2

Incomplete Grade Policy
To request a grade of Incomplete (INC) in this class, you must complete an INC contract before the end of the term, have participated until the last day to withdraw from the class, and have completed at least 50 points out of 100. Please see the ULV Policy on the grade of INC: http://www.ulv.edu/catalog/aca_info/grades.phtml.
Grading Scale:

94-100%

A

90-93%

A-

87-89%

B+

84-86%

B

80-83%

B-

77-79%

C+

74-76%

C

70-73%

C-

67-69%

D+

64-66%

D

60-63%

D-

0-59%

F

Academic Honesty:

Academic honesty is required of every student on every assignment completed for this course. Students who break the academic honesty policies as described in the current University of La Verne Catalog will be subject to a possible failing grade on an assignment, in the entire course, or may even be subject to dismissal from the school, depending on severity. If you have questions on academic honesty, please consult the ULV Catalog or contact Dr. Stephen Lesniak, Dean of Regional Campus Administration.