Courses > Women's Studies Courses

Girlhood: Feminist Perspectives

Girlhood: Feminist Perspectives introduces students to the emerging field of Girlhood Studies focusing on the social, political and cultural relations that shape girls' lives and experiences. Specific focus will be placed on notions of quality of life, femininity, agency and subjectivity. Students will explore how the intersectionalities of gender, age, race, class, ability are central to contemporary Girlhood Studies . This course will focus on and give voice to girls in their own life contexts. To date, girls have not occupied their own space within women's studies or children's studies. Further, dominant discourse concerning girls often lacks a gender-based analysis, and represents malestream and/or adultist theories about girl's nature and children's place in society in general. Girls are more commonly spoken for and about as a homogenized group without agency and without the recognition of the complex power relations that weave through their diverse experiences. With the continual refinement of children's studies and women's studies in North America, there is a resurgence of interest regarding girls and girlhood. This course will introduce students to Girlhood Studies and will focus on the social, political and cultural relations that shape girls' lives and experiences. Specific focus will be placed on notions of child rights, femininity, agency and subjectivity. With these critical questions in mind, students will engage in several areas of inquiry and dialogue including : advocacy, child rights, marginalization, ageism, violence, mental health, body image, sexuality, mental health, environmental health, gender, sport, education, societal marginalization and the impact on quality of life. Films, guests, presentations, debate, field trips, the use of photography and other aesthetics, self-directed inquiry and engaged class participation together create the framework within which students will explore how the intersectionalities of gender, age, race, class, ability, sex and sexuality, etc are central to contemporary Girlhood Studies.

Learning Outcomes

In this course students will:

- critically analyze current/hegemonic conceptualizations of girl, and girlhood
- explore the emerging field discipline of girlhood studies and the various girls movements in Canada
- examine a cross-section of the issues and subjects examined in feminist scholarship across both the
- examine how the intersectionalities of gender, race, class, abilities, sex and sexualities, age, etc., are central to contemporary Girlhood Studies.
- Expand their awareness of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and apply this treaty to their critical analysis and understanding of girls lives.
- Critically analyze conceptualizations and dominant theories regarding girls .
- Develop an awareness of various girl movements in Canada
- Analyze the values, assumptions, and beliefs surrounding adult-derived versus child/ youth derived programs, literature and policies.
- Acknowledge and discuss how themes of difference, diversity, and societal marginalization impact on girls health and quality of life.
- Critique health, social, educational, and economic policy decisions as they impact the lives of girls
- Critique and make recommendations for change with respect to current developments, policies, trends, practices and programs which are meant to "address" girls' issues.

Example Texts/Readings:

Mitchell, C., and Reid-Walsh, J. (2008) Girl Culture: An Encyclopedia Vol I and II. Conneticut: Greenwood Press

Jiwani, J., Steenbergen, C. & Mitchell, C. (Eds) (2006). GIRLHOOD: Redefining the Limits. BlackRose Books, Montreal, Que.

Currie, D., Kelly, D., & Pomerantz, S. (2009). GIRL POWER: Girls Reinventing Girlhood. Peter Lang Publishing, New York.

Aapola, S., Gonick, M. & Harris, A. (2005). YOUNG FEMININITY: Girlhood, Power and Social Change. Palgrave MacMillan, New York.

Lipkin, E. (2009). Girls' Studies. California: Seal Press

Brown, L. (2008). The "Girls" in Girls' Studiies" Girlhood Studies, Volume 1, Number 1, Summer 2008 , pp. 1-12(12)

Driscoll, C, (2008). Girls Today - Girls, Girl Culture and Girl Studies. Girlhood Studies, Volume 1, Number 1, Summer 2008 , pp. 13-32(20)

Marshall, E, (2009). Consuming Girlhood: Young Women, Femininities, and American Girl. Girlhood Studies, Volume 2, Number 1, Summer 2009 , pp. 94-111(18)