AP/ANTH 3230 6.00 Women, Culture and Society
This course examines a variety of theoretical and ethnographic approaches to the intersectionality of womanism, class, sexuality, and race that developed out of and/or intensified by settler, colonial, scientific, political, religious, and (trans)national developments. We will begin with the nature vs culture debate, questioning and critically assessing anthropological concerns over female bodies, sexualities, gender identities, statuses, and labour. We will carefully consider the roles, duties, and statuses of women within their families and within larger society, paying critical attention to structures of power and inequality. This course draws attention to the contributions of feminists from various subdisciplines, in addition to feminist anthropologists, to gain a deeper and holistic understanding of diverse and, at times, conflicting perspectives on women’s perspectives on and experiences of gendered violence, gender identities, labour, and digital lives. In the winter term, we will look at women as social icons and influencers, women’s desires for belonging and social change, while navigating aspirations for friendship, intimacy, and stability. We will conclude our course by engaging with current directions in feminist anthropology, such as decolonizing research methodologies, collaborations, community work, and social activism.
Course Director (Fall/Winter 24-25): L. Davidson – lmdavids@yorku.ca