WS 539: Feminist Theories
Term Paper
Assignment  Identify a current news event (abducted children, the "war on terrorism"), cultural practice (coming out, campus social interaction, weddings), social/political movement (postfeminism, Christian fundamentalism, ecofeminism), representation (the portrayal of women in sci fi, gender in Telemundo novelas, lesbian comedians) or other object (your thesis project here) of sufficient import and complexity to provide an appropriate object for analysis. (Note that there is a lot of overlap in these rather arbitrary categories: the portrayal of women in various contexts is also part of a cultural practice.) Write an essay analyzing that object from no less than three distinct feminist theoretical perspectives represented in on our readings for the semester and others as you wish.

Method Begin by providing a succinct summary or description of the object of your analysis (the event, practice, movement, or representation). Then examine it from three distinct feminist theoretical perspectives, letting each of them reveal patterns, structures, insights. Begin each of the three sections of analysis with a short review of the theory/theorist in question, perhaps including some analysis of the kinds of "base" theories the author is drawing on. End by showing how one position or a combination of more than one theoretical position provides the best means for illuminating the dynamics of the object of study.

You will turn in a Prospectus for your paper on Wednesday, November 6. It counts as 5% of your total grade. You will present an overview of your analysis and argument to the rest of the class on Wednesday, December 11. Plan to take 10 minutes maximum per person to make this presentation. The finished essay is due on that same day; it should be 4000-6000 words long (20-25 pages double spaced). Use an acceptable documentation form (e.g., MLA or Chicago style).

Purpose  Your paper will give you an opportunity to demonstrate your familiarity with feminist theory and your ability to apply that theory to contemporary situations--to put theory into practice.

Evaluation  Your essay will be graded on its fulfillment of the terms of the assignment, its demonstration of your understanding of the texts we have read this semester, complexity of argument, organization, style, and mechanics. The Term Paper assignment counts as 50% of your grade for the class: 45% for the paper itself and 5% for the Prospectus.