Introduction to Third World Women & the Chicana Themes, Readings, Overview of the Semester ….

Feminism, Women, and International Politics—Themes & Readings Using a feminist perspective, the course explores the lives of Third world women in the U.S. and other parts of the world. The "Third World" is defined as countries in Asia, Latin America, and Africa Emphasis will be on globalization, social inequality and women's political action as well as how women of color perceive and redefine feminism in regard to race, immigrant status, class, and sexual orientation. The first reading, Gender & Globalization provides us with a critical feminist perspective and the vocabulary and concepts needed to examine the “politics of knowledge”

Reading Gender & Globalization: Each chapter provides a quick overview of feminist concerns from an anthropological point of view, a useful list of terms in the chapters and, a glossary and the end of each chapter. I will usually include an article, film, or other source for each week. The weekly quizzes will be easy (if you read)! Ten multiple choice/true-false questions and usually two questions requiring short answers. Review the glossary of terms We will read Gender and Globalization the first half of the semester and then have a mid term & return to reading some of the remaining chapters during the second half of the semester.

Reading: Colonize This! After the mid-term, I will assign each student to read sections of Colonize This! The book provides the first person narratives of young women of color, very different reading! Each essay provides a different point of view— feminists of color, lesbians, immigrant, working class, & Asians, Chicanas and African Americans Each student will construct a power point for an essay and post it.

Reading: Hear My Testimony Hear My Testimony provides an in depth account from a Salvadoran woman (as told to a feminist anthropologist who wrote the book) who was an activist during the Civil War in El Salvador You will write a short essay & address some key questions about her “testimony” and relate the story to our previous reading The intent is to have you “make connections” among the readings, concepts, and show that you read and comprehend!

Short Film: Tom Boy The last theme addresses Gender Roles, Sexuality, and Chicana/o Studies The assignment will be to view the film and critically reflect on your personal experiences and observations regarding gender roles Finally, you will consider how it relates to our other readings There is no Final exam, but you will write a Mini Research Paper—guidelines to be provided.