Course Details

Course offered Winter 2010

Honors 252 A: Comparative Ideologies: Human Rights Movements

Honors 252 A: Comparative Ideologies: Human Rights Movements

SLN 14153 (View UW registration info »)

Clare Bright (Gender, Women & Sexuality Studies)
Office: B-110 Padelford, Box 354345
Phone: (206) 543-6900
Email: cbright@uw.edu

Credits: 5
Limit: 25 students

Honors Credit Type

***COURSE FULL***
An exploration of the philosophies which have shaped the Black Liberation Movement, the Feminist Movement and the Gay Rights Movement in the United States. We will begin by looking at the ideological roots of these movements in earlier centuries then trace their development through their 20th century manifestations. Similarities and differences in these social theories will be analyzed along with the historical contexts in which they were and are invoked. We will also consider the political ramifications of utilizing particular paradigms to argue for social change.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:
To provide an overview of the sociopolitical philosophies which underlie the Feminist, African/American, and Gay movements in the United States.
To situate these paradigms in their historical context.
To assess which theories, concepts and arguments transcend the particular features of the individual movements and apply across their differences and which do not.
To develop the students’ ability to analyze, formulate and defend theory.
To assist students in examining their own sociopolitical beliefs and goals.

REQUIRED TEXTS:
Black Power Ideologies, John McCartney
Readings Packets (available at Prof. Copy, 42nd & U. Way)

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Class participation (30%): Be present and prepared for discussion. This means having each day’s readings completed by class time and coming with some ideas about them and about any assigned questions. Participation includes both thoughtful comments and active, respectful listening and an appropriate balance between them. One absence is permitted without affecting your participation grade.

Weekly response papers (30%): Each week questions or topics related to the readings will be given on which you will write approximately 2 typewritten pages. Graded credit/no-credit.

Group project (15%): Guidelines to be announced.

Final exam (take-home essay) (25%)