Gender and Violence

Catalog description

This course explores the public nature of private violence, specifically violence committed against women in U.S. culture. Students will investigate the social, political and personal meaning of violence within a gendered context. Throughout the course students will analyze the ways in which demographic, social, cultural, economic and political factors teach us to think about women in violent terms as well as help perpetuate violence against women. Students will consider violence not only in its physical dimension, but also in its symbolic and structural manifestations. Students will also examine the ways in which ideas about race, ethnicity, class and sexuality affect the degree and types of violence committed against women.