Global Women Writers- Misogyny Across Borders

Catalog description

Global Women Writers will take an intersectional approach to understanding how misogyny and internalized misogyny impact the lives of women across the globe. Misogyny is defined as an extreme prejudice and contempt against women. What misogyny looks like can drastically shape shift as we cross borders and boundaries. In this course we will read three novels, two of them recently published, by and about women. Our authors will include: Roxane Gay, Marita Golden, Alice Walker, Ay`bmi Adby` and Julia Alvarez. We will probe the diverse experience of the characters in these novels to understand what commonalities exist for a woman in the United States versus the United Kingdom. We will consider how various factors of identity and geographic location effect the experience of women. Further, how do barriers that impede women's growth economically, spiritually, emotionally, personally or otherwise translate in different locales? For each novel we will discuss historical and culturally relevant context. Students will read theoretical texts from bell hooks, Kimberl Crenshaw, Crystal Feimster, and other scholars. We will engage in discussions around key terms such as misogynoir, misogyny, feminism, domestic abuse and others. Student will read extensively, participate in class discussion, complete a significant writing project, research, and complete a range of other assignments, including presentations, homework, and quizzes. Students are expected to grapple with interesting and challenging questions and debates.