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Women's Studies




"Women's studies" was first conceived as an academic Rubric apart from other departments in the late 1960s, as the " Second Wave " of Feminism gained political influence in the academy through student and faculty Activism . As an academic discipline, it was modeled on the American Studies and ethnic studies (such as Afro-American Studies ) and Chicano Studies programs that had arisen shortly before it. The first Women's Studies Program in the United States was established on May 21 , 1970 at San Diego State College after a year of intense organizing (women's Consciousness Raising Group s, rallies, petition circulating, and operating unofficial or experimental classes and presentations before seven committees and assemblies). Carol Rowell Council was the student co-founder along with Dr. Joyce Nower, a literature instructor. In the 1970s many universities and colleges created departments and programs in women's studies, and professorships became available in the field which did not require the sponsorship of other departments.

Women's studies has caused a great deal of debate. Advocates argue that it helps bring to light issues that were otherwise missing in the university. Critics charge that the courses tend towards Misandry and indoctrination, while limiting space for dissenting opinions. It is also sometimes regarded as a quasi-intellectual field of study by academics involved in traditional disciplines, men and women alike. Specific criticisms focus around the work done in the field which critics allege is unscholarly and the peculiarities of many of the specific professors (See Mary Daly and Catharine MacKinnon ).

Related fields include Gender Studies , Gender And Sexuality Studies , Men's Studies , and Queer Studies .


FURTHER READING

  • Florence Howe (ed), Mari Jo Buhle (introduction), ''The Politics of Women's Studies: Testimony from Thirty Founding Mothers'', Paperback edition, New York: Feminist Press 2001

  • Gabriele Griffin and Rosi Braidotti (eds.), ''Thinking differently : a reader in European women's studies'', London etc. : Zed Books, 2002

  • Ellen Messer-Davidow: ''Disciplining feminism : from social activism to academic discourse'', Durham, NC etc. : Duke University Press, 2002



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