University of California, Los Angeles

WOMEN'S STUDIES DEPARTMENT:

WOMENS STUDIES 110A FEMINIST THEORY IN THE SOCIAL SCIENCES

SUMMER 2011: SESSION A

TUESDAY / THURSDAY 9:45AM 11:50AM DODD 162

Instructor:
Yamissette M. Westerband, M.A., M.S.W. Email: yamiwest@ucla.edu Office: Rolfe 1120L
Office Hours: Thursdays, 12:00PM-1:00PM

Course Overview and Objectives:

In this course, we will examine feminist analyses and critiques of social institutions, with a
focus on educational institutions. As a class, we will:
Examine how social identities influence educational experiences, with an emphasis on how racial
and gender dynamics impact educational trajectories.
Challenge and discuss concepts such as meritocracy, objectivity, racial microagressions, cultural
capital, and cultural deficit models.
Discuss pedagogical theories and practices.
Engage in discussions regarding the role of culture in education.

Course Requirements:
Class Participation: 20%
Self Reflection Paper: 35%
Group Presentations: 10%
In-Class Final Exam: 35%
COURSE WEBSITE Access through my.ucla.edu. All required readings will be available on the
course website.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING

Attendance and Participation Active participation in this course is very important. Therefore, you are
expected to attend all class meetings and come to class prepared to engage with the material. Attendance
and participation will count for 20% of the final grade. Please be on time to class. Please be respectful of
the classroom environment. Thus, the use of ipods, texting, etc, and the reading of newspapers are
prohibited in class. Students are allowed one unexcused absence, any additional absences must be
accompanied by supporting documentation (doctors note, etc).

A Note About Class Participation Some of the materials discussed in this course may be controversial in
nature. You may find yourself feeling moved, challenged or even uncomfortable with some of the material.
I encourage open class dialogue regarding course text. However, I ask that we all do so respectfully. This
means that while we can agree to disagree with our colleagues, we do so without attacking each other
personally. I also ask that we connect all comments and personal examples back to course materials and
illustrate how it is relevant to the course themes.

Group Presentations In each class meeting, a group of students will be responsible for presenting 1 of
the readings for that week to the other members of the course. Students will be assigned to groups during
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the first week. Group members will meet and decide on the sort of presentation they think will be most
effective, and then make their presentation jointly. The 15 minute group presentations will count for 10%
of the grade. I encourage you to be creative in your presentations, utilize media and interactive tools. Please
arrive early to set up your presentation if you will be utilizing media equipment and e-mail me a short
description 1 day before class describing how you will be presenting.

Final Exam There will be a cumulative in-class final exam on the last day of class. It will consist of
several short answers, several short essay questions, and one long essay question. The final exam will count
towards 35% of the total grade for the course. Please bring 2 bluebooks to class for the exam and do not
write on them.

Self-Reflection Papers The self-reflection paper will be an opportunity for you to engage in a discussion
of how you personally interact with the readings. In a 4 page paper, discuss if you are you surprised,
challenged, or disturbed by the material you have read. Do you agree or disagree? What have you learned
thus far? Do you identify with any of the material? Be sure to cite at least 2 sources from our readings to
discuss in your reflection. Please use 1 margins, 12-point Times New Roman font. Please be sure to
include page numbers. This paper will be due in class July 14. Please submit paper copies, no
electronic versions please.

A Note on Late Papers/Assignments:

Unless a written excuse for tardiness supported by a doctors note is provided, grades on late papers will be
reduced one notch for each day late. For example, if you write an A+ paper but hand it in one day late, it
will receive an A; two days late, an A-

COURSE SCHEDULE

Tuesday, June 21: Course Introduction

Introductory Discussion and Group Exercises

To Read For:
Thursday, June 23: Foundations
Readings:
Paulo Freire, Pedagogy of the Oppressed, Chapter 2
Margaret Montoya, Mascaras, Trenzas y Grenas
Angela Valenzuela, Excerpts from Subtractive Schooling: U.S. Mexican Youth and The Politics of
Caring. (Text is marked indicating where to read)
Solorzano, Effective Schools Framework

To Read For:
Tuesday, June 28: Early Educational Experiences and Influences
Readings:
Claude Steele, Stereotype Threat
Chavez, Undocumented Student Access
Solorzano, Racial Stereotyping

To Read For:
Thursday, June 30: Community College
Readings:
Rivas, Transfer Rates for Latina/o Community College Students

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 Trillo, Somewhere Between Wall Street and El Barrio
Herideen, Community College Realities

To Read For:
Tuesday, July 5: Undergraduate Experiences
Readings:
Smith, Yosso, Solorzano, Racial Primes
Yosso, Smith, Ceja, Solorzano, Racial Microagressions
Haleman, Single Mothers in Higher Education

To Read For:
Thursday, July 7: Undergraduates Continued
Readings:
Yosso, Undergraduate Stages of Passage
Bernal and Villalpando, An Apartheid of Knowledge

To Read For:
Tuesday, July 12: Outsiders in the Academy
Readings:
Turner, Guests In Someone Elses House
Espinoza, Good Daughter Dilemma
Quimby Predictors Well Being Nontraditional Students
Elenes, Classroom Pedagogy

To Read For:
Thursday, July 14: The Academy
Readings:
Turner, Women of Color in Academe

SELF-REFLECTION PAPER DUE TODAY AT BEGINNING OF CLASS

To Read For:
Tuesday, July 19: Sexuality and Educational Experiences
Readings:
Quinn, You Make Me Erect
Kosciw, Greytak, Diaz, Factors Contributing Hostile School for LGBT

To Read For:
Thursday, July 21: Sexuality Continued
Readings:
Blackburn, Agency in Borderland Discourse Queer Community Center
McCready, Understanding Marginalization Gay Black Males

Tuesday, July 26: Conclusions

Final Reflections, Review for Final

Thursday, July 28: In-Class Final Exam

Please Bring 2 blue-books and pen to class and please do not write your name on them
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