WS 5320:  Feminist Research Methodologies

Spring Semester, 2003

Feminist Research Methods Home

Course Schedule

NEW: Theory Resources

Class Resources

TOPIC

Rebecca Rickly

Interdisciplinary Studies Master's Degree with an Emphasis in Women's Studies

Women's Studies Resources

Texas Tech University Library

Texas Tech University

Catalogue Description: An interdisciplinary study of methods, analyses and critiques used by feminist scholars to study feminist issues within and across a range of traditional disciplines.

Purpose: This interdisciplinary course focuses on the visions and methods that feminist scholars use to study feminist issues within and across a range of traditional disciplines: history, arts, humanities, sciences, education, health, economics, law, etc. Course participants will read and discuss how feminist scholars rethink analytic paradigms and create new theoretical models to guide their work.

We will review feminist theory briefly; if you would like to immerse yourself further, I suggest the following texts:

Tong, Rosemarie Putnam (1998). Feminist thought: A more comprehensive introduction (2nd ed.) Boulder, CO: Westview.

 

Humm, Maggie (1990). The dictionary of feminist theory. Columbus: Ohio State University Press.

 

To register or to find out more about Women's Studies at TTU, contact Esther Lichti at (phone: 742-2404 ext. 278; email: elichti@hs.ttu.edu)

Course Objectives: This course is designed to assist students to:

1. Examine how knowledge is constructed and deployed.

2. Examine how interdisciplinary feminist perspectives inform research methods.

3. Examine how feminist analysis redefines traditional categories and disciplinary concepts through its attention to gender and other social categories social as race, class, culture, sexual orientation, and age.

4. Explore practical guidelines for feminist interventions for social change and policy revision.

5. Find, formulate, limit, and state a research problem from a feminist perspective; conduct critical literature reviews; and select/combine appropriate research methodologies informed by the course readings and discussion and with an understanding of research design parameters for procedures to collect, analyze, interpret, and present information.

Course Issues and Topics

The following questions will be addressed in the course and will guide discussions of reading assignments:

1. Are there feminist methods?

2. What counts as evidence? What sources do feminist scholars look to for information?

3. What do we do to the objects of our research?

4. What questions guide feminist research?

5. What is the relationship between the object of research and the researcher?

Course Requirements & Evaluation: (Guidelines for each will be provided.)

20%	Preparation for class with reading assignments completed, and at least one weekly response on TOPIC	Due Weekly
20%	Conduct a search on a specific research problem - prepare an annotated bibliography on a feminist issue, paying special attention to how this problem has been researched	Due March 5
20%	Critique 3 journal articles each with a different research design to make explicit how they are or are not examples of the use of feminist methodologies	Due April 9
20%	Propose a reserach project, paying special attention to what the issue is, how it might be best explored (or resolved, if possible), and how feminist research is appropriate	Due April 17
20%	Final: Write & present a preliminary research proposal including the proposed research design	Due May 1

 

Readings:

Required Text:

Reinharz, S. (1992). Feminist methods in social research. New York: Oxford University Press.

Hesse-Biber, S., Gilmartin, C, and Lydenburg, R. (1999). Feminist Approaches to Theory and Methodology. Oxford University Press.

Other Readings: Students may be required to read electronic sources, and I will make them available to you in advance, normally linked to the schedule.

We will use TOPIC communication in this course to:

(Use ATLC terminals or your own computer & modem or hardwired dorms).

1. Connect with others in this class

2. Send resources to others and receive them, too.

3. Ask questions, get feedback, or give comments & feedback

4. Respond to the readings

5. Critique the work of others

6. Turn in work

We will use email communication in this course to:

(Use ATLC terminals or your own computer & modem or hardwired dorms).

1. Connect with others: professors, students, listservs (both informal and scholarly exchanges)

2. Send resources to others and receive them too.

3. Ask questions, get feedback, or give comments & feedback

4. Network with a global community

Required Equipment:

Students must have access to a standard tape recorder and should purchase at least two 60-minute tapes.  Students must also have access to a computer with Internet access and all students should have an email address.

Attendance Policy:

Attendance is very important and required. We only meet once a week! Much of the content of the course happens in class. In-class experiences can not be made up. Students will be expected to arrive on time and be present for all class sessions. Two absences or reoccurring lateness will mean that a letter grade will be deducted from the final grade for each additional absence. If you need to be excused from class for religious reasons or due to TTU sponsored activities, TTU policy asks that you provide a written note prior to the absence and make up the work.

Attendance at professional conferences in your field is encouraged; therefore your absence in class for such attendance is excused with prior arrangements.

Academic Integrity:

Americans with Disabilities:

Health and Safety Policy:

Every effort will be made to comply with the intent of state laws or acts and the University Health and Safety Program in an effort to maintain a safe academic and working environment. Information and awareness of safety factors will be included in the course content when applicable. Know before an emergency happens if your insurance requires you to use a specific hospital's emergency room. The campus emergency number is 9911. 

This course has been updated by Rebecca Rickly, 2003

The original course and teaching material was created by Karen Keifer-Boyd © 2001. Her notes, syllabus, course plans, PowerPoint presentations, and WebCT online supplemental content may be used and adapted by those teaching WS 5320: Feminist Research Methodologies with acknowledgement.  To see the original course, please click here.

The literature review online material was created by Karen Keifer-Boyd © 2001 with assistance by Bonnie Reed, Sandy River, Kathy Stalcup, and Jennifer Castleberry.