Course Syllabus

Illustration by Julio Salgado, commissioned by the #Health4All campaign.

University of Washington | Bothell | Winter 2023

Histories and Movements of Gender and Sexuality (BISGWS 302A)

Dr. Julie Shayne (she/her/hers) | Faculty Co-coordinator, Gender, Women & Sexuality Studies

GWSS on Facebook | GWSS on Instagram | GWSS on our canvas page 

Class meeting times and location | in person | Mondays & Wednesdays | 3:30-5:30 | UW1-202

Office hours: No appointment needed | Mondays 2:00-3:00 pm, in person UW1-142 and Wednesdays, via zoom 2:00-3:00 pm (mtg id: 94873976810). Or, if neither of these times work, email me to set up a different time: jshayne@uw.edu

Class description: This class introduces students to some of the histories, locations, themes, and complexities of women, queer, and trans activists organizing for social justice. Movements discussed will come from a cross-section of locales around the world and represent varied articulations of protest and resistance. Cases will include: women in anti-slavery and Black liberation movements; women in armed revolutions; labor activism; embodied and human rights protests; gender and sexual justice activism, and feminism. Cases studied span Latin America & the Caribbean, Southern Africa, the Middle East, and the US. 

Recommended preparation: While there are no formal prerequisites for this class, experience with feminist studies will greatly enhance your learning and increase your chances for success in this course. Given that this is a 300 level, core GWSS class, it is your responsibility to remain an active learner; one who asks questions when she is confused and seeks clarifications when things are unclear. There are several readings included on the first day for students who have never taken a GWSS class that I highly recommend you read if you intend on keeping this course and have never taken a GWSS class. 

Student Learning Goals ~ By the end of the course, students who put in the work should be able to:

1. Articulate an intersectional analysis of gendered and social justice movements.
2. Identify and explain the roles women have played in a variety of local, national, and transnational social movements.
3. Interpret the historical and geographic breadth of gender, sexual justice, and feminist movements.
4. Recognize that some of the most radical gendered, sexual justice, and feminist organizing happens in the Global South, and be able to articulate the trajectories of some of those movements.
5. Articulate the importance of collectively produced feminist knowledge.
6. Communicate clearly, in written form, regarding feminism and gender justice.

Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences learning objectives:

1. Collaboration and Shared Leadership
2. Critical and Creative Thinking
3. Diversity and Equity
4. Interdisciplinary Research and Inquiry
5. Writing and Communication

Required texts: There are two required books and the majority of readings are through canvas. The required books are: 

Schatz, Kate and Miriam Klein Stahl. 2015. Rad American Women A-Z: Rebels, Trailblazers, and Visionaries Who Shaped Our History . . . and Our Future! San Francisco: City Lights Books.   - AND - 

Wilson, Jamia and Aurelia Durand. 2021. This Book Is Feminist: An Intersectional Primer for Next-Gen Changemakers. Frances Lincoln Children's Books. 

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Class schedule 2023

The class reading schedule is organized weekly and you can access it via the homepage “buttons” or clicking here to  get to week one. 

You are responsible for all materials, updates and announcements covered during class sessions. The course calendar may periodically change due to unforeseen circumstances; please be sure you are using the most recent version.

Readings: There are two required books and the majority of readings are through canvas. When available, I have made HTML versions available in addition to PDFs. If you need assistance accessing UW Libraries resources,  please use the “Chat with a Librarian” service through Ask Us by clicking here Links to an external site.. You are expected to complete all readings by the date under which they are listed.

Evaluation and Means of Assessment 

This is a brief overview of the assignments and how they are weighted. Very detailed guidelines and rubrics will be in the Canvas assignments and/or in their respective guidelines pages once the quarter begins. 

Contribution assignments (15%): Throughout the quarter you will be expected to watch movies, interact with guest speakers, and do a lot of reading. You are expected to come to class, prepared. Your contribution grade will be based on a variety of exercises all quarter long: including thoughtful discussion of the readings, response to films, etc. Some of your grade will be based on your contribution to your archive project as demonstrated in the in-class workshops. You will receive "credit" or "no-credit" for each of these assignments. If I see the attendance and participation in class is low I will add more contribution assignments than those presently scheduled; some will be added day of like "pop quizzes." 

Translating Movements Papers (45%, combined): Five times throughout the quarter you will be expected to turn in a 600 word, double-spaced paper addressing a question meant to highlight and connect the different themes of the social movements studied in that section. You will be able to choose your audience from one of the following categories: 1) other academics; 2) high school students; 3) alternative/popular press; or 4) friends/family in your life who are hostile to GWSS. In addition to writing these papers you will be expected to discuss the readings in class. NOTE: ALL FIVE PAPERS ARE REQUIRED. FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DO ALL FIVE I WILL DROP THE LOWEST OF YOUR GRADES. IF YOU DO NOT COMPLETE ALL FIVE I WILL NOT DROP ANY OF YOUR SCORES AND THE ZEROS FOR INCOMPLETE PAPERS WILL BE FACTORED IN TO YOUR FINAL COURSE GRADE. 

Building a Feminist Archive Exhibit Assignment (40% combined): This assignment is about creating a feminist archive exhibit using the platform Omeka. Part of the grade will be for a curatorial essay [10%], part a digital exhibit [20%] of artifacts that you will locate from existing feminist archives, curated to tell a story related to our class's themes; and part a reflective essay [10%]. You will work in pairs on the project, share a grade on the first two pieces, and write your reflective essays separately. 

UW Grade Scale You can see UWB grading policies & procedures here. 

UW grade scale

A+       100-96 (4.0) A            95-94 (3.9) A-        93-90 (3.8-3.5) B+       89-87  (3.4-3.2) B          86-84  (3.1-2.9) B-        83-80  (2.8-2.5) C+       79-77  (2.4-2.2)	C          76-74  (2.1-1.9) C-        73-70  (1.8-1.5) D+       69-67  (1.4-1.2) D         66-64  (1.1-0.9) D-        63-62  (0.8-0.7) E          61 and below (0.0)

Equity, Inclusion & Student Support

There are links to all of these services and offices embedded below and in our canvas modules

Classroom conduct and respect for diversity Diverse backgrounds, embodiments and experiences are essential to the critical thinking endeavor at the heart of university education. In IAS and at UW Bothell more generally, students are expected to: 1) Respect individual differences which may include, but are not limited to, age, cultural background, disability (including invisible disabilities), ethnicity, family status, gender presentation, immigration status, experiences with trauma and violence, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and veteran status. 2) Engage respectfully in discussion of diverse worldviews and ideologies embedded in course readings, presentations, and artifacts, including those course materials that are at odds with personal beliefs and values. I always try and respond when I hear hateful or hurtful comments in the “classroom.” If EVER you feel personally hurt by comments made please let me know.

Students seeking support around these issues can find more information and resources at www.uwb.edu/diversity) and are encouraged to speak with me directly.

To report a concern or incident motivated by biases based on race, gender, gender identity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and ethnicity, go directly to the Public Care Report page and select “Bias Support Team” as the recipient of the report. Click here for the UW conduct code.

Access and accommodation Your experience in this class is important to me. It is the policy and practice of the University of Washington to create inclusive and accessible learning environments consistent with federal and state law. If you have already established accommodations with Disability Resources for Students (DRS), please activate your accommodations via myDRS so we can discuss how they will be implemented in this course.

If you have not yet established services through DRS, but have a temporary health condition or permanent disability that requires accommodations (conditions include but not limited to; mental health, attention-related, learning, vision, hearing, physical or health impacts), contact DRS directly to set up an Access Plan. DRS facilitates the interactive process that establishes reasonable accommodations. Contact DRS at uwbdrs@uw.edu.

Health and Wellness Resource Center and United Way Benefits Hub This is a centralized location which provides everything from financial assistance with utilities, to free/low cost medical insurance, to emergency financial grants, to tax preparation, and health care information including sexual and reproductive health. All services are free or deeply discounted. Ph: 425-352-5190. hawrc@uw.edu. 

Diversity Center The Diversity Center’s mission is to advocate for and collaborate with others to support a safe and inclusive campus community where resources will promote equity and social justice for all students, advocate and support students through education, and foster student success to marginalized and underrepresented communities at the University. The Diversity Center is by students and for students. To learn more, visit their website by clicking here.

For victim-survivors of sexual and relationship violence I believe you. I support you. You are not alone. Navigating school after, or in the midst of a traumatic experience can be challenging. You deserve to feel supported, you deserve to heal, and you deserve to be here. If you need support, consider talking with our free, confidential specially-trained Victim Advocates or counselors in the Counseling Center. You can make an appointment by calling 425-352-3851 or sending an email to uwbvae@uw.edu. See our canvas page for more resources.

For the veterans We at UWB understand that the transition into civilian life can be challenging for our veteran students and we have many resources for anyone who may want to reach out for guidance or assistance in these matters including our Vet Corp Navigator through the WDVA and our Student Veterans Association (SVA). Please contact Veteran Services at 425.352.5307 or rosal@uw.edu. For those of you needing more URGENT support, please call The Suicide Prevention Hotline 1.800.273.8258 or connect with the UWB CARE Team here.

The CARE Team The UWB Consultation, Assessment, Response and Education (CARE) Team is a confidential resource for the entire campus community when there are concerns about a student’s well-being. Their purpose is to provide proactive and supportive consultation, assessment, response, and education regarding students who may be at risk or in distress. To reach the CARE Team, call 425-352-SAFE. 

Gender neutral bathrooms For students who prefer to use an inclusive, gender neutral bathroom, the closest one to us is in DISC; LL, off of ramp connecting DISC to UW2. You can find resources for queer, trans, and non-binary students here. You can also find resources for queer and trans students here.

Lactation and Baby Changing Locations Lactation stations can be found in UW1-128, Husky Hall 1419, and Beardslee Crossing 102 U. These stations are available from 8am-5pm and can be reserved online at uwb.edu/admin/services/lactation-station.  Baby changing stations are located in Discovery Hall LL 050, UW2-L2 washrooms, UW1-L1 washrooms, LB1 and LB2-L1 washrooms. For up-to-date information, visit the Campus Lactation Stations website.

Other Parenting Student Resources Parenting Students are encouraged to look at the resources on the Parent Resources website.  In addition, parenting students may apply for financial assistance through the Child Care Assistance Program.

Reflection room This is an open use space for all members of UWB who seek quiet time for meditation, reflection, and prayer; UW1-007. No reservations are needed. Please follow the guidelines listed in the room about the expectations of the space. There is also a temporary, alternative space in the Diversity Center.

UW Religious Accommodation Policy Washington state law requires that UW develop a policy for accommodation of student absences or significant hardship due to reasons of faith or conscience, or for organized religious activities. The UW’s policy, including more information about how to request an accommodation, is available here.  Accommodations must be requested within the first two weeks of this course using the Religious Accommodations Request form.

Husky Pantry Husky Pantry is a resource for any UWB student who is facing food insecurity. It is a food pantry that can be accessed by any student, housing resident or non-resident. Please email hawrc@uw.edu, or check the website for the most up to date schedule.

Course Policies

Mask mandate The mask mandate has been lifted on campus. However, in the name of public health I hope students will continue to wear masks.    

Technology in the classroom Often technology enhances our learning and other times it greatly obstructs it. You are expected to take handwritten notes. (Research has shown over and over that they are better for retaining information and facilitate paying attention in class.) Ideally, you will print out and use hard copies of the readings but if it is too expensive to do so and/or the tree hugger in you doesn't approve than reading on your devices is acceptable. Looking at readings, handouts, our canvas page and the like does NOT require typing. Thus, if I notice you on your devices, especially phones, typing, I will just assume you are not paying attention but rather browsing the internet, checking twitter, texting, distracting your classmates, and that ultimately effects your contribution grade. Exceptions will be made for people with disabilities, international students using a dictionary, and/or parenting students. Please speak to me in person if you are one of these students. Everyone should have their laptops closed when we have guests unless they direct us to open them!!!

Communication I expect you to check your UW e-mail account and Canvas page throughout the day so that I can communicate with you easily. If you wish to use another e-mail address as your primary account, set up your UW account to forward to your other address. You can do this through MyUW. You are also expected to respond to texts/snaps/DMs from your groupmates in a timely manner.

Email exchange Students should never send professors emails that contain wording you would not feel comfortable saying in person. I have noticed a serious increase in rude and verbally violent emails as classes went to zoom. Disrespectful/threatening emails are considered a violation of the student conduct code and may be reported to the UWB’s Student Conduct team. By law, professors cannot discuss grades via email. If you have questions about a grade, please come to my office hours.

Late assignments All assignments are due by the time and date it says on the weekly schedule. Assignments will be graded down by five points for every day they are late. The penalty will be waived in the case of legitimate emergency. I will not accept your assignment more than one week past its due date. If you are experiencing something serious which is making it impossible to stay on track academically, please let me know. That said, I do not need to know the intimate details of your trauma; I trust students not to fabricate pain to compensate for poor time management.

Grade discrepancies Except in cases of miscalculation or other error, your course grade is final and non-negotiable. You should feel free to come discuss your grades with me throughout the quarter, during office hours, to gather feedback for future assignments.

Academic integrity You are responsible for knowing what constitutes a violation of the University of Washington Student Code, and you will be held responsible for any such violations whether they were intentional or not. Plagiarism is one of the most common violations of academic integrity, so please pay attention to this information. The library also has an extremely useful website with resources.

Incompletes University rules state that “an incomplete is given only when the student has been in attendance and has done satisfactory work until within two weeks at the end of the quarter and has furnished proof satisfactory to the instructor that the work cannot be completed because of illness or other circumstances beyond the student’s control.”

Inclement weather Please check if the campus may be closed due to weather. Information on suspension of operations will be made public and available through the media. Students can learn of campus operations status from the UW Bothell website or by calling the Campus Information Hotline 425.352.3333. You may also sign up with an alert system that will contact you via email or text message if classes are canceled. For more information on the alert process, please follow this link Class activities will be rescheduled as needed.

[Resources for undocumented students and your families]