Anthropology 3628 Instructor: Sharon Kemp

WOMEN IN CROSS-CULTURAL PERSPECTIVES Office: 211 Cina, Ph.726-6110

Spring Quarter 1999 Office Hours:

9-10:05 MWF and by appointment

Course Description

This course provides a survey of the position, life cycle and images of women, primarily in non-Western cultures. Sociocultural factors which influence and inform the lives of women are examined including kinship, modes of production, industrialism, social stratification, colonialism and development.

Course Objectives

To broaden our understandings of women and women's lives in the non-Western world. To investigate determinants of women's status cross-culturally with a focus on the structure of gender relations, the social roles of women and the cultural definitions of women in selected societies.

Required Texts

Sarah Mitter, Dharma’s Daughters

Yolanda Murphy and Robert Murphy, Women of the Forest

Bouthaina Shaaban, Both Right and Left Handed: Arab Women Talk About Their Lives

Carol Stack, All our Kin

Martha Ward, A World Full of Women

Video Materials

The films shown in class supplement the readings and should be watched carefully and critically.

Exams and Grading

Mid-term Exam--April 8 25%

Class Participation 25%

Discussion; Class Contributions

Project/Paper/Journaling & Clipping 25%

Final Exam--May 21 25%

Attendance

You are expected to attend class regularly. Examinations cover lectures, discussions, readings and films. Final grades are based on total point score.

Special Facilities and Arrangements

Individuals who have any disability, either permanent or temporary, which might affect their ability to perform in this class are encouraged to inform the instructor at the beginning of the quarter. Adaptations of methods, materials, or testing may be made as required to provide for equitable participation.

Course Outline and Reading Schedule

Readings should be done before the assigned class in order to participate in and benefit from discussions, lectures and films as much as possible.

WEEK DATE TOPICS READINGS

______________________________________________________________________________

I. 3/9-13 Introduction Ward, Chs. 1 & 2

Theoretical Issues FILM: Kypseli

_____________________________________________________________________________

II. 3/16-20 Biocultural Markers Ward, Chs. 3, 4, 5

Primates FILM: Intro to Chimp

Behavior

Women Centered Families

______________________________________________________________________________

III. 3/23-27 American Women Stack, All Our Kin Centered Families

FILM: Janie's Janie

______________________________________________________________________________

IV. 3/30-4/3 Systems of Separation Ward, Ch. 6

Women of the Forest Murphy and Murphy, Ch.1-6

______________________________________________________________________________

V. 4/6-4/8 Women of the Forest Murphy and Murphy, Ch. 7-9

4/8 MID-TERM EXAM

______________________________________________________________________________

VI. 4/13-4/17 Third Gender Systems Ward, Ch 7 & 8

Women and Religion

Dharma’s Daughters Mitter, Intro, Part 2, Ch 7-11

______________________________________________________________________________

VII. 4/20-4/24 Dharma’s Daughters Mitter, Pts 1 & 3, Ch. 1-6,12-15

FILM: Courtesans of

Bombay; XXXXX

_______________________________________________________________________________

VIII. 4/27-5/1 Colonialism and the Third Ward, Ch. 9

World

Both Right and Left Handed Shaaban, Pts 1 & 2

FILM: XXXXXXXX

_____________________________________________________________________________

IX. 5/4-5/8 Colonialism Continued Shaaban, Pts 3 & 4

FILM: Maasai Women

Human Rights Ward, Ch. 10

____________________________________________________________________________

X. 5/11-5/15 Project/Paper Presentations

______________________________________________________________________________

XI. 5/18 FINAL EXAM:Thursday 10-11:55