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Postcolonial Feminisms

ENGL 769.401
also offered as: COML 769, GSWS 769, NELC 783, SAST 769
instructor(s):
T 12-3:00

How are feminisms in different parts of the world, and as espoused by different subjects, historically constructed, and how have they intersected and debated with one another? How do the histories of colonialism, sexuality, postcolonial nationhood and global capital shape these intersections and debates? In the academy, we often pay lip service to the idea of “differences” among women, and to such histories, and yet forget that (as Heidi Tinsman puts it),  “what constitutes useful categories of feminist analysis is a matter of geopolitics rather than epistemological catch-up.”  This course provides an opportunity to read and think about such debates, categories, histories and contemporary global relations, in order to discuss three key issues: identity, agency and social justice.

We will engage with writings that range over questions of racial, religious and ethnic difference, “third world” women in the West, feminist developments within the global South. Because of our location, we concentrate on materials that tend to be less visible in the US academy, although we begin by rehearsing critiques that were written both here and within Britain, and will regularly engage with scholars and activists working in the West.

Requirements include leading a seminar, a short paper, and a final research paper (20+) pages.

fulfills requirements