WOMEN'S MOVEMENTS AND FEMINISMS, 19th -20th C: USA, WESTERN AND EASTERN EUROPE

The comparative course introduces to the major developments and critical debates about the historically existed and contemporary feminisms in the Eastern and Western Europe, and the USA. It aims at developing students’ skills for critical understanding of political, social, and cultural processes and its gender dimension. The course outlines the major ideological and political impact of liberalism, nationalism, imperialism, social democracy and (state) socialism on the activities of women in Europe and the USA. It offers some answers to questions, such as: Why feminism is still considered a “western” phenomenon, notwithstanding various feminist manifestations in Eastern Europe and other parts of the world? What is the difference – if any – between women’s movements and feminisms? What is the role of religion in the history of women’s movements? Whether the term “communist feminism” is a Contradictio in Terminis?”, etc. It makes explicit the entanglements of the history of feminisms and other social movements and argues that that the history of feminisms should become part of mainstream production knowledge (among others) in history, political sciences, sociology, as well.


ASSIGNMENTS:
1. Attendance and active involvement in class discussions are expected from all participants in the course. This presupposes the reading of the required readings. Please, note that though any participation in those discussions is welcome, only meaningful contributions add to the assessment. In case someone is not able to attend a session of the Seminar for reasons, please, inform me in advance (in person or via E-mail).
2. Everybody is expected to make an oral presentation (some 20-30 minutes) once during course. The presentation should be related to one of the themes of the syllabus. It should be agreed with me in 2 advance. It is advisable for those presenting to supply handouts (1-2 pages) with the basic points of their presentation to all participations in order to facilitate comprehension and discussion.
3. The final (term) paper should be some 10-15 pp. long. It should be relevant to one or more of the theme covered in the syllabus. The topic and main ideas should be consulted with me in advance. I will not accept papers that have been written for another purpose. The paper should follow the basic rules and conventions of a scholarly text, such as having a clearly defined problem, consistent formulation of the basic ideas, internal organization of the text, correct citation of sources (and enough authoritative sources), etc.