HNR 301-001---Ecofeminism: Women, Ecology and Culture

Fall 2007  T/TH 12:15-1:30  HR111

Course Description:

What is the connection between the climate crisis and women having the right to vote?  Should women who want to earn the same salary as a man care about the condition of our environment? Is the environment a feminist issue? This course will explore the intersections of ecology, gender and culture by examining how environmental degradation, feminism and race theories have come together to investigate issues of social justice and its relationship to our ecological development and future environmental forecasts.  We will study ecofeminist literature and theory as it relates to religion, race, colonialism, class, science, health, architecture and other disciplines as we consider the reasons why ecofeminism interrogates, challenges, and calls for the dismantling of Western patriarchal ideologies. 

As we begin our semester together, there are some additional questions we will consider:  Who are we and why are we participating in this course? Do you consider yourself to be an environmentalist?  Feminist?  What do we mean when we use the terms ecology, nature, environmentalism, feminism, women's issues, dominant world view, exploitation?  Is there a relationship between those terms?  What experiences have you had in non-human natural environments?  Where did you grow up?  How do your physical surroundings affect you, your perceptions of your self and the world?  Does being a man or a woman affect your relationship to your environment? Are women considered to be closer to nature than men? If so, is the close association of women and nature real, mythical, biological, psychological, religious, personal?  What are the implications of this association for women and men in terms of their position and power in our society?  What is culture? Who produces it? Who controls it? How and why do we place value on culture? On nature? 

Course Objectives:

• To examine and contrast the ways in which women and men approach and relate to nature, ecology, and science.                
• To evaluate the effects of the dominant worldview on our perceptions of women, nature, and self.
• To identify connections between the oppression of women and the exploitation of nature and to explore ways in which these are symptomatic of more widespread patters of exploitation in our society and others.
• To define ecofeminism and to identify ways in which women's movements and environmental movements may complement and reinforce one another.
• To create a challenging and supportive environment for exploring these issues and possible channels for effecting change and to break out discoveries into a larger community.

Assessment Statement: To demonstrate that you have acquired these skills, you will engage in intellectual inquiry with all required texts and be tested on comprehension and interpretation through discussion facilitation, reports and written responses, as well as engage in scholarly research.

Required Texts:

Assignments and Grading:

Grading Scale:

90-100=A    80-89=B    70-79=C    60-69=D   below 60=F

Policies:

Attendance:  This attendance policy does not distinguish between excused or unexcused absences. You are permitted 2 absences for any reason. If you have reached the maximum number of permitted absences, a ½ letter grade or 5 points may be deducted from your final grade for each additional absence. If you miss more than the equivalent of two weeks of class meetings, you may not pass the course and should withdrawal. This attendance policy goes into effect at the time of enrollment.  Successful students come to class.    

Please be aware of the damage you do to your grade by missing class excessively.  Although an occasional absence may be unavoidable, it in no way excuses you from meeting the requirements of the course.  You are responsible for the material covered and the assignments given on the day of your absence.  Remember that each class that you miss is a lost opportunity.

Note:  For this 75 minute class, you must be present for at least 60 minutes to be counted present for the class period.  Please keep that in mind when making decisions about leaving class early.

Rules of the Room: No cell phones. Cell phones in the classroom are highly disruptive. Turn off all cell phones before entering class.  If your cell phone rings during class time, you may be requested to leave the room and/or receive 0 credit for class participation for the day.

I would also like to request that you approach the issues presented in this class with professionalism and an open mind using sound logic in your thinking and expression of your views.  While you are encouraged to present your ideas, you should do so with an awareness of the way apathy and derogatory language negatively affects your classmates and instructor.  Behavior that is malicious, immature, disruptive, or disrespectful will not be tolerated in the classroom or during office meetings.  I reserve the right to dismiss or to have removed a disruptive student from my classroom in accordance with the appropriate College of Arts and Science Policy.

Late Papers: I don’t accept late papers.  If problems occur, please contact me as soon as possible before the paper is due to see if arrangements can be made.  Procrastination will not only delay your paper, but it will also delay your success in life.  Assignments submitted via email will not be accepted without my approval.

Paper Guidelines: I will expect all of the papers to be typed, double spaced, using 12 point font size and stapled for submission.  No loose papers please or folders with plastic covers. 

Late Arrivals: You will also be counted absent if you come to class late unless you see me after class to be marked present. If you are more than 15 minutes late, you will be counted absent.  While I realize that a late arrival is occasionally unavoidable, habitual lateness will not be tolerated.  If you cannot get to this class on time, please find another section that better suits your schedule. 

24 Hour Request: All students are requested to refrain from addressing me with questions regarding a paper grade for a 24 hour period of reflection after receiving the grade.  After the 24 hour period has elapsed, students may contact me and I will be glad to further explain and discuss grade decisions.

Tutorial Help: Please be encouraged to contact and visit the writing center for help with writing assignments.  Phone: 859-572-5475.

Plagiarism & Student Honor Code: Plagiarism will not be tolerated and will result in the immediate failure of the assignment and possibly the course. Below is the first paragraph of the preamble for the new student honor code:

“This Student Honor Code [the “Honor Code”] is a commitment by students of Northern Kentucky University, through their matriculation or continued enrollment at the university, to adhere to the highest degree of ethical integrity in academic conduct. It is a commitment individually and collectively that the students of Northern Kentucky University will not lie, cheat, or plagiarize to gain academic advantage over fellow students or avoid requirements.”

Disability Services: Students with disabilities who require accommodations (academic adjustments, auxiliary aids or services) for this course must register

with the Disability Services Office.  Please contact the Disability Service Office immediately in the University Center, Suite 320 or call 859-572-6373 for more information.  Verification of your disability is required in the Disability Services Office for you to receive reasonable academic accommodations.  Visit the Disability Services website at www.nku.edu/~disability/.

Class Schedule: Readings and assignments are due on day indicated, unless otherwise announced.  Note: This schedule is tentative and subject to change.