Active Outline

General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
CETHD008.
Course Title (CB02)
Women of Color in the USA
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Course Description
This course is an interdisciplinary, multi-perspective, and comparative study of the experiences of women of color in the United States, including African American, Asian American Pacific Islander, Latina, and Native American women. The constructs of race, ethnicity, class, gender, and sexuality as they relate to social institutions and national ideologies will be explored. The examination and analysis of the historical, political, and economic influences that have informed the relationships between women of color and white women in the U.S.A., is foundational to this course.
Faculty Requirements
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

This course fulfills a general education requirement for CSU GE, ý, and IGETC, and is transferable to CSU and UC. This course belongs on the Liberal Arts degree. Additionally, it is widely accepted by most Women and Gender Studies majors at many transfer colleges and universities. It addresses the need for students to be culturally competent, including understanding the social, historical, and contemporary issues affecting the lives of women of color.

Foothill Equivalency

Does the course have a Foothill equivalent?
No
Foothill Course ID

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Course Development Options

Basic Skill Status (CB08)
Course is not a basic skills course.
Grade Options
  • Letter Grade
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
0

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Transferable to both UC and CSU
ý GEArea(s)StatusDetails
2GC2ý GE Area C2 - HumanitiesApproved
2GDXý GE Area D - Social and Behavioral SciencesApproved
CSU GEArea(s)StatusDetails
CGDYCSU GE Area D - Social SciencesApproved
IGETCArea(s)StatusDetails
IG4XIGETC Area 4 - Social and Behavioral SciencesApproved

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
4.0
Maximum Credit Units
4.0

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours4.08.0
Laboratory Hours0.00.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
48.0
Laboratory
0.0
Total
48.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
96.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
96.0

Prerequisite(s)

Corequisite(s)

Advisory(ies)

EWRT D001A or EWRT D01AH or ESL D005.

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

(Not open to students with credit in the cross-listed course(s).)

(Also listed as WMST D008.)

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

(See general education pages for the requirements this course meets.)

Methods of Instruction

Lecture and visual aids

Discussion of assigned reading

Discussion and problem solving performed in class

In-class exploration of Internet sites

Quiz and examination review performed in class

Homework and extended projects

Collaborative learning and small group exercises

Collaborative and individual expressive projects

Use of social scientific techniques of experimentation and empirical evidence to explore the status of women of color 

Assignments

  1. Written, oral and expressive:
    1. Develop a written, oral, and expressive presentation that reflects their incorporation of theoretical constructs introduced in the course and must demonstrate how these constructs inform their individual lives and experiences through "Telling Your Story". Typical in-class assignments include individual written and artistically expressive work prepared for discussion of texts and analysis and group analysis of specified topics presented orally.
    2. Prepare a creative group project which will be shared with the class.
    3. Maintain weekly journals as a method of demonstrating their ability to use critical analysis and synthesize the knowledge and information attained from the daily reading assignments.
    4. Quizzes, midterm, and a final examination will require comparative written analysis of specific literary and artistic works and sociological studies covered by the reading, class lectures, discussions, and presentations.
  2. Reading: Required reading selections from the primary texts and other assigned readings daily.
  3. Service Learning and Civic Engagement: Students will participate in a minimum of 12 hours of integrated service learning, and reflect on it in writing.
  4. Participate in small and large group discussions. Lead such discussions with the help of their own group.

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Students focus on the human condition, including examining their understanding of the ways in which privilege and oppression work in the lives of women of color through responses in quizzes, midterm, bi-weekly written or artistic journals, and a comprehensive final examination.
  2. Students are evaluated on the clarity and the analytical quality of their written and oral work. They should be able to explain the role of key historical, sociological, and cultural expressions that shaped the present condition of Women of Color in the US.
  3. Students exhibit their ability to plan, organize and present both group and individual research projects on topics that express their understanding of social constructions of race, class, gender, and sexuality and the impact of racism, sexism, classism, and heterosexism on Women of Color in the US. Criteria for success will include the use of social scientific techniques of experimentation and empirical evidence to explore the lives of women of color.
  4. Students examine patterns of behavior and social dynamics within, among, and between individuals, and groups, specifically of women of color, and exhibit their understanding through discussion and written assignments. Criteria for success will include exhibiting an understanding of such social dynamics in writing.
  5. Students successfully participate in small group and large group discussions. Their contributions will be reflected in writing or creative expression and through discussion with their groups, and evaluated based on understanding, analysis. and completion of the assignment.
  6. Students will make an effective contribution to the women of color community. Evaluated by examination of a brief written reflection on civic engagement projects.
  7. In a final evaluation, students will demonstrate a full understanding of the concepts from the course. 

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials: 
  • None.
Essential College Facilities:
  • None.

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
Anderson, Margaret L. and Patricia hill Collins, eds.Cengage Learning10th edition, 202213 ‏ : ‎ 978-1337685054
Anzaldua, Gloria and Cherrie Moraga, eds. "This Bridge Called My Back: Writings by Radical Women of ColorSuny Press40th anniversary edition, 202113 ‏ : ‎ 978-1438488288
Ore, Tracy E.The Social Construction of Difference and Inequality: Race, Class, Gender and SexualityOxford University Press201913 ‏ : ‎ 978-0190647964
Rojas, Maythee. "Women of Color and Feminism". New York, NY: Seal Press, 2009.Women of Color and FeminismSeal Press200913 ‏ : ‎ 978-1580052726
Lynn Fujiwara (Editor), Shireen Roshanravan (Editor), Piya Chatterjee (Series Editor)Asian American Feminisms and Women of Color Politics (Decolonizing Feminisms)University of Washington Press201813 ‏ : ‎ 978-0295744353

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisher
This Bridge We Call Home: Radical Visions for Transformation
Sister Outsider: Essays & Speeches by Audre Lorde
The Sacred Hoop: Recovering the Feminine in American Indian Tradition
Women and Gender in Islam: Historical Roots of a Modern Debate
Race, Gender and Work: A Multicultural Economic History of Women in the United States
Asian Women United of California, Making Waves: An Anthology of Writings: Women of Academe: Outsiders in the Sacred Grove
American Indian Women: Telling Their Lives
Gender: Psychological Perspectives
Segregated Sisterhood: Racism and Politics of American Feminism
Black Feminist Thought: Knowledge, Consciousness, and The Politics of Empowerment
Gender and Kinship: Essays Toward a Unified Analysis
Women, Culture, Politics
Women, Race and Class
Reconstructing Gender: A Multicultural Anthology
Everyday Racism:Reports from women of Two Cultures
The Second Shift
Feminist Theory From Margin to Center
Reel to Real: Race , Sex, and Class at The Movies
The Color of Privilege: Three Blasphemies on Race and Feminism
Quiet Odyssey: A Pioneer Korean Woman in America
Making Gender: The Politics and Erotics of Culture
Unequal Sisters: a Multicultural Reader in U. S. Women's 25
Woman, Native, Other
Asian American Dreams: The Emergence of An American People

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Recognize the historical, philosophical, theoretical background of women's studies as both interdisciplinary and having multiple perspectives.
  • Assess the impact of socialization, ethnicity, and culture on the lives of women of color as social, political, sexual, spiritual, professional and private individuals.
  • Analyze the intersection of ethnicity, race, class and gender in the lives of women of color and how these issues and resultant problems are treated in the contemporary literature, art, scholarship, and visual media.
  • Compare and contrast the ethnic, cultural, sexual, religious, political, and economic status held by women of color and white women in the U.S.A.
  • Analyze the factors which influence the structure of female gender within various cultural and ethnic groups.
  • Examine the influences of oppression and racism on the lives of women of color and the varied responses from a contemporary and historical perspective.
  • Examine the relationships between gender, sexuality, ethnicity, sexism, ageism and racism and their manifestation as problems: sexual abuse, violence against women, sexual harassment and poverty.
  • Examine the diverse life experiences of women of color in the U.S.A.
  • Explore the responses and activism of women of color to social, political, and economic marginalization and oppression in the U.S.A.
  • Synthesize the new body of knowledge concerning issues related to women of color and their own concentric circles of influence in order to contextualize this information within contemporary social issues in the U.S.A.

CSLOs

  • Analyze and explain the social construction of race, class, gender, and sexuality and the impact of racism, sexism, classism, and hetero-sexism on Women of Color in the U.S.by critiquing the multiple identities through an intersectional lens.

Outline

  1. Recognize the historical, philosophical, theoretical background of women's studies as both interdisciplinary and having multiple perspectives.
    1. History of women's studies as interdisciplinary and inclusive of multiple perspectives.
    2. Introduce and assess the methodological approaches to the study of women and the central fields from which it draws upon including the Humanities orientation of history and philosophy and the Behavioral Sciences orientation of sociology, psychology, and anthropology.
      1. Uses of participatory research methodology.
      2. Application of qualitative cross-cultural research.
      3. Uses of Ethnographic research methodology.
      4. Application of Feminist Historiographies.
      5. Critical analysis of specific works to support its claims
    3. Major theoretical frameworks used to analyze gender relations.
    4. Womanist and Feminist critiques of the traditional disciplines, and the evolution of those disciplines.
      1. Perspectives of women of color on women studies as an area of inquiry.
      2. Theories of power and oppression.
      3. Theories of the intersection of different forms of oppression.
  2. Assess the impact of socialization, ethnicity, and culture on the lives of women of color as social, political, sexual, spiritual, professional, and private individuals.
    1. Definitions "feminine", "feminist", "woman", "womanhood", and "womanism".
    2. Differences in the lives of rural and urban women.
    3. Women's sexuality as it is culturally positioned within class and economic status.
    4. The role of spirituality among women of color
    5. The role of artistic expression in the lives of women of color
    6. Women's political, professional, social, and private lives.
  3. Analyze the intersection of ethnicity, race, class, and gender in the lives of women of color and how these issues and resultant problems are treated in contemporary literature, art, scholarship, and visual media.
    1. Definition of ethnicity, race, class, and gender.
    2. Perspectives on issues of ethnicity, race, class, and gender from both.
    3. Examination of literary and artistic works by Womanists and feminists of color
    4. Treatment of issues related to women of color in literature.
    5. Problems resulting from the intersection of racism and sexism.
    6. Women of color and white women in the media and the arts.
  4. Compare and contrast the ethnic, cultural, sexual, religious, political, and economic status held by women of color and white women in the U.S.A.
    1. Definition of status and the contextual backdrop of engendered power relationships in the U.S.A.
    2. Concentric Circles of Influence and the placement of women of color, white women, men of color, and white men.
    3. Influences on the roles of women.
    4. Contemporary social phenomena that influence and impact the roles of women.
    5. Value and acceptance of artistic expression by women of color
  5. Analyze the factors which influence the structure of the female gender within various cultural and ethnic groups.
    1. Gender systems in various societies
    2. Redefinition of gender in queer studies.
    3. Social construction of gender as it relates to ethnicity, culture, economics, and class.
    4. Gender and ethnicity bias in the family, media, the arts, legal system, and education. Theories: Double-bind, Multiple Oppression, Institutionalized Racism, Stereotype Threat, Adobe and Glass Ceilings.
    5. Institutionalized racism and sexism.
    6. Gender bias perpetuated by women.
  6. Examine the influences of oppression and racism on the lives of women of color and the varied responses from a contemporary and historical perspective.
    1. Structure of oppression and racism in the U. S.A.
    2. Women of color and internalized oppression.
    3. White women and privilege.
    4. Historiographies of women of color oral, written, and artistic.
    5. Evolution of the Feminist movement and the response to the exclusion by women of color.
    6. Differing strategies for social/political activism among women of color and white women.
    7. Self-definition and empowerment of women of color particularly through artistic and literary expression
  7. Examine the relationships between gender, sexuality, ethnicity, sexism, ageism, and racism and their manifestation as problems: sexual abuse, violence against women, sexual harassment, and poverty.
    1. Racism, ageism, classism, ableism, homophobia, sexism, and their intersection with gender.
    2. The justice system in the U.S.A. in relation to domestic violence, rape, sexual harassment, and employment discrimination.
    3. Relationships to women and children of color to the social systems in the U.S.A.
    4. Beauty images related to the health and safety of women.
    5. Institutional, community, and personal responses to health problems of women of color.
  8. Examine the diverse life experiences of women of color in the U.S.A.
    1. Forced and voluntary migration of families of women of color.
    2. Social histories of women of color.
    3. Racism and its impact on the identity development of women of color.
    4. Education as a vehicle for liberation
    5. Written, artistic, and oral story telling as a vehicle for the transmission of cultural values within the lives women of color.
    6. "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder": Racism resultant in myths and stereotypes surrounding the beauty and sexuality of women of color.
    7. Internalized oppression as a construct
    8. White women and women of color victims of a "mythical norm".
  9. Explore the responses and activism of women of color to social, political, and economic marginalization and oppression in the U.S.A.
    1. Women of color and their roles in the women's liberation movement.
    2. Women of color and their roles in the civil rights movement.
    3. Major problems and challenges for women of color within socio-political movements.
    4. Women of color in contemporary socio-political movements and their connection to global issues.
    5. Building Alliances and coalitions with white women and women of color.
      1. Conceptual differences in the notion of "sisterhood".
      2. The arts as a political vehicle for change for women of color.
  10. Synthesize the new body of knowledge concerning issues related to women of color and their own concentric circles of influence in order to contextualize this information within contemporary social issues in the U.S.A.
    1. Recognition of student's sense of self as a gendered person.
    2. Realization of the similarities and differences in the life experiences of women of color and white women.
    3. Incorporation of the concepts of womanism and feminism as differentiating the lived experiences of women of color and white women in the U.S.A.
    4. Reflection on the relationships between ethnicity, culture, gender, class and racism in the U.S.A.
    5. Application of quantitative and qualitative sociological theoretical constructs in the analysis of social, political, and economic issues and problems as they are related to women and specifically women of color who reside in the U.S.A.
    6. Reflection on student's relationship to the experiences of women in general and women of color specifically
    7. Recognition of the factors which contribute to the development of alliances and coalitions between women from diverse backgrounds.
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