WGST 4410W Women’s and Gender Studies Research Seminar (Banerjee): Course Schedule (by TOPIC)
What is on this page?
Helpful Information on Accessing Resources Remotely
To access some items you need to use your CUNYFirst login and others you will need to enter a password given to you by your professor.
The following icons will let you know what you will need to do to access the items.
If an item has no icon, then you don't need to do anything to access it.
Off-campus access. Use your CUNYfirst Username and Password to log in (same credentials for logging into Blackboard).
Password protected item. You will be prompted to enter the password given to you by your Professor.
Open Access item. Free to use, no need to create an account to access.
Internet Archive Item. Need to create a free Internet Archive account to access items fully.
Items located on the NYTimes site, access with free CUNY account.
Items located on Wall Street Journal site, access with free CUNY account.
Need assistance with off-campus access? Go to the library's Library Remote Access page for assistance and instructions.
The Brooklyn College Library's electronic resources (e.g. journals, ebooks, databases, etc.) are available to registered students, faculty, and staff when off-campus, including while abroad.
IMPORTANT:
- To authenticate for remote access to Library databases you will be prompted to use your CUNYfirst Username and Password to log in (same credentials for logging into Blackboard). You may see a redirection screen to the new login screen.
- Using Firefox as your browser is recommended.
- For further assistance go to the library's Ask a Librarian or read more on Library Remote Access.
All CUNY members have free access to The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and the Chronicle of Higher Education.
- Use CUNY.edu email to sign up.
- Faculty & staff renew every year.
- Students have access until graduation.
- renewal requires working CUNY.edu address.
NY Times: Anyone who initiates an account will have an active subscription for one year from the date she/he creates the account. If you already have an annual subscription to the NYTimes, you can cancel it and will receive a refund. However, if you only have a monthly subscription, the New York Times will not issue a refund for that month.
Newspaper Icons
Items located on the NYTimes site, access with free CUNY account.
Items located on Wall Street Journal site, access with free CUNY account.
Print Syllabus
- Syllabus for WGST 4410W Women’s and Gender Studies Research SeminarCourse Syllabus including zoom link. Professor will give students password to open syllabus.
Course Supplemental Materials - Videos
Watch all of the animated documentary shorts about UNLADYLIKE2020’s trailblazing heroines
You can also watch a one-hour PBS special, American Masters – UNLADYLIKE2020: The Changemakers (PBS Passport), (membership required).
UNLADYLIKE2020 is an innovative multimedia series featuring diverse and little-known, trend-setting American heroines from the early years of feminism, and the women who follow in their footsteps.
The Project:
The Project UNLADYLIKE2020 is a timeless and resource-rich repository of U.S. women’s histories from the early years of feminism. In honor of the centennial of women’s suffrage in 2020, we are proud to present the comprehensive biographies of 26 bold American women who broke barriers in male-dominated fields at the turn of the 20th century, and the women who now follow in their footsteps. These trailblazers excelled in science, medicine, politics, business, journalism, sports, aviation, and the arts — including the first woman to lead scientific expeditions in the Arctic, join the National Academy of Engineering, found a hospital on an American Indian reservation, serve in the U.S. Congress, become a bank president, swim across the English Channel, earn an international pilot’s license, sing opera on the main stage at Carnegie Hall, or direct a feature-length movie. Presenting history in a bold new way, our 26 digital shorts bring extraordinary stories of daring and persistence back to life through captivating original artwork and animation, rare archival imagery, and interviews with historians, descendants, and accomplished women of today who reflect on the influence of these pioneers.
Narrated by Emmy, Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award-winner Julianna Margulies (ER, The Good Wife, Billions) and Screen Actors Guild and Critics Choice Award-winner Lorraine Toussaint (Selma, Orange is the New Black, The Glorias), the series of 10-to-12 minute animated documentary shorts is available via PBS’s flagship biography series American Masters. American Masters also premiered a one-hour television special on PBS July 10, 2020, American Masters – UNLADYLIKE2020: The Changemakers, illuminating the stories of 5 pioneers in politics and civil rights.
- Official Trailer | Unladylike2020 | American Masters | PBS
- Bessie Coleman: First African American Aviator | Unladylike2020 | American Masters | PBS
- Social Worker Grace Abbott | Unladylike2020 | American Masters | PBS
- Entrepreneur Maggie Lena Walker | Unladylike2020 | American Masters | PBS
- Lillian Gilbreth: Pioneering Inventor | Unladylike2020 | American Masters | PBS
- Ynés Mexía: Mexican-American Botanist and Adventurer | Unladylike2020 | American Masters | PBS
- Anna May Wong: The first Asian American Movie Star | Unladylike2020 | American Masters | PBS
- Meta Warrick Fuller: Trailblazing African American Artist | Unladylike2020 | American Masters | PBS
- Louise Arner Boyd: First Woman to Lead Arctic Expeditions | Unladylike2020 | American Masters | PBS
- The First American Woman to Direct a Feature-Length Film | Unladylike2020 | American Masters | PBS
- This astronomer discovered over 300 stars during her career| Unladylike2020 | American Masters | PBS
- The First Chinese American Woman to Vote in the U.S. | Unladlylike2020 | American Masters | PBS
- She was a Leader of the American Labor Movement | Unladylike2020 | American Masters | PBS
- The First American-Born Chinese Woman Doctor | Unladylike2020 | American Masters | PBS
- Gladys Bentley Exclusive | Unladylike2020 | American Masters | PBS
- Gladys Bentley: Gender-Bending Performer and Musician | Unladylike2020 | American Masters | PBS
- Annie Smith Peck: Record-Breaking Mountaineer | Unladylike2020 | American Masters | PBS
- The First American Indian Doctor | Unladylike2020 | American Masters | PBS
- Unladylike2020: The Changemakers | Official Trailer | American Masters | PBS
- Sissieretta Jones was a Trailblazing Black Opera Singer | Unladylike2020 | American Masters | PBS
- Queen Lili‘uokalani - The First and Last Queen of Hawai‘i | Unladylike2020 | American Masters | PBS
- Mary Church Terrell: Co-Founder of the NAACP | Unladylike2020 | American Masters | PBS
- She was a Daredevil Performer & Advocate for the Blind | Unladylike2020 | American Masters | PBS
- Martha Hughes Cannon: The First Woman State Senator | Unladylike2020 | American Masters | PBS
- Jovita Idar: Mexican American Activist and Journalist | Unladylike2020 | American Masters | PBS
- Jeannette Rankin: The First Woman Member of U.S Congress | Unladylike2020 | American Masters | PBS
- Charlotta Spears Bass: The First Black Woman VP Nominee | Unladylike2020 | American Masters | PBS
- Nikole Hannah-Jones on Charlotta Spear Bass | Unladylike2020 | American Masters | PBS
- Zitkála-Šá: Trailblazing American Indian Composer | Unladylike2020 | American Masters | PBS
- The First Woman to Swim Across the English Channel | Unladylike2020 | American Masters | PBS
- UNLADYLIKE2020 and American Masters Present: Where Are the Women? Summit
TOPIC: Syllabus and Introduction
Class Focus
- Overview of the course
- Discussion of course requirements and Assignments
Readings
- Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie How to Write and How to Read, “When it's difficult, what keeps me going is the possibility of joy.”Emily Temple's (September 15, 2017) Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie How to Write and How to Read, “When it's difficult, what keeps me going is the possibility of joy.”
TOPIC: Definitions of key terms & Purpose of research in WGST
Discussion Board Assignment
DB#1 (300-350 words) due on Joan Scott’s definition of gender and how later scholars weighed in on that definition
Readings
- Gender: A Useful Tool of Historical AnalysisScott, Joan W. “Gender: A Useful Category of Historical Analysis.” The American Historical Review, vol. 91, no. 5, [Oxford University Press, American Historical Association], 1986, pp. 1053–75, https://doi.org/10.2307/1864376. (Focus on Scott’s two-part definition towards the end)
- A History of “Gender”, The American Historical ReviewJoanne Meyerowitz, A History of “Gender”, The American Historical Review, Volume 113, Issue 5, December 2008, Pages 1346–1356, https://doi.org/10.1086/ahr.113.5.1346
- The Many Faces of Gender Inequality (web version)Amartya Sen, “The Many Faces of Gender Inequality” Frontline Volume 18 - Issue 22, Oct. 27 - Nov. 09, 2001
We will mainly focus on the “Seven Types of Inequality” that Sen identifies.
- A Guide to Researching and Writing a Senior Thesis in Studies of Women, Gender, and SexualityWingfield, Rebecca, Sarah Anne Carter, Elena Marx, and Phyllis Thompson. 2007. “A Guide to Researching and Writing a Senior Thesis in Studies of Women, Gender, and Sexuality”.
Chapter 1: “Why Write a Thesis?”
Chapter 2: “What does it mean to create WGS scholarship”
For information and fun watch
- Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Encyclopædia Britannica.Smentkowski, Brian P & Houck, Aaron M. (September 22, 2020). Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Encyclopædia Britannica.
- Ruth Bader Ginsburg."Ruth Bader Ginsburg." Oyez, www.oyez.org/justices/ruth_bader_ginsburg.
TOPIC: Feminist Research Questions and Methods
Discussion Board Assignment
Feminism without Borders
DB#2 (500 words total) due
- What does Mohanty mean by “under Western eyes”? What new understanding does she bring to your understanding of gender?
- What does a feminist research method entail? Please provide a brief summary in 200 words.
Readings
- Under Western Eyes: Feminist Scholarship and Colonial DiscourseChandra Talpade Mohanty: “Under Western Eyes: Feminist Scholarship and Colonial Discourse”
Recommended Readings
- Under Western Eyes RevisitedChandra Talpade Mohanty, “Under Western Eyes Revisited”
- Under Western Eyes: Feminist Scholarship and Colonial Discourses.Mohanty, Chandra Talpade. “Under Western Eyes: Feminist Scholarship and Colonial Discourses.” Boundary 2, vol. 12/13, Duke University Press, 1984, pp. 333–58, https://doi.org/10.2307/302821.
- Feminisms: A Global History by Dr Lucy DelapDr. Kate Law (March 8, 2021) Feminisms: A Global History by Dr Lucy Delap / Women’s History Network
- Western Feminism in a Global PerspectiveDixon, Violet K. 2011. Western Feminism in a Global Perspective. Inquiries Journal/Student Pulse 3 (02), http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/a?id=395
- Learning Critical Feminist Research: A Brief Introduction to Feminist Epistemologies and MethodologiesWigginton, Britta & LaFrance, Michelle N L. (2019). “Learning Critical Feminist Research: A Brief Introduction to Feminist Epistemologies and Methodologies” Feminism & Psychology 0(0) 1–17. DOI: 10.1177/0959353519866058
TOPIC: Working with the Advisor and Designing your Project (Step 1)
Discussion Board Assignment
DB# 3 Due
- Identification of a possible research topic with sources (1-page, 250-300 words, abstract and possible sources)
- Also, share it on a google docs.
Readings and Video
- What is a Woman? What is the difference between radicalism and transgenderism?Goldberg, Michelle. “What is a Woman? What is the difference between radicalism and transgenderism?” New Yorker , 8/4/2014
- The Variety of Feminisms and Their Contributions to Gender Equality.Lorber, Judith. The Variety of Feminisms and Their Contributions to Gender Equality. Oldenburg: BIS, Bibliotheks- und Informationssystem der Universität Oldenburg, 1997. Print.
- A Guide to Researching and Writing a Senior Thesis in Studies of Women, Gender, and SexualityWingfield, Rebecca, Sarah Anne Carter, Elena Marx, and Phyllis Thompson. 2007. “A Guide to Researching and Writing a Senior Thesis in Studies of Women, Gender, and Sexuality”.
Chapter 3: “Working with the Advisor”
Chapter 4: “Designing your Project”
TOPIC: Intersectionality as a Tool of Analysis
Discussion Board Assignment
DB#4 (300 words) due
- What you understand by an intersectional analysis of research.
Readings
- Mapping the Margins: Intersectionality, Identity Politics, and Violence Against Women of ColorWilliams, Kimberlé Crenshaw. "Mapping the Margins: Intersectionality, Identity Politics, and Violence Against Women of Color". In: Martha Albertson Fineman, Rixanne Mykitiuk, Eds. The
Public Nature of Private Violence. (New York: Routledge, 1994), p. 93-118.
- What Is Ethics in Research & Why Is It Important?Resnik, David B. (2020, Dec. 23) What Is Ethics in Research & Why Is It Important?
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
TOPIC: Literature review and Research design (Step 2)
Class Focus
Literature review and Research design: Utilizing available information (personal and public) to situate, organize, support or clarify selected research topics.
Research Questions and Annotated Bib Assignment
- Research questions and an annotated bibliography supporting your research (1-2 pages; no more than 3 pages). Also, to be shared in a google doc
Readings and Video
- A Guide to Researching and Writing a Senior Thesis in Studies of Women, Gender, and SexualityWingfield, Rebecca, Sarah Anne Carter, Elena Marx, and Phyllis Thompson. 2007. “A Guide to Researching and Writing a Senior Thesis in Studies of Women, Gender, and Sexuality”.
Chapter 5: “Writing Your Proposal”
- How to write a literature review.McCombes, Shona. "How to write a literature review." Scribbr (2021, Aug. 27) https://www.scribbr.com/dissertation/literature-review/
- Love as the Practice of Freedomhooks, bell. "Love as the Practice of Freedom" In: bell hooks. Outlaw Culture: Resisting Representations. (Taylor and Francis, 2012.)
TOPIC: Bring your own Data/Sources/Bibliography
Readings
- A Guide to Researching and Writing a Senior Thesis in Studies of Women, Gender, and SexualityWingfield, Rebecca, Sarah Anne Carter, Elena Marx, and Phyllis Thompson. 2007. “A Guide to Researching and Writing a Senior Thesis in Studies of Women, Gender, and Sexuality”.
Chapter 6: “Researching your Thesis”
Chapter 7: “Writing your Thesis” - A step-by-step guide to data collection.Bhandari, Pritha. "A step-by-step guide to data collection." Scribbr (2021, Aug. 13) https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/data-collection/
- Data analysis in research: Why data, types of data, data analysis in qualitative and quantitative research"Data analysis in research: Why data, types of data, data analysis in qualitative and quantitative research." QuestionPro https://www.questionpro.com/blog/data-analysis-in-research/
TOPIC: Research Outline (Step 3)
Research Outline Assignment
- Research Outline (4-5 pages) (Step 3). Due on under Assignment Also, share in a google doc.
Readings
- Data analysis in research: Why data, types of data, data analysis in qualitative and quantitative research"Data analysis in research: Why data, types of data, data analysis in qualitative and quantitative research." QuestionPro https://www.questionpro.com/blog/data-analysis-in-research/
- The Good Daughter Dilemma: Latinas Managing Family and School Demands: .Espinoza, Roberta. “The Good Daughter Dilemma: Latinas Managing Family and School Demands.” Journal of Hispanic higher education 9.4 (2010): 317–330. DOI: 10.1177/1538192710380919
TOPIC: Research Proposal Roundtable sessions
Class Focus
- Research Proposal Roundtable sessions (Who, What, Why, Where, When, and How of research project.)
- Share your findings. (Feedback from peers)
- Reflection and Peer Review of each other’s works
- Organizing Academic Research Papers by Sacred Heart Library.Sacred Heart Library. Organizing Academic Research PapersAll aspects of the research process
TOPIC: Reflections
- Individual conferencing
- The Brooklyn College Listening ProjectAn oral history and community interview initiative at Brooklyn College, CUNY, where students interview family, neighbors, friends and strangers about their lives, their experiences and their perspectives on the world.
- Autoethnographies of a Pandemic from Brooklyn’s Epicenter.Jeanne Theoharis, Joseph Entin, and Dominick Braswell. "Autoethnographies of a Pandemic from Brooklyn’s Epicenter." (October 12, 2020) BLACK PERSPECTIVES
TOPIC: Reflections, Peer Review, and Revisions
Discussion Board Assignment
DB#5 due
- Metacognition: What have we learned? How could we have done better?
Unless otherwise noted this Open Educational Resource (OER) WGST 4410W Women’s and Gender Studies Research Seminar was created and curated by Professor Swapna Banerjee Fall 2021 and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. (Some documents require Adobe Acrobat Reader. )
Site design and formatting by Amy Wolfe, OER Developer (Brooklyn College) and Accessibility Librarian (CUNY Office of Library Services).
Brooklyn College | Library Accessibility Information| CUNY Accessibility Statement