DPLS 748sp09 Leadership and Feminist Ethics
DPLS 748 Leadership and Feminist Ethics
Spring 2009 2 Credits
Instructor Information
Name: Debby D. Hutchins
Office: Rebman 112
Phone: 509-313-6740 or 509-838-2367
Email: hutchins@gonzaga.edu
Course Description
Ethics is the branch of philosophy which is concerned with human morality. This includes both judgments about specific human behavior and the justification for these judgments. Feminist ethics involves the same concerns. However, unlike traditional ethical theories, feminist ethicists generally reject traditionally claims about the gender neutrality of these judgments. In other words, feminist ethics is also concerned with the difference gender identity makes. In this course, we will examine both feminist responses to and feminist transformations of the field of ethics. We will also consider two examples of applied feminist ethics: home care and pornography. I will not presuppose any specialized knowledge of ethics or feminist thought although previous course work in philosophy, ethics, women’s studies, or women’s history is certainly helpful.
Course Goals and Objectives
1. To give students an opportunity to critically explore the main topics and views in feminist ethics as well as introduce students to methods for thinking about and understanding feminism in relation to ethics.
2. To give students an opportunity to develop their critical reading, writing, and speaking skills as a part of their professional development.
3. To provide a forum for discussion related to feminist ethics and the opportunity and information to develop the student’s own positions on feminist issues.
4. To examine current social concerns involving women and to hopefully reflect on feminism’s impact on issues relating to leadership.
Attendance
As you know, our time is very limited for this course. Please let me know if you must miss class.
Class Policies
This is a graduate seminar. The fact that you are in a doctoral program tells me that you know the importance of—and have accepted responsibility for—your education. I want to facilitate your academic and professional development. You are required to come prepared to discuss the reading. The first hour will generally consist of my opening remarks. The following hours will consist of various types of discussion. During the second and third hours, you will generally be exploring themes in groups. The last hour will generally bring us back into the larger discussion. Discussion hours may involve group presentations, brief reflection writing, or other types of activities. You will be encouraged to use your own real life experiences to reflect on and critique these texts. Please help me make room for everyone and all opinions.
I am available through email, phone, and Blackboard. I will post information as needed on Blackboard.
Course Requirements
1. Full participation in all class activities
2. Completion of all readings
3. A final scholarly research paper
Grading
Your grade will be based on attendance and participation (50%) and your final paper (50%)
Required Texts
Please check Blackboard for a list of texts for this course. Any editions of these texts are acceptable. I suggest that you check Amazon for used books.
Ethics: A Feminist Reader Edited by Elizabeth Frazer, Jennifer Hornsby, Sabina Lovibond
In a Different Voice Carol Gilligan
No Place Like Home? Feminist Ethics and Home Health Care by Jennifer A. Parks
Hitting Home: Feminist Ethics, Women’s Work, and the Betrayal of Family Values by Gloria H. Albrecht
Course Schedule
January 16—Introduction to Feminist Ethics, Class Discussion
January 30—Selections from Ethics: A Feminist Reader
February 13-- In a Different Voice
February 27-- No Place Like Home?
March 6—Hitting Home
(All texts are available on Amazon)