GRSJ 224 Fall 2020 - syllabus PDF

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GRSJ 224F Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Social Justice in Literature Autumn 2020 Syllabus

COURSE'INFORMATION' Course'Title'

Course'Code'Number'

Gender,'Race,'Sexuality,'and'Social'Justice'in'Literature'

Credit'Value'

GRSJ'224F'

3'

PREREQUISITES' This%is%a%second-year%course%that%assumes%you%have%a"working!familiarity)with)reading(and(writing(about( issues%and%theories%of%gender,'sexuality,'race,'and'social'justice.''Ideally,'you'will'have'taken'GRSJ'101'but' it#is#not#a#prerequisite.'

CONTACTS' Course'Instructor(s)'

Kathryn'Ferguson'

Contact'Details'

Online'Office'Hours'

Email:'Kathryn'

Please'be'aware'that'I'am'available'by'email'almost'every'

***Please'use'your'UBC' email'account'***'

immediately.''I'will'do'my'best'to'respond'promptly—but' last-minute'messages'may'not'reach'me'straightaway.' My'‘office'hours’'accommodate'Pacific'Standard'Time—so' please'assume'I'will'be'online'Tuesdays'between'2'and' 4'and 'at'other'times'by'appointment.' If'required,'we'can'arrange'meetings'via'Zoom.'

COURSE'DESCRIPTION' This%course%was!created'with'Oscar'Wilde’s'assertion'that'“Literature)reflects)society)and)society) shapes&literature”&kept&closely&in&mind.!' In#this#course#we#will#be#considering!some%of%the%ways%that%literature%can%both%shape%and%reflect%the% ways%that%we%think%about%gender,%race,%sexuality,%and%social%justice.!We#will#be#thinking#critically#about# the$impact$that$authors,$artists,$and$theorists$have$on$the$ways#we#think#about#bodies,#desire,# partnerships,+life+arrangements,"priorities,"and"choices—of#ourselves#and#of#others.##We#will#consider# what"traditions"authors"and"theorists!are$resisting,$and$what$new$directions$their$works$might$lead$ us.$$We#will$be$reading$both$critical$theory$and$literary$texts$to$better$understand)the$ways%that% sexual'identities,'practices'and'politics'are'shaped'by'their'respective'societal$definitions$of$gender$ norms&and&constructions)of)sexual)taboos,"which"are,"in"turn,!constricted*by*overlapping+and+ interdependent(systems(of(discrimination,(persecution,(and(subjugation;(such(as(those(based(on(age,( gender,'national'or'ethnic'origin,'race,'religion,'sexuality,'as'well'as'historical'practices'of'colonialism' and$environmental#exploitation.#' This%course%engages%with%complex%discussions%and%we%will%deal%with%sensitive%material%about% controversial,topics.,Therefore,,content,of,this,course,will,include,topics,that,may,be,difficult,for, some%people%to%confront!or#discuss.#' University of British Columbia

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GRSJ 224F Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Social Justice in Literature 2020-2021 Syllabus

COURSE'STRUCTURE ' This%course%is%entirely%online,%and%Canvas%is%the%learning%technology%we%will%use.%%The%course%is%organized% by#modules#and#each#module#divided#into#weeks.#Each#week#will#have#assigned#readings#and#a#series%of% Instructor’s*notes.**Throughout(the(course'there'are'graded'tasks'(five%quizzes,%five!250-350!word% written'assignments,#and#a"larger"video"or!written'project)"that"will$be$based$upon$readings,$the$content$ of#the#instructor’s#notes,"and$independent$research!for$the$larger$video$and$written'project."All"of"your" assignments)will)be)submitted)online.))You)will)have)chances)to)interact)with)your)instructor)and)other) students'via'the'Chat'Room.''Your'instructor'will'be'available'by'email.'

SCHEDULE'OF'TOPICS' COURSE'SCHEDULE' *Please'note'that'all'assignments'and'quizzes'due'by'11:59'PM'Friday'each'week. Week'1:'Sept'8—Sept'11'

☐ Entry'Poll Module'1:'Confessions'of'the'Fox' Week'2:'Sept'14—Sept'18' ☐ Readings ☐ Lecture ☐ Quiz'1 Week'3:'Sept'21—Sept'25' ☐ Readings ☐ Lecture Module'2:'10'Minutes'38'Seconds'in'this'Strange'World' Week'4:''Sept'28—Oct'2' ☐ Readings ☐ Lecture ☐ Quiz!2 Week'5:''Oct'5—Oct'9' ☐ Readings ☐ Lecture Module'3:'Quichotte' Week'6:'Oct'12—Oct'16' ☐ Readings ☐ Lecture ☐ Quiz'3 Week'7:'Oct'19—Oct'23' University of British Columbia

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GRSJ 224F Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Social Justice in Literature 2020-2021 Syllabus

☐ Readings ☐ Lecture Module'4:''Jonny'Appleseed' Week'8:'Oct'26—Oct'30' ☐ Readings ☐ Lecture ☐ Quiz'4 Week'9:'Nov'2—Nov'6' ☐ Readings ☐ Lecture Week'10:''Nov'9—Nov'13' ☐ Readings ☐ Lecture Module'5:''Milkman' Week'11:'Nov'16—Nov'20' ☐ Readings ☐ Lecture ☐ Quiz'5 Week'12:'Nov'23—Nov'27' ☐ Readings ☐ Lecture

Week'13:''Nov'30—Dec'4' ☐ Readings ☐ Lecture ☐ Exit'poll

LEARNING'OUTCOMES' 1. Expand'and'refine'competencies'of'reading,'thinking,'and'writing'critically'about complex'social'issues'as'they'are'represented'in'theory'and'in'literature. a. Identify'and'describe'different'manifestations'of'social'justice/injustice'and discern'the'cultural'complexities'inherent'in'those'manifestations.'

University of British Columbia

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GRSJ 224F Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Social Justice in Literature 2020-2021 Syllabus

b. Recognise'and'critically'analyze'cultural'norms'and'biases'in'a'way'that'leads'to an'understanding'of'how'norms'and'biases'affect'world-views.' c. Identify,'describe,'and'analyze'important'issues'of'social'justice'in'literature'from an'erudite'theoretical'perspective.' d. Ascertain'and'describe'how'power,'positionality,'privilege,'and'other'sociostructural'factors'impact'people'locally'and'globally. 2. Increase'capacity'to'analyze'cultural'texts'and'contexts,'and'apply'appropriate theoretical'models'to'those'texts'and'contexts. a. Describe'how'social'sciences,'historical'precedents,'social'theories, culture,'and'ethics'are'integral'to'development'of'an'informed'approach to'social'justice/injustice'issues'in'literature. b. Use'critical'theory'in'innovative,'integrative,'and'analytical'ways'to address'literary'and'theoretical'representations'of'social justice/injustice. c. Demonstrate'an'effective'knowledge'of'critical'tools'and'theories pertinent'to'the'study'of'social'structures'and'changes'as'they'are relevant'to'literary'representations'of'social'justice/injustice. 3. Enhance'abilities'to'entertain'and'engage'with'conflicting'arguments,'viewpoints,'and beliefs—and'to'assess'information'effectively'and'accurately. a. Identify'and'describe'the'implications'of'interpersonal'and'structural discrimination,'and'unequal'distribution'and'access'to'power'and'resources. b. Pinpoint'and'discuss'barriers'to'equality,'equity,'and'inclusiveness. c. Characterize'and'describe'the'hegemonic'structures'and'practices'that'foster social'injustice'and'oppression.' LEARNING'ACTIVITIES' This'course'is'specifically'designed'for'online'learners'who'want'to'further'develop'their'understanding' of'the'politics,'theories,'and'representations'of'gender,'race,'sexuality,'and'social'justice.''This'course'is' a'course'designed'for'people'who'enjoy'reading'literature'and'appreciate'the'insights'and'challenges'of' critical'and'cultural'theory.'The'novels'are'exceptionally'good'reads—but'they'are'not'light'reading,'the' theory'is'not'dumbed-down,'and'the'assigned'articles'are'almost'exclusively'peer-reviewed'scholarly' works.'' In'online'courses,'you'are'assumed'to'be'working'from'home—in'effect,'there'are'no'scheduled' classroom'meetings'or'tutorials'around'which'to'structure'and'schedule'your'readings'and'course' preparation.''This'can'be'both'liberating'and'challenging—and'if'not'managed'well,'can'significantly' downgrade'your'experience'of'the'course.''Here'is'a'useful'course'to'help'you'figure'out'your'own' strategies'for'working'from'home—not'all'of'it'will'be'practical'or'relevant'for'your'situation;'but'take' what'is'useful'and'leave'the'rest.' There'is'a'great'deal'of'independence'with'online'courses,'and'you'are'expected'to'step'up'and'take'a' bit'more'responsibility'for'your'own'learning.''This'course'will'assign'texts—and'assume'you'are' intelligent,'capable,'and'resourceful—and'not'spoon-feed'those'texts'back'to'you.''Therefore,'the' Instructor’s'notes'will'touch'on'specific'points'of'interest—not'offer'comprehensive'SparkNotes' University of British Columbia

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GRSJ 224F Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Social Justice in Literature 2020-2021 Syllabus

reiterations'and'break-downs'of'the'week’s'texts.''This'also'means'that'you'are'not'expected'to'sit' through'hours'of'professorial'ramblings—because,'in'short,'developing'your'scholarship'and'reading' skill'are'the'priorities.''With'this'course'you'are'not'only'learning'about'the'course'content,'you'are'also' learning'how'to'take'charge'of'your'own'time,'priorities,'research,'and'education,'as!well!as!gaining'the' skills'required'for'your'lifelong'learning,'wherever'that'may'take'you.''' The!course!assumes!that!you!have!a!working!knowledge!of!sex,!race,!gender,!and!social!justice!theories! well!in!hand,!so!we!will!not!be!reviewing!the!fundamentals.!!If!you!do!not!have!these!rudiments! mastered,!you!may!need!to!do!some!self-directed!reading.!!! This'course'is'evolving,'so'there'are,'perhaps,'some'unexpected'elements'for'students.''There'are' entrance,'exit,'and'module'polls—that'will'be'submitted'anonymously.'These'polls'are'designed'to' discern'any'issues'emerging'in'the'current'course,'and'to'improve'the'course'for'future'GRSJ'scholars.''I' encourage'you'to'participate'and'be'honest'with'these'polls—if'you'like'it,'say'so—if'you'do'not'like'it,' say'so.''Tell'me'what'works'for'you,'and'what'does'not'work'for'you—please!'' The'learning'activities'of'this'course'will'be'different'than'those'you'might'be'familiar'with—there'are' no'group'activities,'there'are'no'tutorial'discussions,'and'there'are'no'face-to-face'meetings'or'Zoom' classrooms;'your'only'means'of'communication'and'persuasion'are'your'words—and'that'can'be'an' incredibly'powerful'tool.''Canvas'allows'me'to'have'all'assignments'marked'blindly'without'names'and' any'indication'of'your'sex,'gender,'age,'cultural'heritage,'major,'or'previous'marks'in'the'course—each' and'every'entry'will'be'evaluated'as'a'‘stand'alone’'entry'that'way.''Your'words—what'you'write—will' be'read'and'marked'this'way.''In'short,'your'scholarship,'not'you,'is'being'evaluated.''You'might'be' fabulous,'but'if'your'assignments'are'sub-par,'they'will'be'marked'as'such—on'the'other'hand,'if'you' are'maybe'not'convinced'that'you'are'fabulous,'but'your'words'are—that'will'also'show'in'your'marks.'

LEARNING'MATERIALS' Most'of'the'reading'material'for'this'course'will'be'provided'via'online'reserves'available'as'digital' texts'from'UBC'library.''However,'you'are'responsible'for'purchasing'these'four'texts—all'of'them' are'available'as'e-books,'or'hard'copies'can'be'ordered'from'the'UBC'bookstore.''Please'note,'your' instructor'will'be'referring'to'pages'as'they'appear'in'the'digital'versions.' Burns,'Anna.'Milkman.'Greywolf'Press,'2018.' 360'pages' Rosenberg,'Jordy.!Confessions!of!the!Fox:!A!Novel.'Random'House'Publishing'Group,'2018.' 303'pages' Rushdie,'Salman.''Quichotte:!A!Novel.''Knopf'Canada,'2019.' 393'pages' Shafak,'Elif.(10!Minutes!38!Seconds!in!this!Strange!World.'Bloomsbury,'2019.' 313'pages'

ASSESSMENTS'OF'LEARNING'

University of British Columbia

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GRSJ 224F Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Social Justice in Literature 2020-2021 Syllabus

MISSED OR LATE ASSIGNMENTS, AND REGRADING OF ASSESSMENTS Late'assignments'without'extensions'will'be'subject'to'a'penalty'of'3%'per'day,'including'weekends' and'holidays'until'one'week'(7'days)'after'the'original''Friday'midnight'(Vancouver'time)'deadline.''' This'will'be'done'automatically'in'the'Canvas'grading'platform'so'that'late'assignments'will'be' marked'late'incrementally'by'hours,'rather'than'by'full'days.' If'an'assignment'is'late,'it'will'be'marked,'but'will'not'receive'comments.' After'7'days,'the'assignment'will'not'be'marked—and'will'receive'a'grade'of'0.' Extensions'can'be'arranged'for'extenuating'circumstances'or'illness,'but'must'be'requested'and' must'be'requested'and' discussed' discussed'with'your' with'your' with'your'instructor instructor instructor— —not!your!TA—at!least!24 at!least!24-h -h -hours!before!the! ours!before!the! ours!before!the!due!date due!date due!date.'.'.''If'life'serves'up' an'entirely'unexpected'crisis'for'you—it'is'best'to'email'me'as'soon'as'possible,'and'we'can'sort' something'out.' If'you'would'like'your'assignment're-marked,'please'email'Kathryn'([email protected])' Please'note,'if'you'request'me'to're-mark'an'assignment'(if'I'was'not'the'original'marker)'you'will' receive'comments,'and'a'mark'which'may'be'lower,'the'same,'or'higher'than'your'first'mark.' Your'instructor'and'your'TA'are'not'writing'coaches;'please'do'not'ask'either'of'us'to'‘preview’'an' assignment'and'give'you'advice,'hints,'tips,'or'strategies'on'how'to'improve'your'submission.''If'you' need'help'with'your'writing,'please'contact'UBC’s'Centre'for'Writing'and'Scholarly'Communication.''

UNIVERSITY'POLICIES'

UBC'provides'resources'to'support'student'learning'and'to'maintain'healthy'lifestyles'but'recognizes' that'sometimes'crises'arise'and'so'there'are'additional'resources'to'access'including'those'for' survivors'of'sexual'violence.'UBC'values'respect'for'the'person'and'ideas'of'all'members'of'the' academic'community.'Harassment'and'discrimination'are'not'tolerated'nor'is'suppression'of' academic'freedom.'UBC'provides'appropriate'accommodation'for'students'with'disabilities'and'for' religious'observances.'UBC'values'academic'honesty'and'students'are'expected'to'acknowledge'the' ideas'generated'by'others'and'to'uphold'the'highest'academic'standards'in'all'of'their'actions.' Details'of'the'policies'and'how'to'access'support'are'available'on'the'UBC'Senate'website.'

OTHER'COURSE'POLICIES' Plagiarism'Policy' University of British Columbia

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GRSJ 224F Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Social Justice in Literature 2020-2021 Syllabus

Guide'to'Academic'Integrity' UBC'Grading'Guidelines'

Respect'yourself,'respect'your'instructor'and'TA,'and'respect'your'peers.' GRSJ:'Statement'of'Respect'and'Inclusion' Gender,'Race,'Sexuality'and'Social'Justice'(GRSJ)'is'a'multidisciplinary'field,'which'brings' together'teachers'and'students'from'diverse'academic'and'personal'backgrounds,'ways'of' learning,'communicating'and'responding'to'assignments.'This'diversity'is'an'intellectual'asset' that'can'benefit'from'common'principles'of'critical'thinking'and'academic'guidelines'in' evaluation'procedures'across'all'Institute'courses.'Non-sexist,'non-racist,'non-homophobic,' non-transphobic'and'nonheterosexist'language'is'expected'in'GRSJ'class'discussions'and'course' assignments.' The'GRSJ'Institute'is'committed'to'creating'a'respectful'workplace'and'learning'environment' that'supports'inclusion'based'on'the'principles'of'equity,'diversity'and'social'justice.'Our' Institute’s'commitments'and'approach'to'ensuring'these'principles'at'the'institutional'level' include'progressive'approaches'to'inclusive'campus'culture;'equitable'demographic' composition;'orienting'new'students,'faculty,'and'staff'to'relevant'policies'and'procedures;'and' a'social'justice'perspective'on'learning,'teaching'and'research'in'order'to'create'an'educational' and'employment'environment'that'supports'our'community'members’'full'participation.'The' Institute'is'committed'to'providing'accessible,'usable,'and'welcoming'spaces'for'faculty,'staff,' students,'and'visitors'with'disabilities,'members'of'racialized'communities,'trans'and'genderdiverse'peoples,'regardless'of'their'age,'income,'social'status,'religion,'ethno-'linguistic,' nationality'and'citizenship'status.' GRSJ'courses'occur'in'learning'environments'that'are'inclusive'of'gender'identity,'gender' expression,'sex,'race,'ethnicity,'class,'sexual'orientation,'ability,'age,'etc.'Students,'instructors,' visitors'and'readings/media'in'GRSJ'courses'often'raise'controversial'issues.'Learners'and' educators'expect'to'be'treated'respectfully'at'all'times'and'in'all'interactions.'Disagreements' can'occur'among'course'participants'without'being'disagreeable'and'offensive.' LEARNING'ANALYTICS' Canvas'captures'data'about'your'online'course'activity'and'provides'information'that'can'be'used'to' improve'the'quality'of'teaching'and'learning.'In'this'course,'Canvas'analytics'data'WILL'BE'USED'to:'' •View'overall'class'progress •Track'your'progress'in'order'to'provide'you'with'personalized'feedback •Record'and'store'assignment'submissions—and'calculate''lateness'of'assignment incrementally—rather'than'in'24'hour'blocks. University of British Columbia

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GRSJ 224F Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Social Justice in Literature 2020-2021 Syllabus

•Review'statistics'on'course'content'being'accessed'to'support'improvements'in'the'course •Track'participation'in'discussion'forums •Assess'your'participation'in'the'course

LEARNING'RESOURCES' Please'familiarize'yourself'with'the'contents'of'the'course,'and'the'online'use'of'UBC’s'library.''If'a' course'link'to'an'article'is'not'working—rather'than'emailing'your'instructor;'try'finding'it'yourself' first.''Although'links'to'the'assigned'readings'for'each'module'are'provided'for'your'convenience—as' your'studies'continue'and'your'scholarship'increases'in'sophistication,'you'will'need'to'use'library' resources'to'complete'your'assignments.'

COPYRIGHT' All'materials'of'this'course'(course'handouts,'lecture'slides,'assessments,'course'readings,'etc.)'are' the'intellectual'property'of'the'Course'Instructor'or'licensed'to'be'used'in'this'course'by'the'copyright' owner.'Redistribution'of'these'materials'by'any'means'without'permission'of'the'copyright'holder(s)' constitutes'a'breach'of'copyright'and'may'lead'to'academic'discipline.' Recording'or'copying'of'lectures'is'not'permitted(

University of British Columbia

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