The course provides an introduction to feminist philosophy and feminist political philosophy. You will learn how these subjects are placed within the history of ideas through a reading of original texts by feminist authors. The majority of readings are provided, or accessible online, however you will need to have to hand a copy of the Set Book - An Introduction to Feminist Philosophy by Alison Stone.
Among the authors we will read are Mary Wollstonecraft, Genevieve Lloydd, Luce Irigeray and Iris Marion Young.
Outline
Part 1 - Feminist Philosophy
Topic 1 - Genevieve Lloyd
Aim - To enable you to understand the general shape
of the history of ideas and the lack of input from women in its development.
Topic 2 - Elisabeth of Bohemia
Aim - To understand the nature and importance of Descartes'
philosophy and Elisabeth's criticisms.
Topic 3 - Maria von Herbert
Aim - To enable you to understand the gist of Kant`s
moral philosophy and the feminist implications of von Herbert`s encounter
with Kant.
Topic 4 - Irigaray and Continental Philosophy
Aim - To enable you to understand that
continental philosophy differs from analytic philosophy in performing
its criticisms of it – in
this case it criticises Plato's analogy of the cave.
Part 2 - Feminist Political Philosophy
Topic 5 - Mary Wollstonecraft
Aim - To
enable you to understand the background to Wollstonecraft's tirade,
namely Rousseau, Burke and Paine and debates over the French revolution.
Topic 6 - Gender and Sexual Difference
Aim - To enable
you to understand that there have been different waves of feminism
during the twentieth century and to understand debates over gender
and sexual difference.
We look at the sex/gender distinction, Butler on Gender,
and Irigaray on Sexual Difference.
Topic 7 - Public and Private
Aim - To enable you to understand the private/public
divide in politics and how women have frequently been confined to the
private.
Conclusion
Topic 8 - Erasmus - "Folly" and "Peace"
Aim - To enable
you to understand that a female point of view was being put forward
at this early date in Erasmus' characters of “Folly” and “Peace”.
Who should take this course?
Anyone with an interest in feminism, or feminist activists who wish to learn about feminist philosophy.
Follow On
After the course, students should hopefully be able to situate feminist debates within the history of ideas and thus be empowered to take part in further debate.
If you want to further your education, you could take one of our other courses in philosophy, or you could move on to take a related philosophy course at a higher educational institute.
You will need
You will need this book: An Introduction to Feminist Philosophy, by Alison Stone. You can buy it here through Amazon or through your own favourite bookseller
Entry Requirements
There are no formal entry requirements, and no prior knowledge of philosophy is assumed.
How long is this course?
About 35 hours,
and we suggest you set aside about 4 hours a week - but it's up to you.
You will have tutor support for 4 months.
You will have access to your course for a year.
Your tutor
Your tutor for this course is Jenifer Booth.
You can find out more about on
the Tutors page.
Further information
Click here to download a leaflet. (PDF format)
Do you have any further questions? Visit our Contact
Us page and ask away.
