Program Overview

Philosophy of Feminism II (PHIL*4060)

Course Details

The Philosophy of Feminism II course is an advanced study in feminist philosophy, focusing on the contentious landscape of transnational feminist activism and theory.

Course Description

This course examines current debates about the potentials and pitfalls of global feminist responsibility and solidarity. Through an engagement with recent key texts in this scholarship, the course explores the manners in which global systems of power and oppression are interrelated, including gender, sexuality, race, class, ethnicity, colonialism, and imperialism. It also delves into the prospects of what transnational feminism can be or do.

Course Structure

In the first half of the semester, the course frames and situates global responsibility within the global political landscape by reading the work of prominent contemporary feminist political theorists, such as Iris Marion Young and Brooke Ackerly. The second half of the semester investigates what may hinder or challenge global political responsibility and solidarity from a feminist perspective, critically reflecting on how 'saving narratives' are used in Western activist or political discourses about non-Western women. Key concepts of transnational feminist political theorizing, such as intersectionality, imperialism, indigeneity, paternalism, culture, and postcolonialism, are also explored.

Specific Topics

• The course begins by examining the complexities of global feminist responsibility and solidarity.
• It then moves on to investigate the challenges to these concepts, including the use of 'saving narratives' in Western discourses.
• The emergence of online feminist activism is discussed, using the #MeToo campaign as an example.

College and Department

The course is part of the College of Arts, specifically within the Department of Philosophy.

Research Areas

The Department of Philosophy at the University of Guelph engages in various research areas, including but not limited to:

• Feminist philosophy
• Political philosophy
• Ethics
• Theoretical and practical aspects of intersectionality, imperialism, indigeneity, paternalism, culture, and postcolonialism.

Areas of Study

The College of Arts offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across several departments and schools, including:

• School of Theatre, English, and Creative Writing
• School of Fine Art and Music
• School of Languages and Literatures
• Department of History
• Department of Philosophy
• Interdisciplinary Programs

Facilities and Resources

The University of Guelph provides various facilities and resources to support academic and research endeavors, including libraries, research centers, and collaborative workspaces.

Academic Environment

The academic environment at the University of Guelph is conducive to learning and research, with a focus on interdisciplinary collaboration, critical thinking, and intellectual exploration.