Gender, Sex, and Political Theory

3 units

This course offers graduate students an overview of topics in feminist political theory. The primary goals of the class are two-fold: first, to introduce students to the history of feminist political thought from the 19th century onwards, and second, to canvas contemporary debates. The course is divided into three sections. In Part I, we will investigate canonical texts from the development of feminist political thought from the 19th into the 20th century. In Part II, we will read works by contemporary feminist theorists that interrogate enduring concepts and themes within political theory – including the social contract, the state, freedom, autonomy, equality, and power. Finally, in Part III we will turn to cutting edge debates within contemporary feminist political theory.