Lecture 1: Methodological Tools

Introduction

• First lecture recorded outdoors.
• Lecture focus: introduction to key terms.
• Importance of checking the syllabus.
• Weekly tasks after the first week:
  • Lecture to take notes on.
  • Weekly reading and reading response (summary and analysis required).
  • Video assignment with a list or response.
  • Email all assignments to the professor's Mt. SAC email.
  • Avoid multiple emails, try to consolidate.

Key Terms

Gender

• Definition: Culturally constructed ideas about womanhood and manhood, differing across cultures and time.
• Not:
  • Sex (biological aspect).
  • A code word for women or girl-related things.
• Everyone has gender: women, men, non-binary individuals.
• Variability: Diverse expressions of gender (e.g., sporty, old lady professor).
• Cultural Dependence: Ideas about gender depend on cultural context and time.

Patriarchy

• Definition: Cultural system of male domination privileging men, affecting women's possibilities and rights.
• Androcentrism: Societal focus on male interests.
• Impact:
  • Unequal pay, abuse, objectification, unrealistic beauty standards.
  • Rape culture and male-dominated industries.
• Privilege: Benefits men differently, not privileging all equally.
• Stereotypes: Enforce limiting gender roles and unrealistic portrayals.

Feminism

• Definition: Belief and advocacy for women's equal rights and opportunities.
• Misconceptions:
  • Negative portrayal by political right.
  • Radical actions attributed to feminists are false.
• Inclusivity: Anyone, regardless of gender, can be a feminist.
• Focus: Equal opportunity, not making everyone identical.

Coverture

• Definition: Legal principle of women as property of fathers and then husbands.
• Historical Impact:
  • Lack of women's rights (property, legal, voting, divorce).
  • Widows were exceptions, known as femme sole.
• Modern Context: Some legal restrictions persisted into mid-20th century.
• Wedding Traditions: Reflect historical ideas of ownership and property.

Conclusion

• Importance of understanding gender, patriarchy, and feminism in a historical context.
• Reminder to complete and submit assignments to avoid being marked as a no-show.
• Encouragement to spread love and positivity.

End of Lecture