This course examines feminist theories, practices, and methodologies in relation to globalization and transnationalism in a variety of contexts within the U.S and around the globe. It explores how transnational feminist theories and methodologies destabilize Western feminisms, challenging notions of subjectivity and place and their connections to experiences of race, class, and gender. The course builds on four key concepts: colonialism, development, cultural change, and democratization. Because transnational feminisms are represented by the development of women’s movements from around the globe, the course considers examples of women’s global networks and the ways in which they interrogate concepts like gender, sexuality, citizenship and rights. We also examine how transnational feminisms have influenced women’s productions in the fields of literature, film, and visual art. Key questions included:
- How does the history of global feminisms affect local women’s movements?
- What specific issues have galvanized women’s movements across national and regional borders?
- How do feminism and critiques of colonialism and imperialism intersect?
- What role might feminist agendas play in addressing current global concerns?
- How do transnational feminisms build and sustain communities and connections to further their agendas?
