WST 100 - Intro To Women's Studies: Gender & Soc Protest In Usa

Institution:

University of Rochester

Subject:

Description:

Nineteenth-century American women's sentimental fiction--tear-jerking tales like Fern's "Ruth Hall" and Stowe's "Uncle Tom's Cabin" that aimed to provoke their readers' sympathy for the downtrodden--has a complex reception history. Many critics have believed it lacks literary merit due to its ostensible reliance on manipulating emotion as opposed to engaging literary intellect. Recently, though, readers influenced by feminism have demonstrated the sexist character of anti-sentimentalist criticism. These scholars have called attention to the tradition's artistry and perspective on the lived experience of the non-empowered, particularly women. Critics have also, though, revealed how such fiction also reinforces normative gender hierarchies. As we explore these and related issues while reading sentimental fiction, also considering how the genre has influenced our own artistic and cultural values, this course will introduce students to a number of historical, literary and theoretical approaches to gender studies.

Credits:

2.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.rochester.edu

Phone Number:

(888) 822-2256

Regional Accreditation:

Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Semester

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