Critical Social Inquiry 0192 - New Feminisms of/Global South

This course will explore how women have been at the forefront of articulating a radical vision of politics and de-colonisation in the Global South, through a comparative exploration of feminisms in Latina American countries, such as Bolovia, and India. We will explore how far from being an 'imported' copy of Western feminism, or an 'alien' concept, feminism in these countries draws upon vibrant local legacies of women resisting colonialism, a flawed model of development and hetero-patriarchal oppression. Margaret Cerullo will draw upon her long association with and research into Latin America to lead students through an exploration of how Latin America has become the "turbulent center" of new movements, ideas, and practices, new subjectivities and challenges that are effectively de-centering Europe and the US as the site of knowledge production and political innovation. Uditi Sen will draw upon her own participation in queer and feminist movements in India and her research into Indian politics and history to illuminate how Indian feminists negotiate the double burden of 'traditional' and colonial patriarchies, and articulate radical new visions of azadi or liberation. We hope to bring into dialogue, through skype or actual visits, and through student engagement, feminists and feminisms from these two regions. Students are expected to spend six to eight hours every week in preparation for classes and in producing the required assignments.

Power, Community and Social Justice Independent Work Multiple Cultural Perspectives Writing and Research Students are expected to spend at least six to eight hours a week of preparation and work outside of class time.