ECOFEMINISM

WS 215

BLOCK 3

Jeffrey Noblett, Geology                                           

Palmer 6, x 6516                                                        

What is Ecofeminism?

Many authors have offered a myriad of responses to this question. We will try to examine some of those responses in this block. Ecofeminism examines the conjunction of feminist theory and deep ecology (an understanding of the place of humans and other living systems within the Earth System). It connects ideas about environmental justice with those of environmental degradation by using the common theme of domination. It suggests that the domination of women by men, people of color by white people, Third World people by First World People, and non-human nature by humans all have common roots. It links the oppression of women with racism with economic exploitation with environmental destruction.

Ecofeminism is also about discovering your connection to place. What parts of this planet do you call home (and feel at home in)? What concerns do you have for your place on this planet? What spiritual connections would allow you to be at home? Where?

The concerns of ecofeminism are also quite diverse. Issues ecofeminists have discussed include: critiques of science and technology, agricultural practices-sustainability-the Green Revolution, reproductive rights-genetic engineering, animal rights, toxic waste and the NIMBY principle, militarism, women's place in the global factory, Third World debt structures, population issues, the politics of energy, of health, and of food, modern religions and alternative approaches to spirituality, to name a few. Fundamental themes running throughout our discussions will include: domination/power, dualisms, the identification of woman with nature, diversity, sustainability, appropriate uses of science and technology among others.

In this class, we will start with a brief background on the concept of ecofeminism, environmental degradation, and deep ecology perspectives. We follow the approach that several ecofeminists have taken by suggesting there are three major pathways through which people have become ecofeminists: 1) through environmental awareness; 2) through political activism; and 3) through spiritual growth. This class is structured to discuss aspects of each of these three approaches, while understanding they are not mutually exclusive.

I expect significant effort from each of you in terms of reading to comprehend and of participation in discussion. It is through the open debate that each of our ideas will bring to the class, that we can all develop our personal sense of place. I expect each of us to respect one another's ideas, while feeling free to challenge each other to re-think our positions.

Class Meetings:

We will normally meet from 9:30 to noon in Palmer 18

The two field trips will leave from the parking area north of Tutt Library at 9:00 sharp. Please make arrangements to bring your own lunch (we can place orders for those on Marriott), water bottles and appropriate outdoor clothing.

Texts:

Merchant, Radical Ecology (abbreviated RE in the syllabus)

Diamond, Orenstein, Reweaving the Web, the Emergence of Ecofeminism (RW)

Bullard,ed., Confronting Environmental Racism, Voices from the Grassroots (CER)

Readings Packets- numerous articles assigned for particular discussions (P-)

Grading: The course grade is based on four major components:

Class Participation and Presentations	20%
Journal	25%
Home-Turf Poster and Analysis	25%
Final Research Paper	30%
	100%

Comments on the graded projects:

In class: If you're not here, you can't participate

Journal: I expect you to keep a daily journal including reflections on the readings, discussions, etc. You may include drawings, poems, essays, or other fairly coherent thoughts. I will ask you to respond to specific questions, as noted in the syllabus or given during class, but also expect you to consider your own questions. Date each entry and mark the questions you are responding to well. I will collect the journals each Friday.

Home-Turf Poster: In keeping with the theme of a sense of place, I will ask each of you to identify the place on this planet, which you most consider your home. Then you will research the basic geology and ecology of that place with attention to environmental issues. Finally, you will present a poster board of your work to the class (2nd Friday of the block) and include a 1-2 page commentary on how an ecofeminist would live there and approach the issues.

Final Paper: This is a normal research paper that will identify an issue of interest to ecofeminism (the topic must be discussed with me), analyze it and offer an ecofeminist critique of the issue. Your critique will inform me of how well you have mastered the material of this class