Feminisms Discussion Group

Wednesdays 7:30 - 9:30pm

147 Wyndham Rd. N. (CMHA, beside Diana's Restaurant)

this course is continuing in the summer semester - pls see 'The F-Word Continued' outline under the Summer Semester Courses

rather than looking at what are traditionally considered women's issues, we want to look at how feminism informs daily life and vice versa. what is womanism? feminism? how are these theories relevant or not to our daily lives? who are they relevant to? although there are readings/other sources for most weeks, the discussions will focus on people's personal experiences. we want to develop actions & other projects out of these discussions. the structure & topics are really flexible. please contact us if you're coming

using readings, guest speakers, videos, field trips, actions

**note: discussion group will be restricted - we ask that people who were born male, raised male AND who continue to identify as male do not attend. if you have been born, raised and identify as male, you might want to check out the anti-patriarchy class benig offered next semester instead. all others welcome. thanks for respecting this request. any questions, please email.

Tentative schedule:

(the readings are possibilities, will post links along the way)

Jan. 25th - general discussion of feminisms/womanisms. How do you experience patriarchy coupled with all the –isms (race, class, sex, etc.)? what is gender? how do internalized oppressions work?

Feb. 1st - relationships: friendships with other women, intimate relationships, and our fathers

• Tzintzún – "Colonize This!"
• from Dance of Anger – “Challenge of Anger”
• from Catfight – “Introduction”

Feb. 8th - activism and direct actions

• "Women rising in resistance" @ http://www.womenrisinginresistance.org/archive/womenstudies.html
• "Notes towards an (anarchist? feminist?)..." @ http://auto_sol.tao.ca/node/view/50
• search out info on Rote Zora, Women's Fire Brigadela, karakola, Zapatista Women... who else can you find?

Feb. 15th - blood day – DIY fertility/birth control & cunt happy alternatives to evil expensive chemical menstrual products.

• Bring material if you have it – terry cloth, t-shirt, flannel, fleece

Feb. 22nd - celebrating traditions, reconciling politics

• Horn-Miller – "Bring us back into the dance"
• Pratt - "Identity, Skin, Blood, Heart"

Mar. 1st - pop feminism

• Goldman – "woman suffrage" @ http://womenshistory.about.com/library/etext/bl_eg_an9_woman_suffrage.htm

Mar. 8th – going to see a Panel Discussion - BEYOND LAWS: MY RIGHT TO BE ME

• at the University of Guelph, University Centre Room 103 7-9pm
• Marie Clarke Walker, Executive Vice President of the Canadian Labour Congress, Dr. Rozena Maart & others. Moderated by: Dr. Deborah Woodman
• part of the Women's Resource Centre's day of programming for International Women's Day

Mar. 15th – femininities – attacking women vs. attacking patriarchy, the beauty myth within activist cultures, co-opting/exploiting dominant conceptions of femininity.

• Saul - "Feminine Appearance" and Austin - "Femme-Inism"

Mar. 22nd – CLASS CANCELLED, SORRY

Mar. 29th - know your rights legal workshop with mandy **7pm start**

• for interest: “Fight like a girl” @ http://grrrlatrix.tripod.com/fight.htm

Apr. 5th – art, like hard core – guest speaker alison on feminist activist art

Apr. 12th the sex industry

• Readings: good girls, bad girls