COURSE UNIT TITLE

Offered By

American Culture and Literature

Level of Course Unit

Third Cycle Programmes (Doctorate Degree)

Course Coordinator

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR NILSEN GÖKÇEN ULUK

Offered to

American Culture and Literature

Course Objective

The aim of this course is, firstly, to introduce Ecofeminism as a field of study that considers the hierarchical human-nature and male-female relationships in the same context, underlining the parallels between and the simultaneity of their emergence and workings and provides the a methodology by which these two most fundamental hierarchies can be studied within the framework of social justice; secondly to deconstruct and demystify the hierarchical human-nature and male-female relations which present themselves as "natural" and, lastly, based on the associations between women and nature, to demonstrate with examples the construction of all forms of hierarchies, be it class, race or gender, on the basis of these two forms of power relations. After such theoretical foundations, various definitions, branches and fields of Ecofeminism will be introduced along with its relations with other feminisms and ecological thoughts.

Learning Outcomes of the Course Unit

Mode of Delivery

Face -to- Face

Prerequisites and Co-requisites

None

Recomended Optional Programme Components

None

Course Contents

Recomended or Required Reading

Sherry B. Ortner, "Is Female to Male as Nature is to Culture "
Michelle Zimbalist Rosaldo, Woman, Culture, and Society: A Theoretical Overview
Carolyn Merchant, The Death of Nature: Women, Ecology and the Scientific Revolution.
---., Earthcare: Women and the Environment.
---, Ed., Major Problems in American Environmental History.
Paula Gunn Allen, The Sacred Hoop: Recovering the Feminine in American Indian Traditions.
Barbara Kingsolver, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle.
Karen J. Warren, ed., Ecofeminism: Women, Culture, Nature.
Maria Mies and Vandana Shiva, Ecofeminism.
Val Plumwood, Feminism and the Mastery of Nature
Noel Sturgeon, Ecofeminist Natures: Race Gender, Feminist Theory and Political Action.
Josephine Donovan, Animals and Women: Theoretical Explorations
Carol J. Adams, Beyond Animal Rights: A Feminist Tradition in the Care of Animals
---., Ecofeminism and the Sacred
Clarissa Pinkola Estes, Women Who Run with the Wolves
Patrick D. Murphy, Literature, Nature, and Other.

Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods

Lecture
Discussion
Text Analysis
Student Presentations

Assessment Methods

Further Notes About Assessment Methods

None

Assessment Criteria

Either the midterm or the final of this course will involve writing a research paper. The minimum criteria in the evaluation of this assignment will be the sensibleness and coherence of the argument, fluency of the development of ideas and thoughts, the quality and range of research, the intellectual level of the analyses and syntheses of the sources, their integration to the main idea, and the success in the accuracy, fluency in the idiomatic usage of language. The latest version of the MLA documentation style shall be employed in the research paper. The Wrks Cited must include at least ten secondary sources. Study aids such as Cliffsnotes, Sparksnotes will not be accepted as part of the Works Cited.
The minimum criteria for the in-class exam with essay type questions include the logical associations with the question, coherence and consistency in the unfolding and development of the idea(s), and the accurate and fluent usage of language.
In the presentations the minimum criteria for evaluation are an overall command of material, clarity and succinctness of verbal expression, organization of thoughts and ideas, timing, and the knowledgeableness of the presenting student in answering questions in the ensuing discussion.
In order to be able to follow class discussions and lectures, the students must read the required material for the week. Each student is thus expected to be ready to participate in an intellectually stimulating discussion of the texts. In addition, s/he is expected to establish ties between the present and previously introduced material in order to be able to develop a wider perspective on underlying issues.
In the quizzes, the questions are tailored to evaluate the student s class preparation for the day; therefore, they will be based on facts in rather than interpretations of the assigned materials.
In all sorts of exams, personal interpretations must be supported by facts and fact-based knowledge on the part of the student.
The grade from class participation will be earned based on the intellectual level of the student s class

Language of Instruction

English

Course Policies and Rules

Any attempt at plagiarism at research papers will result in failure in this course and start a legal process against the student.
The minimum attendance requirement for this class is 70 %.

Contact Details for the Lecturer(s)

Address:Faculty of Letters Building Office A 220
Phone: (232) 301 86 78
E-mail: gokcenils@yahoo.com

Office Hours

By appointment.

Work Placement(s)

None

Workload Calculation

Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes