Writing at Denison: Women's Studies
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Description of the Discipline
The Women's Studies program at Denison is an interdisciplinary program that aims to engage students in an examination of the intersections of identity categories such as race, class, gender, and religion. We also study the ways in which these intersections influence and affect individuals. For more about the Womens Studies program, visit the program's website.
Citation Style Used
MLA is the predominant style used, though classes cross-listed with another discipline (sociology, for example) may use other citation styles.
Examples of In-Text Citations:
- Author named in a signal phrase
Shulamit Reinharz asserts that one of the three goals of feminist ethnographies is "to understand the experience of women from their point of view" (51). - Author not named in signal phrase
The study, conducted in 1971, compared 220 "study" children born to women twice-denied legal abortion for the same pregnancy, to 220 "control" children born to women who did not apply for abortion (Dytrych et al. 165).
Examples of Works Cited Entries:
- Book
Reinharz, Shulamit. Feminist Methods in Social Research. New York: Oxford UP, 1992. - Author not named in signal phrase
Dytrych, Zdenek, et al. "Children Born to Women Denied Abortion." Family Planning Perspectives 7.4 (1975): 165-171.
For more examples of MLA and to learn more about how to improve your general writing skills, visit http://dianahacker.com/bedhandbook.
Organization/Required Components
Research Papers/Essays
Similar to other departments/programs, one of the most important components of a Womens Studies research paper or essay is an argumentative and analytical thesis. Writers shouldn't simply describe the problem; rather, writers should "dig into" the issue or topic and ask probing questions, questions that may very well reveal the issue/problem/topic to be more complicated than previously thought. A strong introduction, which includes the thesis, and an equally powerful conclusion are also important elements when writing a research papers and essays. Good research databases include:
Gender Studies Database
GenderWatch
LGBT Life
Womens History Online 1543-1945
Womens Studies International
Reflection Papers/Essays
Because an awareness of one's own subjectivity is important aspect of the Women's Studies program and curriculum, sometimes students may be asked to write a reflection paper. This type of assignment may ask/allow students to think about the readings they have done for class and then to apply the concepts of those readings to a particular event (personal, academic) or convocation. The professor will likely specify what he or she expects for the content and format of the paper, though reflection papers often do not require a thesis and sometimes have a more casual writing style about them.
Voice
The issue of voice is a literal issue for Women's Studies scholars and feminists alike. Oftentimes, oppressive majority groups silence minority groups. Therefore, in our writing we must also be careful not to let our "voice" take command over others' voices. We should be cautious not to generalize one individual's opinion as "speaking" for everyone who may fall into his/her respective race, gender, class, religion, and so on. Even among groups that have the same goals, perspectives can differ: not all pro-life individuals support abortion exemptions for rape and incest, and not all feminists believe that women should quit being housewives and establish professional careers that take them out of their homes.
Types of Writing Assignments
Students in the Women's Studies program will be asked to write within a wide spectrum of assignments, varying from class to class and professor to professor. These assignments include, but are not limited to, semester-long research projects, questions on daily readings, and reflections/responses to campus convocations.
Research Process
When conducting research, one should always be aware of the social/political/economical/critical context of the issue. For example, the lives of housewives in France are different from the lives of housewives in the United States; therefore, we must be aware of the cultural differences between these two countries and make sure not to universalize all housewives or to impose American ideologies of housewifery upon French housewives. Moreover, when researching a topic, one should be aware of what theorists/critics/scholars have already said or are currently saying about the topic. With what do you agree and with what do you disagree? Where do you fit into the conversation? Your ultimate goal should be to generate an analytical thesis, so you do not want simply to report on what other researchers are doing. What do you have to say about the topic/issue/problem and why is it significant?
Common Mistakes
As a writer/researcher/student, one should be careful with the terms and language used when conveying ideas. While you want to use specific and concrete language, remember also to define the terms and ideas that you use in order to 1) clarify what you deem to be the meaning, and 2) subsequently avoid conveying to readers that you assume your definition/perception/idea to be "the" definition/perception/idea. See also: "Voice" (above) and "Preferred Language" (below).
Preferred Language (jargon, pronouns)
In general, of course, it is important for students/writers to be aware of the language they are using and of the consequences that language may produce. Avoid making sweeping claims about "all women" or "all Third World Women," or "all men." Remember, context matters and even our own social/economic/intellectual positions in society affect our perceptions of, and our writings about, issues/problems/topics.
References
Denison University. Women's Studies. 6 March 2007.
Tromp, Marlene. Personal communication. 21 March 2007.
"Writing Women's Studies Papers." Writing Workshop: Writing in Specific Areas. Wesleyan University Writing Center. 22 March 2007.
Prepared by Lauren Volpe.