Course Syllabus

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Phil M187– Special Topics in Feminist Philosophy
Feminist Approaches to Knowledge and Science

Instructor: Alex Peláez (she/her)
apelaez@humnet.ucla.edu                  

Office Hours Scheduling Link            

I. Course Description

What is the relationship between gender and knowledge? What is gender? How, if at all, does gender influence our practices of inquiry and justification? We critically examine the concepts of gender, gender identity, race, and sexual orientation. We explore the implications of these concepts for feminist projects. We discuss how gender, race, and class are entwined with capitalist structures, state power, and democracy. We consider the costs of failing to include traditionally marginalized voices in our theorizing, and we consider whether this exclusion is a form of ‘epistemic injustice.’

II. Materials & Format

There is no textbook for this course. All readings will be posted on the course BruinLearn site. (Links will appear on the syllabus below.)  Likewise, any additional course materials (e.g. handouts, slides, etc.) will be posted on BruinLearn. It is very important to check BruinLearn regularly for updates!

The class will vary in format depending on the content and goals for the day. Some classes will be lecture-based, others discussion-based. 

III. Assignments & Grading

Grading Breakdown

  1. Initial Office Hours Discussion: 5%
  2. Participation: 20%
  3. Weekly homework assignments: 60%
  4. Follow-up Office Hours Discussion: 15%

A. Initial Office Hours Discussion (5%)

Come to office hours sometime within weeks 2-3 to introduce yourself and chat with me in a relaxed one-on-one environment. The purpose of this is to help us get acquainted and to encourage communication.

B. Participation (20%)

Participation is important and expected. Attendance alone is not sufficient for earning full participation points. Though it will primarily be earned in class—through the completion of small tasks (e.g. reconstructing arguments in standard form), team-based assignments, and general participation (e.g. asking questions)—participation credit can also be earned in office hours.

C. Weekly Homework Assignments (60%)

Weekly reading and homework assignments will be posted every Monday. You will have until Friday at 11:59pm to complete the reading and homework for that week. This allows you the opportunity to ask questions about the material at any point during the week, whether in class or during office hours. Each homework assignment will be worth 10%, and there will be 6 assignments in total.                         

D. Follow-up Discussion (15%)

Sometime within weeks 5-6, we will plan to meet (one-on-one for approximately 20-minutes) for a substantive discussion about the course material. In preparation for this meeting, you should review and bring notes on previous homework questions or in-class activities that you found particularly interesting or worth discussing further. We will discuss the format of the follow-up discussion in the weeks leading up to it.

IV. Tentative Reading List & Schedule– subject to change

This schedule is designed to be read in the order listed. This schedule may change—always consult the course website and check your email for updates!

Week 1

Reading and Homework on BruinLearn:

Introduction: Feminism, Epistemology, Philosophy of Science and their Intersections (Crasnow and Intemann 2024)

Homework 1 Due: Friday 6/28 at 11:59pm.

*Note: In-person lectures cancelled this week.*

Week 2

Reading and Homework on BruinLearn:

Who knows? (Crasnow and Intemann 2024)

Homework 2 Due: Friday 7/05 at 11:59pm.

Lecture 1

Who knows?: Traditional View

  • Excerpts from Descartes Meditations
  • Gettier (1963)

Lecture 2

Who knows?: Feminist Critique

  • Excerpts from Code (1991)

Week 3

Reading and Homework on BruinLearn:

How do we know? (Crasnow and Intemann 2024)

Homework 3 Due: Friday 7/12 at 11:59pm.

Lecture 3

The Value Free Ideal for Science

  • Excerpts from McMullin (1982)
  • Excerpts from Kofi-Bright (2018)

Lecture 4

Feminist Values in Science

  • Anderson (2004)

Week 4

Reading and Homework on BruinLearn:

What don't we know? (Crasnow and Intemann 2024)

Homework 4 Due: Friday 7/19 at 11:59pm.

Lecture 5

Ignorance

  • Tuana (2006)

Lecture 6

Consciousness Raising

  • MacKinnon (1982)

Week 5

Reading and Homework on BruinLearn:

Why does it matter what we know? (Crasnow and Intemann 2024)

Homework 5 Due: Friday 7/26 at 11:59pm.

Lecture 7

Testimonial Injustice

  • Fricker (2007)

Lecture 8

Hermeneutical Injustice

  • Fricker (2007)

Week 6

Reading and Homework on BruinLearn:

How can we know better? (Crasnow and Intemann 2024)

Homework 6 Due: Friday 8/02 at 11:59pm.

Lecture 9

Procedural Diversity

  • Excerpts from Longino (1990, 1993, 2002)

Lecture 10

Standpoint Diversity

  • Intemann (2010)

Week 7

Office hours meetings as usual and by appointment

V. Course Policies

Regarding classroom etiquette, the most important policy to keep in mind is to always abide by the Principle of Charity (POC). Formally, the POC requires that you interpret a speaker’s statements in the most persuasive way possible, so as to render those statements rational and worthy of philosophical engagement. Intuitively, this requires that you give everyone you interact with the benefit of the doubt. A student following the POC, for example, would not speak over their fellow student or be outright dismissive of the points they’re intending to convey. This applies not only to your fellow students, but also those readings with which we’ll be engaging. The primary aim of the POC is ensure a respectful, worthwhile, and collaborative intellectual environment Thus, all students will be expected to always act in ways that further these aims.

Here are some additional course policies, the explanations for which are available on the course website and will be covered on the first day of class:

  • Participation and attendance are mandatory.
  • Late homework assignments will be penalized for each day they are late.

Feedback

You are encouraged to discuss the course materials, including homework questions, during office hours. Office hours are the place to solicit detailed feedback on the writing you have submitted. I am happy to give you advice regarding any of the course assignments, but please do not expect help with homework at the last minute. If you'd like to make an appointment, please contact me well enough in advance to ensure that I am available meet with you.

Extensions

If you need an extension on any of the assignments for this course, please request them via email at least 24 hours in advance. I’m willing to grant extensions and I will not require that you share details about why the extension is needed. (In case of emergencies, the 24-hour policy is waived.)

Emails

You should always feel free to contact me via email with any questions or comments you have about the course or its content. Please keep in mind that it might be a day before I’m able to respond. To help me get to your emails more efficiently, please include the course code (“PHIL M187”) in the subject header.

Academic Misconduct

Students are expected to know and to follow the university’s guidelines for academic honesty. Academic misconduct can occur in a variety of ways, including (but not limited to) cheating, fabrication, and plagiarism. When in doubt about whether some academic practice is acceptable, ask your TA or the instructor for assistance. Always err on the side of avoiding misconduct. Any suspected violation of university policy regarding academic conduct will be reported directly to the Office of the Dean of Students.  

 

VI. Campus Resources

Academic Accommodation

Students needing academic accommodations based on a disability should contact the Center for Accessible Education (CAE) at (310)825-1501 or in person at Murphy Hall A255. When possible, students should contact the CAE within the first two weeks of the term as reasonable notice is needed to coordinate accommodations.

Writing Help

Supplemental Reading

 

Course Summary:

Date Details Due