"Feminism and Social Justice" is an adaptation of Distinguished Professor Bettina Aptheker's long-running course at UC Santa Cruz. In the course, Professor Aptheker presents a broad definition of feminism that serves to frame three significant events in the history of feminism and social justice: the Empire Zinc strike of 1951, the 1971-1972 trial of Angela Davis, and the #metoo Movement.
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Feminism and Social Justice
University of California, Santa CruzAbout this Course
Learner Career Outcomes
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Learner Career Outcomes
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University of California, Santa Cruz
UC Santa Cruz is an outstanding public research university with a deep commitment to undergraduate education. It’s a place that connects people and programs in unexpected ways while providing unparalleled opportunities for students to learn through hands-on experience.
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
What is feminism?
Feminism is a movement, a philosophical perspective, and a driver of social change. It has various goals and constituencies, and it continues to be adapted in response to new conditions.
Salt of the Earth
In 1951, zinc miners in southwestern New Mexico went on strike in response to the Empire Zinc Company's discriminatory treatment of Mexican-American workers and their families. After the miners were prevented from protesting by a court order, their wives maintained the picket line.
Free Angela!
In 1970, FBI agents arrested the feminist scholar and activist Angela Davis for her alleged connection to the Soledad Brothers, inmates of Soledad Prison in central California who were accused of killing a guard. At the time of the arrest, President Richard Nixon referred to Davis as a "terrorist." In this module, you will hear Dr. Aptheker's personal experience of Davis' arrest and trial, and you will learn about the extraordinary movement that grew in support of Davis.
The #metoo Movement
The hashtag "metoo" appeared on social media in 2017 in response to a number of high-profile sexual assault allegations in the entertainment industry. It quickly spread to other societal domains and continues to spur discussion and action around the world. In this module, you will learn about the causes and outcomes of the #metoo movement, and its contribution to feminism and social justice. You will also have an opportunity to discuss recent changes resulting from the #metoo movement with your fellow learners.
Reviews
- 5 stars85.77%
- 4 stars12.22%
- 3 stars1.48%
- 2 stars0.26%
- 1 star0.25%
TOP REVIEWS FROM FEMINISM AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
Loved the course. Bettina has such a talent to tell stories and put so much information in our minds. It is easy to understand and very exciting. It has been a privilege taking a class with her.
Incredibly informative and eye-opening about many issues that I thought I knew a bit about but turns out I had no idea about. Particularly the last two weeks on Angela Davis and the MeToo Movement.
Great course covering 4 different parts of feminist history. Prof Aptheker is very knowledgeable and speaks from first hand experience while emphasizing the importance of intersectional feminism.
This Feminism and Social Justice Course was very inspiring. Thank you for the opportunity. Bettina - your lectures are amazing. They are well researched, insightful and a delight to be a part of.
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