Each student will be asked to analyze a contemporary paradigm of his or her choice.
This choice will be restricted to those paradigms outlined in the Ritzer text and Kivisto
reader. These works should also serve as the primary source of material for the exercise.
The paper will be due on the last day of class. Grading will be based on clarity,
thoroughness, and on how well you demonstrate your knowledge of the material covered
in the course. Assignment details will be addressed periodically throughout the course of
the semester.
Part I: Summary of Ritzer Chapter
Part II: Summerize 2 readings from Kivisto and keep them in separate paragraphs
Part III: Connecting theory to real-life events and situations in society
(#MeToo Movement: Originating in 2006 but gaining widespread attention in 2017, the #MeToo movement spread globally, with women sharing their experiences of sexual harassment and assault. This movement highlighted power dynamics, systemic sexism, and the need for cultural change to address gender-based violence.
Women’s March: Since its inception in 2017, the Women’s March has become an annual event in many cities worldwide. It serves as a platform for advocating women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, reproductive rights, and racial equality, reflecting the intersectional nature of contemporary feminist activism.
Reproductive Rights Protests: Protests and activism surrounding reproductive rights continue to be prevalent, particularly in response to restrictive legislation. Events such as the 2019 abortion rights protests in the United States and the “Ni Una Menos” movement in Latin America highlight the ongoing struggle for bodily autonomy and access to reproductive healthcare.)
Part IV: Critical analysis of the paradigm (key players in the paradigm and their background, macro or micro-sociology, priest or profit, key basic concepts they use, Normative or interpretive diagram, shortcomings of this paradigm, etc)
Required text (PDF version is available in files that I’ve included):
Ritzer: Contemporary Feminist Theory (pg. 454)
Kivisto: “Doing Gender” C. West and D. Zimmerman (pg. 241) and “Toward an Afrocentric Feminist Epistemology” P. Collins (pg. 260).
Notes I took on the Ritzer chapter and Kivisto chapters are also included to make things easier for you.
