Student and Instructor Perspectives on Reshaping a Literature by Women Course

By Dr. Hillary Fezzey (she/her)
Professor, Writing, Language, and Literature, UW-Superior

Lexie Hausman (she/her)
Student, UW-Superior

 

Abstract:

This presentation will share the results of revising the curriculum in a Literature by Women general education course from a student and instructor perspective. The presentation will display a student research project on Virginia Woolf, as well as the pedagogical strategies employed to emphasize intersectional feminism and antiracism and examples of student work, with particular emphasis on Phillis Wheatley Peters.Student research: The aspect of androgyny and separation from the patriarchy are key in understanding intersectional feminism. Woolf explains the concept of an androgynous mind and how having a balance between feminine and masculine energy is important to achieve creative brilliance. Financial freedom is another big part of Woolf’s essay. Financial freedom is the most important thing to have to be a successful female writer and be able to separate from the patriarchal standards women felt then and feel now. Woolf’s essay A Room of One’s Own is an important piece of literature for the new generation to grasp the concept of intersectionality from a female writer.