October 5

I. Re-watching Judith Butler Together
  • not performed BUT performative
  • not internal reality BUT reproduced phenomena
  • institutional powers and informal practices
  • the police function of gendered norms
  • cultural forms/norms ....but also freedom!

II. Whole Class Activities: Clarification Exercise
Was there a word, sentence, or paragraph that really tripped you up?  If so, let's air these together now as a way to begin our discussion of Gender Trouble.

III. Group Discussion Part I: CLARIFICATION
Together, write down at least 2-3 sentences that clarify Butler's main points.  Choose a facilitator who will write this for you and submit at the end of class. This is all about getting the theory right first!  You will have about 15 minutes for this.  Use this as the last time to clarify Butler's arguments.
Click here for previous students' understandings/statements of Butler's Gender Trouble
Please look at the central issues bullet-listed on the left
IV. Group Discussion Part II: WWJBS? (What Would Judith Butler Say?)
Let's ask WWJBS?  This line of critical theory offers us a different kind of lens into our conversations so far that push us to think about gender's performativity... including its heterosexist norms.  Here are questions inspired from your previous classes and writings:
  1. Think back to the discussions of catcalling/sexual harrassment.  WWJBS?  How is gender performed here? Why and for whom?
  2. Let's be clear here: we live in a world where it is actually DANGEROUS for gay couples to hold hands in public or for transmen and transwomen to even walk out the door.   WWJBS?  How is gender performed here? Why and for whom?
  3. What does it mean to be a "woman"?  What does it mean to be a "man"? WWJBS?*
  4. Many people believe all "women" should be "united" in their "common" cause, but WWJBS?
Be ready to talk about these questions as a whole class.  Be ready to interrogate how/why these public gender performances are also heterosexist in nature.
Action Plans from Previous Class (representing specific interventions)
We need:
1) More feminist authors and texts included in John Jay courses as well as in high school
2) College Now courses that specifically address gender studies showing students that gender studies is a serious and real area of study (i.e., they get credits)
3) All elected officials must take gender studies courses before they can take office
(Caitie, David, Karla, Rohan)

4) A college conference/symposium on gender, race & policing with required attendance
(Brittany, Diana, Mimi, Sara) 

5) Banning of religious talk in politics, especially in campaigning and rape/abortion law
(Alijah, Meg, Nagima, John M)

6) Men fined and/or fired for catcalling and sexual harassment
7) Mandated classes on sexual harassment and assault
(Abrina, Jennifer, Nancy, Nick) 

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