Feminism and Gender Studies Midterm Review

These flashcards cover key concepts, definitions, and contexts related to feminism and gender studies based on the lecture notes.

First Wave Feminism

Took place in the 19th to early 20th century, focusing on women's suffrage and legal rights.

Second Wave Feminism

Occurred from the 1960s to the 1980s, centered on workplace rights, reproductive freedom, and equality.

Third Wave Feminism

Spanning the 1980s to 2000s, it emphasized intersectionality and gender performance, influenced by theorists like bell hooks and Judith Butler.

Fourth Wave Feminism

Emerging in the 2010s to present, this wave is characterized by digital activism such as the #MeToo movement.

Fifth Wave Feminism

Focuses on trans inclusion and the intersection of science with gender and sexuality.

Feminism

The belief in equality between men and women; advocates for equal access to rights and opportunities.

The Feminine Mystique

Betty Friedan’s concept describing women's dissatisfaction with domestic roles in the 1950s.

Intersectionality

A concept introduced by Kimberlé Crenshaw that examines how various social identities overlap and affect experiences of oppression.

Gender Performativity

Judith Butler's theory that gender is an enacted social performance rather than an innate quality.

'Paris is Burning'

A documentary that explores race, class, and gender performance in drag culture, emphasizing the performative nature of gender.

'Her Story'

A documentary highlighting trans women's experiences with identity and authenticity in their relationships.

Constructed vs. Natural Gender

The distinction between gender as a socially constructed identity versus a biologically determined trait.

Major Themes in 'The Toughest Indian in the World'

Reclaiming Native identity and masculinity while addressing disconnection and colonial influences.

Major Themes in 'Girl' by Kincaid

Explores women's socialization into restrictive gender roles.

Draw connections between the readings/texts we have read or viewed and expressions of gender and sexuality, particularly in terms of how the socio-historical contexts shape the way gender/sex is understood.

Texts and films show how gender and sexuality are influenced by social and historical contexts. For example, Butler’s theory of performativity connects to 'Paris is Burning,' where characters express gender through performance, and to Native stories that show gender fluidity before colonization.