WGST 1F90 Lecture 2: Lec 2

• School: Brock University
• Department: Women's and Gender Studies
• Course: WGST 1F90
• Professor: Leslie Nichols

Document Summary

Theory is a blueprint: a way to explain how and why the world. Discourse: historically variable ways of specifying knowledge that links concepts into ideas we write speak, think and act within discourse. Theoretical frameworks tend to focus on larger systems of power and privilege. Example: marxist theory examines capitalism -- the economic mode of production in the west and hierarchy, oppression and privilege. Some theories focus on the individual generalized to larger populations (example: freudian theory) Solutions may be far reaching politically/ economically focused or immediately and instantly accessible. Feminist theory has explicit focus on praxis; putting theory into practice, making change, and improving lives of girls and women. Most travel between theories and draw upon various conceptual tools. Feminist theory is about doing- a critical and political practice (praxis) Must analyze systemic oppression, yet be attentive to individual specificities.