WMST 3301: Feminist Theories (formerly WMST2207)
Dr. Kimberly A. Williams
Mount Royal University
Department of Humanities
Worksheet #2
DUE: Before class on September 17th.
Be sure to type up your answers and submit them via your Blackboard dropbox. Remember: when submitting Worksheets
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PART 1: IDENTIFICATIONS
For at least three of the following terms, please provide a brief definition of approximately 1-2
sentences and then discuss why the term is important within the context of our reading this week.
Make sure to specifically reference our course materials.
SUFFRAGE
COVERTURE
RELATIONAL PERSPECTIVE
SENECA FALLS CONVENTION
INDIVIDUALIST PERSPECTIVE
THE INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN
THE WOMAN QUESTION
LIBERAL FEMINISM
THE CULT OF DOMESTICITY
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN OF CANADA
PART 2: CONCEPTS
Please answer at least two of the following questions in 1-2 paragraphs each. Make sure to specifically
reference our course materials.
1. Wollstonecraft’s A Vindication of the Rights of Woman is considered the first attempt (in English,
at any rate) by any author to address the WOMAN QUESTION. What were Wollstonecraft’s
major complaints, and what did she suggest be done about them?
2. What Schneir described last week as “old feminism” is typically termed FIRST WAVE
FEMINISM. When was the FIRST WAVE of FEMINIST MOVEMENT, and what were the major
issues of concern to the women and men who were part of it?
3. What arguments did Western feminist theorists in the 18th and 19th centuries make in advocacy
of women’s legal equality and women’s suffrage?
4. What were the basic issues that concerned the National Council of Women of Canada at the turn
of the 20th century? Which groups of women were included in their study? How did the
publication come about?
5. According to Fuller, what is the status of women in the nineteenth century? Which women?
What does she propose to do about it?
6. According to Robinson, which kinds of employment were considered generally acceptable for
women in the nineteenth century? Why did women work in the factories? And what sorts of
obstacles did they face at work and in their lives generally?
7. Why does Gilman argue that women should be economically independent? What obstacles to
this does she discuss? And what solutions does she propose?