Module: Topics in Feminist Philosophy

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Topics in Feminist Philosophy
Module Code	PHE1026 (ITS: TP327)
Faculty	Theology, Philosophy & Music	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

This module introduces students to some of the main issues and questions in feminist philosophy; it also invites students to consider how these issues and questions can inform other aspects of philosophical investigation. Among other topics, the module addresses: debates regarding sex and gender; questions regarding ‘essentialism’ and whether subjectivity is always gendered; questions regarding gendered conceptions of reason, embodiment and the emotions; and feminist reconfigurations of the philosophical canon.

Learning Outcomes

1. comprehend central issues and themes in feminist philosophy
2. engage in close analysis and interpretation of important philosophical texts
3. understand the wider social, political and cultural significance of themes and issues in feminist philosophy
4. construct their own arguments in discussions, and present arguments and ideas in written form
5. synthesize a relevant range of concepts and interpretations to form a coherent overview of the wider field

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	No Description
Independent Study	101	No Description
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	20877	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Ian Leask	Module Teacher	Noirin Mac Namara

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Essay	n/a	100%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Introduction
Defining feminist philosophy

Sex and Gender
Issues and debates on culture, biology, and their interaction

Selfhood and Gender
Issues and debates on culture, biology, and their interaction

Essentialism (?)
What defines 'woman'?

Feminist Perspectives
Reason, Knowledge, Emotions

Re-thinking the Canon
Feminist History of Philosophy

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Lilli Alanen and Charlotte Witt, (eds.): 2004, Feminist Reflections on the History of Philosophy, Kluwer,
Amy Allen: 1999, The Power of Feminist Theory: Domination, Resistance, Solidarity, Westview,
Hannah Arendt: 1958, The Human Condition, Chicago,
Susan Bordo: 1993, Unbearable Weight. Feminism, Western Culture, and the Body, Uni California Press,
Tina Chanter: 2006, Gender: Key Concepts in Philosophy, Continuum,
Alison Stone: 2007, An Introduction to Feminist Philosophy, Polity,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None