A comprehensive overview of feminist scholarship edited by an internationally recognized and leading figure in the field
Companion to Feminist Studies provides a broad overview of the rich history and the multitude of approaches, theories, concepts, and debates central to this dynamic interdisciplinary field. Comprehensive yet accessible, this edited volume offers expert insights from contributors of diverse academic, national, and activist backgrounds - discussing contemporary research and themes while offering international, postcolonial, and intersectional perspectives on social, political, cultural, and economic institutions, social media, social justice movements, everyday discourse, and more.
Organized around three different dimensions of Feminist Studies, the Companion begins by exploring ten theoretical frameworks, including feminist epistemologies examining Marxist and Socialist Feminism, the activism of radical feminists, the contributions of Black feminist thought, and interrelated approaches to the fluidity of gender and sexuality. The second section focuses on methodologies and analytical frameworks developed by feminist scholars, including empiricists, economists, ethnographers, cultural analysts, and historiographers. The volume concludes with detailed discussion of the many ways in which pedagogy, political ecology, social justice, globalization, and other areas within Feminist Studies are shaped by feminism in practice. A major contribution to scholarship on both the theoretical foundations and contemporary debates in the field, this volume:
- Provides an international and interdisciplinary range of the essays of high relevance to scholars, students, and practitioners alike
- Examines various historical and modern approaches to the analysis of gender and sexual differences
- Addresses timely issues such as the difference between radical and cultural feminism, the lack of women working as scientists in academia and other research positions, and how activism continues to reformulate feminist approaches
- Draws insight from the positionality of postcolonial, comparative and transnational feminists
- Explores how gender, class, and race intersect to shape women’s experiences and inform their perspectives
Companion to Feminist Studies is an essential resource for students and faculty in Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Feminist Studies programs, and related disciplines including anthropology, psychology, history, political science, and sociology, and for researchers, scholars, practitioners, policymakers, activists, and advocates working on issues related to gender, sexuality, and social justice.
Table of Contents
About the Editors vii
Notes on Contributors ix
Acknowledgments xvii
Part I Introduction 1
1 Feminist Studies as a Site of Critical Knowledge Production and Praxis 3
Nancy A. Naples
Part II Feminist Epistemology and Its Discontents 13
2 Biological Determinism and Essentialism 15
Sheila Greene
3 Marxist and Socialist Feminisms 35
Elisabeth Armstrong
4 Radical and Cultural Feminisms 53
Lauren Rosewarne
5 Materialist Feminisms 73
Bronwyn Winter
6 Black Feminism and Womanism 91
Rose M. Brewer
7 Intersectionality as Critical Inquiry 105
Patricia Hill Collins
8 Queer, Trans, and Transfeminist Theories 129
Ute Bettray
9 Postcolonial Feminism 155
Umme Al‐wazedi
10 Feminisms in Comparative Perspective 175
Anne Sisson Runyan, Rina Verma Williams, Anwar Mhajne and Crystal Whetstone
11 Transnational Feminisms 193
Gul Aldikacti Marshall
Part III Methodological Diversity 211
12 Feminist Methodologies 213
Cynthia Deitch
13 Feminist Empiricism 231
Gina Marie Longo
14 Feminist Science Studies 247
Samantha M. Archer and A.E. Kohler
15 Feminist Economics 265
Valeria Esquivel
16 Feminist Ethnography 281
Dana‐Ain Davis and Christa Craven
17 Feminist Historiography 301
Ariella Rotramel
18 Feminism, Gender, and, Popular Culture 321
Diane Grossman
Part IV Feminist Praxis 339
19 Feminist Pedagogy 341
Danielle M. Currier
20 Feminist Praxis and Globalization 357
Manisha Desai and Koyel Khan
21 Feminism and Somatic Praxis 373
Gill Wright Miller
22 Feminist Health Movements 393
Meredeth Turshen and Marci Berger
23 Feminist Praxis and Gender Violence 411
Claire M. Renzetti and Margaret Campe
24 Feminist Political Ecologies in Latin American Context 427
Astrid Ulloa
25 Feminism and Social Justice Movements 447
Molli Spalter
Index 469