“Teaching the Political in a Polarized World” (Deadline: March 1, 2013)

We teach feminist theory in a time of attacks on women’s rights; we teach queer theory and sexuality studies at a time of marriage amendment ballots; and we teach cultural sensitivity and specificity at a time of increased xenophobia. We seek papers with stories, strategies, and theories about how to navigate feminist teaching in this politically charged era. How does the current political climate affect how and what we teach? How does it shape the way we as feminists interact with our administrations? How does it affect our syllabi? How much room do our institutions give us for teaching the political? If teaching is in itself a political act, what responsibility do we have to our students to give them what we believe are correct or appropriate political perspectives?

This panel invites papers that examine the chances and challenges of teaching feminist politics or of employing feminist pedagogy in the contemporary polarized context. Exemplary syllabi are welcome.

Please send an abstract of 150-200 words and a short bio to BOTH organizers by March 1, 2013: Britt Abel (abel@macalester.edu) and Yvonne Franke (yvf1@pitt.edu).