Women's Studies as a strategy for change

Underlying the current dialogue concerning alternative methods for practicing Women’s Studies lies the fundamental question of purpose: why study women, their historical contexts and their created works? The answer to this question cannot be logically deduced from any theory or method, but lies outside of the scholarly process. It is rooted in the personally defined intentions of the scholar-teacher herself. The answer which one gives to this question is decisive, for the methods of study that she selects can be judged to be appropriate only in reference to the purpose. To begin with the question of method, rather than that of purpose not only is irrational (’I don’t know why I’m doing this, but at least I’m doing it well,’ i.e., following the rules), but also contributes to what Mary Daly ( 1973 ) has termed the ‘invisible tyranny’ of method. 1

Criticism · Political science · Historical Gender and Feminism Studies · History · Law · Psychology

• The dynamics of the women's studies classroom

  Open Access•Renate Duelli Klein•Women s Studies International Forum•1987

  Add to list