ANTH 343 - Motherhood and Contested Reproduction

Credit(s): 3

MOTHERHOOD & CONTESTED REPROD
Component: Lecture
Reproduction is more contested than ever, and is both shaped by and shaping the diverse cultural backgrounds and beliefs of people everywhere. Reproduction is a topic and experience that cuts across multiple political and personal issues: it is at once a deeply intimate and highly public process with implications for both individuals and societies. In this course we identify, examine, and explore dominant narratives about motherhood and reproduction from cross-cultural perspectives, and the personal stakes and political scales at which different experiences of motherhood impact. We focus specifically on motherhood since it is the relationship between mother and child that is predominantly politicized in various configurations of power both historically and contemporaneously, although we do examine topics related to parenthood more broadly. Through the study of ethnographic research, we look critically and cross-culturally at topics related to: contraception, family planning, fertility, pregnancy, birth, early childhood, motherhood, parenthood, child welfare interventions, media and popular cultural representations of motherhood, and labor and work, especially as these topics intersect with concerns related to nationhood, gender, sexuality, racism, class, socio-economic status, religion, politics, ethnicity, and cultural background.
Repeatable for Credit: N Allowed Units: 3 Multiple Term Enrollment: N Grading Basis: Student Option

Crosslisted: May be crosslisted with WOMS 343.

Requirement Designations: Multicultural Course Typically Offered: Spring

General Education Objectives:
GE1A: Read Critically GE1B: Analyze Arguments and Information GE2A: Communicate Effectively in Writing GE3B: Work Individually Across a Variety of Cultures