Is Academic Feminism Dead? : : Theory in Practice / / ed. by The Social Justice Group.

• Superior document: Title is part of eBook package: De Gruyter New York University Press Backlist eBook-Package 2000-2013
• HerausgeberIn: Group, The Social Justice,
• Place / Publishing House: New York, NY : : New York University Press, , [2000]; ©2000
• Year of Publication: 2000
• Language: English
• Physical Description: 1 online resource

What role does theory play in academia today? How can feminist theory be made more relevant to the very real struggles undertaken by women of all professions, races, and sexual orientation? How can it be directed into more effective social activism, and how is theory itself a form of practice? Feminist theory and political activism need not-indeed cannot-be distinct and alienated from one another. To reconcile the gulf between word and deed, scholar-activists from a broad range of disciplines have come together here to explore the ways in which practice and theory intersect and interact. The authors argue against overly abstract and esoteric theorizing that fails its own tests of responsible political practice and suggest alternative methods by which to understand feminist issues and attain feminist goals. They also examine the current state of affairs in the academy, exposing the ways in which universities systematically reinforce social hierarchies and offering important and intelligent suggestions for curricular and structural changes. Is Academic Feminism Dead? marks a significant step forward in relating academic and social movement feminism. It recognizes and examines the diverse realities experienced by women, as well as the changing political, cultural, and economic realities shaping contemporary feminism.

Table of Contents

Frontmatter -- Contents -- Acknowledgments -- 1 Women’s Political Participation and the Influence of Contagion -- 2 Understanding Women’s Legislative Representation -- 3 Women and the Executive -- 4 Gender and Cross-National Courts -- 5 Contagion and the Adoption of Voluntary Party Quotas -- 6 Contagion and the Adoption of National Quotas -- 7 Conclusion: Why Contagion Matters -- Appendix 1 Cases in Legislative Analysis -- Appendix 2 Cases in Executive Analysis -- Appendix 3 Female Executives by Country -- Appendix 4 Cases in Courts Analysis -- Appendix 5 Parties with Quotas -- Appendix 6 Cases in Voluntary Party Quota Analysis -- Appendix 7 National Quotas -- Appendix 8 Cases in National Quota Analysis -- Notes -- Bibliography -- Index -- About the Authors