PHI 2232 - The Power of Pretty

Credits: 4
Throughout the history of western philosophy, femininity has been defined in bodily terms, and closely connected to the ideal of beauty. A woman’s worth has been tied to her physical appearance. The female body has long dominated thinking about women and thus exhibits power over the way that women see themselves; however, there are many counter-examples from the past and today of women who use their beauty and sexuality as expressions of power. This course will explore the way that women have contested or embraced concepts of feminine beauty. Guiding questions include: What does it mean to be a woman? What does it mean to have a female body? How do women ‘perform’ beauty? Is this performance a form of self-expression or is it intended for the masculine gaze?
McDaniel Plan: International; Social, Cultural, and Historical Understanding; Textual Analysis