A critical approach that examines the representation of gender and sexuality in literature, and seeks to challenge and subvert traditional norms and stereotypes.
Patriarchy: The social system in which men hold primary power and privilege, and dominate in roles of political leadership, moral authority, social privilege and control of property.
Gender: A social construct that describes the characteristics and expectations related to masculinity and femininity in society.
Intersectionality: The framework that examines the interlocking systems of oppression based on race, ethnicity, gender, class, sexual orientation, and other categories of identity.
Sexuality: The study of sexual preferences, identity, and behavior and how they impact gender roles and society.
Body Politics: A term used to describe the ways in which society places value on certain bodies, and regulates and controls them through societal norms and cultural ideals.
Representation: The study of how people, identities, and groups are depicted and portrayed in culture, media, and literature.
Language and Discourse: The study of how language is used to shape and perpetuate gendered power dynamics and how it can be used to disrupt them.
Feminist Activism: The study of feminist movements, past and present, and how they have impacted gender and social justice issues.
Queer Theory: The study of how heteronormative assumptions impact cultural and social institutions, and ways to challenge these norms.
Violence and Abuse: The study of gender-based violence, including domestic abuse, sexual assault, and harassment, and how to break these cycles of oppression.
Liberal Feminism: Liberal feminism focuses on gender equality within existing social, political, and economic institutions. This type of feminism is largely concerned with ending discrimination and promoting equal opportunities for all individuals, regardless of gender.
Marxist Feminism: Marxist feminism views oppression and exploitation as intertwined with economic structures and systems. This type of feminism seeks to end the exploitation of women within the capitalist system and advocates for collective ownership of the means of production.
Radical Feminism: Radical feminism sees patriarchy as the root of women's oppression, and asserts that the entire social, political, and economic system must be restructured in order to achieve gender equality. It also stresses on the eradication of sexism through empowerment of women.
Black Feminism: Black feminism highlights the intersectionality between race, gender, and other forms of oppression, and seeks to end the marginalization of Black women in society, and ends the cycles of discrimination, harassment, and violence.
Difference Feminism: Difference feminism promotes the idea that women's experiences and perspectives are inherently different from those of men, and that these differences should be recognized and celebrated in order to enhance gender equality.
Postcolonial Feminism: Postcolonial feminism examines how the legacy of colonialism continues to shape gender relations in formerly colonized countries. It focuses on ending the cultural and social imperialism that perpetuates gender inequity.
Ecofeminism: Ecofeminism highlights the connection between the exploitation of women and the destruction of the environment. It advocates for sustainable environmental practices and a shift away from the profit-oriented exploitation of natural resources.