What is Feminism?

Dr. Chris Beasley is Professor in Politics and Co-Director of the Fay Gale Centre for Research on Gender at the University of Adelaide. Dr Beasley primarily teaches in three areas of Political Studies: social and political theory, gender and sexuality studies, and cultural politics. She has been previously been located in Sociology, Women′s Studies, Aboriginal Studies and Education. Her books include Heterosexuality in Theory and Practice (with Heather Brook and Mary Holmes, Routledge, 2012), Engaging with Carol Bacchi (edited with Angelique Bletsas, University of Adelaide Press, 2012), Gender & Sexuality: Critical Theories, Critical Thinkers (SAGE, 2005), What is Feminism? (Sage, 1999) and Sexual Economyths (Allen & Unwin, 1994). She is currently writing a book on contemporary popular film titled The Cultural Politics of Popular Film: Power, Culture and Society (with Heather Brook, Manchester UP) and preparing another book, Internet Dating (with Mary Holmes, Routledge). Dr Beasley is also engaged in several research projects, including critical thinking in the first year university experience, embodied ethics and revaluing care, innovations in heterosexuality and hetero-masculinity.

• IntroductionPART ONE: DEPARTING FROM TRADITIONAL FAREFeminisim′s Critique of Traditional Social and Political ThoughtFeminism′s Difference from Traditional Social and Political ThoughtPART TWO: ACTIVE INGREDIENTSDebates ′Within′ Feminism about FeminismOverviews of Feminist ThoughtPART THREE: WHAT′S ON THE MENU?Starters on the Feminist MenuLiberal, Radical and Marxist/Socialist Feminisms′Other′ PossibilitiesFeminism and the Influence of PsychoanalysisMore on the MenuPostmodernist/Poststructuralist InfluencesReassessments and PotentialitiesFeminists Concerned with Race/EthnicityConclusion

`Over the last three decades feminist theories and methodologies have become an increasingly complex as well as somewhat fraught terrain where ideas and egos alternately clash productively and destructively. This is an up-to-date and intelligent introduction to a field which remains a vital component of contemporary sociopolitical issues and debates′ - Sneja Gunew, Professor of English and Women’s Studies, University of British Columbia