Not Just Another Class

Not Just Another Class by Mary Ann Murray (and 34 students) In 1984, 1 attended a conference where almost every speaker referred with reverenceor derision toa book, In A Different Voice, the work of Harvard developmental psychologist Carol Gilligan. After returning home, I read the book. To say I was deeply moved and excited by its content is the classic understatement. I cried when I recognized dilemmas faced by myself and other women who are important to me—my daughters, my mother, my sisters, my friends. I became excited because I could see that to name a thing isto beginto gain control over itand thus changeit. Myexcitementhadto be shared. There had to be a forum to discuss the ideas that exploded in my mind. I had to teach a class! At the University of Kentucky, some classes may be taught on an experimental basis for a limited number of times— usually three—if the course is approved by the associate dean designated to review such proposals. I came up with the following proposal to be submitted to the dean. AS 300 Appalachian Women in Literature: Responsiblity and Caring Carol Gilligan has written a perceptive and influential book called In A Different Voice. The main point of the book is to advance the idea that over the years women have appeared abnormal in their moral and ethical growth and change because existing development models have been based almost exclusively on the study of males. Gilligan suggests that women are different in their development, not better or worse, and that models involving both men and women can increase ourknowledge and enrich our understanding of both. 62 For various complicated reasons, explained clearly in Gilligan's book, men tend to develop attitudes of justice and objectivity whereas women develop attitudes of responsibility and caring. Members of each group make moral and ethical decisions based on these attitudes. In addition to the insights into women 's development, Gilligan's ideas provide an intriguing point of view from which to do critical analysis of fictional women characters. Since I have a specialized interest in Appalachian literature and since Appalachian writers have created many women characters worthy of study, in the course I am proposing, I would focus on such works as James Still's River ofEarth, Harriette Arnow's The Dollmaker, Lee Smith's Black Mountain Breakdown, and perhaps a collection of short stories by Bobby Ann Mason entided Shiloh. I would like each student to read an additional work selected from a list provided by me. All of the required reading books, including Gilligan's, are readily available in paperback edition. Teaching methods would include lectures , group work, discussions, written and oral reports, freeassociation writing, and a final exam. My proposal was accepted and the class began in due time. The most special element in each semester's class was the group of people who elected to take the course. Everyone brought to the experience a high level of commitment which was shown by almost perfect attendance, as well as a high level of preparation which was reflected in intelligent participation in class discussion. One student wrote: If Carol Gilligan's In A Different Voice had been taught only from the discipline of psychology, a great deal of what Gilligan had to say and how it touched the lives of the people would have been lost. However, in the interdisciplinary course, "Appalachian Women in Literature: Responsiblility and Caring," not only were the students introduced to excellent literature and authors , we also were given insights into women's issues. A psychological theory was applied to each piece ofliterature , which offered insights that otherwise probably would not have been seen; and many Appalachian traditions were understood by the combining of these ideas. Another student had this to say: The offering of interdisciplainry courses is a concept that is long overdue for all components of life are integrated and should be taught as such. Student, Fall 1986 Another special element was the focus on work by Appalachian writers such as James Still, Wilma Dykeman, Harriette Arnow, Lee Smith, and Edith Summers Kelly. Students could identify with the struggles, defeats, and victories of the women characters created by...