Feminist Theory in Composition Studies - Pedagogy

Pedagogy

Elizabeth Flynn writes that feminist theory “emphasize that males and females differ in their developmental processes and in their interactions with others”. Thus, a feminist instructor will take into account the implicit differences between male and female writers and teach appropriately, without favoring or focusing on androcentric or gynocentric studies. Feminist pedagogy involves reading texts written by women, and taking care to understand those texts are not simply appropriations of texts written by men, without any sort of critique of androcentrism.

Focus is also placed upon the reading and reviewing of student-created texts. Feminist instructors try to create a supportive classroom environment and validate student’s experiences. Susan Jarratt mentions a feminist pedagogy that advocates women writing about “personal experiences after reading women’s autobiography, history, and fiction”.