1. Gender Differences in Literature Instruction Michelle Goodsite ENGL 7701 Topics in Literature

2. The History Three waves of Women’s movement beginning in the 1800s through the 1960s to today. Feminism became feminisms with several identity categories “Add women and stir” Resistance for traditional women’s roles Multiculturalism was the focus in 1990s

3. American Literature Anthologies 98 writers represented 65 white men 10 black men 2 male Native Americans 1 male Chicano 16 white women 4 black women no Asian Americans Most women and minority writers were in the Modern period as poets;only 5 fictional selections by women

4. Lessons in the Classroom Questioning where student’s assumptions of gender begin; culture, media, education, Reading simple texts to deconstruct gender Including more female writers in the canon Analyzing men’s writing; female characters Taking gender-based issues into real life Pairing male and female writers

5. Conclusions Most female characters are physically weak and passive. They are victims of negative experiences with men. Oppressed stereotypes exist about people of color and people from other cultures. Cultural structures teach gender.

6. Teaching Implications Reexamine the secondary canon to include more women Use simple text to begin conversations Juxtapose male and female writers More research!!

7. References Baker, A.P. (1989). A gradual approach to feminism in the American-literature classroom. English Journal, 78:6, 39-44. Retrieved June 23, 2004, from GALILEO database. Greenbaum, V. (1999). Seeing through the lenses of gender: Beyond male/ female polarization. English Journal, 88:3, 96-102. Retrieved June 23, 2004, from ProQuest database. Moore, L. (1989). One-on-one: Pairing male and female writers. English Journal, 78:6, 34-38. Retrieved June 23, 2004, from GALILEO database. Pace, B.G. (1992). The textbook canon: Genre, gender, and race in US literature anthologies. English Journal, 81:5, 33-38. Retrieved June 23, 2004, from ProQuest database. St. Pierre, E. A. (1999). A historical perspective on gender. English Journal, 88:3, 29-34. Retrieved June 23, 2004, from ProQuest database. Wallowitz, L. (2004). Reading as resistance: Gendered messages in literature and media. English Journal, 93:3, 26-31.