Overview
This course looks at motherhood and mothering within the context of Western society. As you study the materials in this course, you will be encouraged to distinguish between mothering as a construct that informs personal identity and motherhood as a role determined and shaped by gendered, social, economic, and cultural structures. You will have the opportunity to explore how changes in expectations have affected mothers’ roles and mothering practices. You will look at the roles that theory and popular culture have played in shaping contemporary mothering practice; issues affecting women’s choices to combine professional careers with mothering; public policy that works to either constrain or reinforce the practice of mothering; the impact of poverty and mental well-being on motherhood; and how others outside of the boundaries defining the “good mother” experience motherhood. All the topics discussed in this course offer insights encouraging a critical awareness of factors affecting the lives of contemporary women who are also mothers.
Evaluation
To receive credit for WGST 423, you must complete all five assessment activities and achieve a minimum grade of 50 percent on the final exam as well as an overall grade of D (50 percent) or better for the entire course.
| Activity | Weight | Complete by |
| Assessment Activity 1: Reflection | 10% of final grade | After Unit 1 |
| Assessment Activity 2: Compare and Contrast | 15% of final grade | After Unit 2 |
| Assessment Activity 3: Midterm Take-Home Review | 20% of final grade | After Unit 4 |
| Assessment Activity 4: Film Review and Critique | 25% of final grade | After Unit 8 |
| Assessment Activity 5: Final Invigilated Exam | 30% of final grade | After Unit 8 |
| Total | 100% | |
The final examination for this course must be requested in advance and written under the supervision of an AU-approved exam invigilator. Invigilators include either ProctorU or an approved in-person invigilation centre that can accommodate online exams. Students are responsible for payment of any invigilation fees. Information on exam request deadlines, invigilators, and other exam-related questions, can be found at the Exams and grades section of the Calendar.
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.
Materials
Digital course materials
Links to the following course materials will be made available in the course:
Ross, L. R. (2016). Interrogating Motherhood. Edmonton, AB: AU Press.
Physical course materials
The following course materials are included in a course package that will be shipped to your home prior to your course’s start date:
Kinser, A. (2010). Motherhood and feminism. Berkeley, CA: Seal Press.
Other Resources
All other materials are available online.
Challenge for credit
Overview
The challenge for credit process allows you to demonstrate that you have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university-level course.
Full information about challenge for credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Evaluation
To receive credit for the WGST 423 challenge registration, you must achieve a grade of at least D (50 percent) or greater on the research essay to be eligible to write the challenge examination. A cumulative average of 50 percent on both activities is required. Credit is awarded on a pass/fail basis only.
Challenge for credit course registration form