This document is the author's feminist theory midterm paper from 2010. It analyzes feminist theory through the lenses of liberalism, radicalism, and Marxism. It also demonstrates the author's intellectual growth and improvement as a writer from their earlier Women in Literature essay. Specifically, the author had issues with long paragraphs, minor grammatical errors, and needed citations in some areas. The author selected this paper to show their inquiry and ability to apply literary theories from historical and feminist perspectives. It also conveyed the idea that multiple perspectives can coexist rather than one being absolutely right.

1. Alex Boswell
12/5/2012
Category: Inquiry and Intellectual Growth
Feminist Theory Midterm Paper
The following artifact is an assignment for Professor Kelly’s Feminist Theory class. The paper is a
description of the relevancy of feminist theory, as well as a breakdown of liberalism, radicalism, and Marxism
through a feminist lens. It also shows an understanding of women’s history, how feminist theorists assessed and
affected history, and how various theories have both contributed to society and been criticized or problematic for
society. Lastly, this essay demonstrates some of my weaknesses as a writer in 2010. I have extremely long
paragraphs, minor grammatical errors, and notes from my professor indicating a need for citation in various areas
of the essay.
I have selected this artifact as a document of my inquiry and intellectual growth. This essay in comparison
to my Women in Literature essay shown in “Devotion to My Own Intellectual Growth and Providing Meaningful
Responses to Student Work” marks my ability for improvement and development as a writer. The artifact also
demonstrates inquiry and intellectual growth through my knowledge of theories and histories that can be applied
to understanding literature. I am able to apply literary theories, such as liberalism or Marxism, in multiple ways,
such as from a historical point of view or a feminist point of view. The paper itself promotes the idea that there is
not one absolute truth but instead a lineage of ideas and perspectives that can be heard, assessed, and held in
conversation with one another. The need for an authentic representation of all groups of people in any discourse
is an underlying theme throughout the paper; however, the exclusion of recognizing transgender women in the
essay is one problematic detail that is glaringly visible to me now. Lastly, this paper is exclusive towards the
acknowledgment of (certain cisgendered) women, women’s history, and women’s oppression because it is a
feminist theory paper; however, in reality, I acknowledge and continue to develop my understanding of the
histories, achievements, and oppressions experienced by all people. This paper isolates a theory and then puts it
in conversation with a few other theories.
My hope is that this paper not only displays my ability to improve as a writer, my knowledge of theory,
my intellectual growth, and my ability to form complex understandings from multiple points of view, but also my
ability as a teacher to encourage students to form their own ideas as diverse individuals and to intelligently, as
well as confidently, be in conversation with the ideas of other individuals. This process will, hopefully, contribute
to a student’s ability to validate their ideas and/or build more complex understandings, without the concept of
being absolutely right or absolutely wrong. As a teacher, I plan on providing multiple points of view in my
curriculum, and allowing students to develop their own unique perspectives with insightful evidence.
I am invested in the intellectual growth and personal growth of my students, as well as my growth as an
effective writer, scholar of literature, and teacher. By providing multiple points of view and asking questions that
encourage students to put diverse points of view in conversation with one another, I hope to aid in students'
process of discovery and growth within their education.