Biopower, discourse, and gender ... oh my!

Ugh... taking a break from solving three dimensional systems of equations for a few minutes. I got back my midterm in my first year course and got an 89% on it (one mark short of an "A+", but I'm pretty freakin' happy with an "A" considering how much difficulty I had doing it... it was a pretty rough few weeks right around when it was due and I was still seriously burned out from earlier in the year). So there were two "definitions" questions that needed a paragraph each, and two short essay questions that needed to be 2 pages each. So, here again are a few short-to-read bits of feminist analysis/thought... I gotta say though that the second short-answer question on “Discourse” was the feminist studies equivalent of the famous bonus question: “Define the universe. Give three examples.” I had a really hard time distilling an answer out of such a complex and all-important concept.

In your own words, define the term “Biopower”. Discuss why biopower is important to understand when studying gender, using examples from at least two readings in a paragraph-length answer.

( The paragraph answer is here... )

In your own words, define the term “Discourse”. Discuss why discourse is important to understand when studying gender, using examples from at least two readings in a paragraph-length answer.

( The paragraph answer is here... )

Using examples from course readings, discuss the relationship between capitalism and militarism. What ideas about gender and identity does this relationship promote? Answer in a 2-page, typed, double-spaced essay. Cite all sources used.

( The short essay answer is here... )

Using examples from Bonita Lawrence and Sherene Razack, discuss the relationship between political exclusion, colonialism, and gender. Answer in a 2-page, typed, double-spaced essay. Cite sources used.

( The short essay answer is here... )

( And the citations are here... )