ivaluemyprivacy{at}mailblocks.com wrote:
> (From the Irish Times: Wednesday 30th March 2005)
>
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> ----------------------------------------
> This didn't seem to come through earlier
>
> WOMEN'S STUDIES AT UCD
>
> Madam, - There are serious misconceptions in Kevin Myers's
> ill-intentioned and ill-informed attack on Women's Studies at UCD (An
> Irishman' Diary, March 22nd).
>
> Firstly, far from stirring in his grave, that great educational
> innovator Newman would have welcomed the emergence of
> interdisciplinarity as a significant phenomenon of the past two
decades
> in the academic world. Not only has it proved remarkably fruitful in
> promoting dialogue between disciplines, it has also created
productive
> new approaches and opened up new areas of knowledge and
understanding.
>
> It is no coincidence, therefore, that interdisciplinarity has been
> embraced internationally in the sciences and in the humanities, and
is
> at the forefront of innovative research methodologies and educational
> policy worldwide.
>
> It is unhelpful and inept of Kevin Myers to conflate
> interdisciplinarity and the restructuring of UCD. These are quite
> separate matters.
>
> Secondly, Women's Studies is as academically rigorous as any other
> discipline. It is regrettable that your columnist is unaware that it
is
> possible to be academically rigorous and politically engaged without
> being biased or doctrinaire. The Women's Education, Research and
> Resource Centre at UCD has a well-founded international reputation
for
> excellence in its field.
>
> Established by UCD in 1990, the centre conducts commissioned research
> on a wide range of issues, including gender and public policy, and
also
> offers a full range of postgraduate and undergraduate courses, all of
> which are open to both women and men. The programme in Lesbian
Studies
> and Queer Culture to which Kevin Myers refers is part of WERRC's
> extensive national programme of community outreach education, and was
> funded by the Education Equality Initiative of the Department of
> Education and Science. An independent and highly positive evaluation
of
> this new programme was published in 2003. I would be pleased to
supply
> your columnist with a copy.
>
> Finally, I should point out that WERRC is not "unique", as Kevin
Myers
> claims. Women's studies and feminist scholarship are flourishing not
> only in several other Irish universities, but also worldwide. As a
> feminist scholar and teacher, I am proud to work in an area which
aims
> to contribute to social change for women and in gender relations
> through education and research.
>
> For several years now, two of your columnists have been intent on
> pursuing a vendetta against feminists. They have viciously targeted
> those who work hard and effectively in many practical ways, through
> education and research, service provision, community activism and
> legislative change to create a more just and egalitarian society.
>
> It is easy to attack ideals and idealists, but it is shabby
journalism
> and certainly unworthy of a leading national newspaper. Cheap jibes
are
> no substitute for intelligent critique and informed debate. - Yours,
> etc.,
>
> , Director, Women's Education, Research and Resource Centre,
UCD,
> Dublin 4.


Two replies today:
WOMEN'S STUDIES AT UCD

Madam, - I will ignore the many inaccuracies in Kevin Myers's
Irishman's Diary of March 22nd and instead, using one of his own
techniques, seize on his use of one word - "transformative". I am
proud, indeed privileged, to be part of the transformative agenda of
WERRC, being a tutor on the outreach programme.

We offer the opportunity to some of the most marginalised women in
Ireland, both rural and urban, to undertake NUI-validated undergraduate
certificate and diploma courses. Many of these women have been deprived
of a full secondary education, not to mind the opportunity to pursue a
third level education.

I have lost count of the times women have said to me, "This course has
changed my life". We support the women from their tentative efforts to
express themselves in their first, 500-word assignment and delight in
their huge sense of achievement when they produce a 3,000-5,000 word
project at the end of their particular course. Many of them uncover
talents and creative abilities they never suspected they possessed.

Some continue their education to BA or even MA level in our department,
other departments of UCD, or other universities.

>From my own perspective, these past four years in WERRC have been the
most rewarding in my life. Through these women, who often have to
struggle through tremendous obstacles to achieve their goal, I am
endlessly reminded of my own excitement, sense of achievement and
gratitude at having the opportunity as a mature student to learn new
skills, to broaden my horizons and to better understand the structures
shaping our lives.

There is so much ability, talent and creativity among the ordinary
women in Ireland. Why should they be denied an opportunity to engage in
education at whatever stage of their lives. Why should Mr Myers, from
his lofty eyrie, see this as a waste of time and taxpayers' money?

Finally, surely education should always be "transformative"; what is
the point otherwise? - Yours, etc.,

MARY C. FAKHER-ELDIN, Women's Education, Research and Resource Centre,
UCD, Dublin 4.

.... ...

Madam, - Ailbhe Smyth (March 30th) seems to feel the existence of the
WERRC in UCD is justified because feminists are working "to create a
more just and egalitarian society". Many masculists believe they're
doing the same thing; the difference is that the research arm of their
movement isn't State-subsidised.

Justice? What justice? - Yours, etc.,





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