Toward a New (Eco)Feminist Future: Mainstreaming Nonhuman Animals in Feminist Studies

This thesis proposes a new direction for foundational feminist pedagogy, with the express purpose of mainstreaming a consideration of nonhuman animals in feminist studies curricula. Ecofeminists have effectively situated speciesism – the systematic discrimination against nonhuman animals based on a belief in human superiority over all else – as a structural oppression, one that intersects with other forms of oppression such as racism and sexism. However, this is not reflected in the introductory course which is a crucial pedagogical site. This thesis presents a vision for a new feminist future with the hope that it will expand the scope of feminist pedagogy and broaden our understanding of oppression, and lead to holistic strategies for change.