#shared authority

[education4socialjustice]

Toolkit Activity: Situate Yourself (soci101)

Situate Yourself

(as used in Intro to Sociology)

Chapter 8 Social Stratification

One of the main ways social stratification works, is by assigning privilege to certain groups, while restricting privilege or punishing those who do not share the ascribed or achieved characteristics of the original groups.

Recall our Intersecting axes of Privilege that we made in class today. An extended version of it can be found here:

http://books.google.com/books?id=HWd19vvIRz8C&lpg=PA31&ots=kM6aVv1TfT&dq=intersecting%20axes%20of%20privilege&pg=PA31#v=onepage&q=intersecting%20axes%20of%20privilege&f=false  

 (Link to Feminist Perspectives in Therapy:  Empowering Diverse Women

Judith Worrell and Pam Remer)

           Figure 1 Intersecting Axes of Privilege and Oppression

This assignment is designed to allow for your reflective placement in the world, prior to exploring the concepts and terms of Sociology and Social Stratification any further.

For class on Thursday, prepare an essay situating yourself on the axes of privilege/axes of oppression.  (1-2 typed pages, 12 pt font, double spaced)

In the assignment, you are to explore how your personal and social characteristics have combined in order to put you in a specific place- the Sociology classroom, and social situation.  Personal characteristics include concrete factors such as age, race, class, and gender as well as more abstract factors such as social standing, experiences, and decisions and choices you have made (or did not make) in your personal life. How do these factors contribute to who you are today? What pivotal experiences shaped your personality?

How has stratification played a role in where you are today? Thing BIG, think about culture- those you do and do not participate in. Think about socialization, what did you or did you not receive? Think about privilege. What unearned “gifts” do you have that others may not have? Are there any additional characteristics you would add to the diagram? What are they?

As we move forward in Chapter 8, we will begin to ask why stratification occurs. Which theoretical perspective do you take on Stratification? Has it been functional or conflict based?  Be prepared to discuss on Thursday and explain how privilege operates around you.

[education4socialjustice]

Toolkit Activity: Situate Yourself (wmst 101)

Situate Yourself

(as used in Intro to Women’s Studies)

Description:

This assignment is designed to allow for reflective placement of yourself in the world, prior to exploring the concepts and terms of Women’s Studies any further.

In the assignment, you are to explore how your personal and social characteristics have combined in order to put you in a specific place- the Women’s Studies classroom, and social situation.  Personal characteristics include concrete factors such as age, race, class, and gender as well as more abstract factors such as social standing, experiences, and decisions and choices you have made (or did not make) in your personal life. How do these factors contribute to who you are today? What pivotal experiences shaped your personality?

Not only should you explore your personal “situation” but also your personal philosophy. What is important to you? What do you take a stance on? What do you have a problem with? What do you advocate for? What is something you feel everyone must have? What are your guiding principles?  Questions such as these will help you formulate your essay. Feel free to add additional questions or perspectives that are applicable but not listed here.  The goal is to create a composite picture of yourself now, in order to become aware of biases, allow for openness in our learning community, and to create an understanding of social, institutional, and global forces in our lives.

Guidelines:

Format: 2 typed pages, 12 point font, double space, follow the heading guidelines given in the syllabus. Edit and proofread for clarity , correct grammar and spelling

Print out the paper to hand in in class on February 10, 2009.

Feminist Pedagogical Concepts:

Reflexivity                                                         4. “Personalized” Writing

Self Directed content                                        5. .Collaborative

Self Derived Knowledge

[education4socialjustice]

Toolkit Activity: Self Selected Assignment

Self Selected Assignment List:

Choose one.  Share Date  :  ongoing  Value : 10 points     

Self Selected Assignments can be turned in any time during the semester,the latest date is April15th.

Interview with a working mother:  Interview a working mother about the issues she faces in combining work and family. Write a 3-4 page paper describing your findings. Do not turn in a list of answers to questions; rather, write an integrated essay that incorporates your findings. We will discuss the results in class.

  Activism: Participate in an activist event and write a 3-4 page paper reporting on the experience. Provide background information on the organization sponsoring the event, the importance of the cause, and why it is meaningful to you.

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Media Analysis: Analyze representations of women from a specific television show, film, song lyrics, or advertisement. Decide if you think the representations challenge or reinforce socially constructed attitudes toward gender, race, class and/or sexuality. What do the representations say about women? Are there hidden agendas within the representations?  Include a copy of the ad or song lyrics, or a synopsis of the television show, film, or commercial. Write a 3-4 page essay, organizing the flow of your ideas logically.

  Looking Ahead: You may have a clear idea of what kind of career or job you would like when you finish your education. Take this opportunity to investigate that field to explore its gender dimensions. Is it a gender-segregated or integrated field? What roles do women and men play? Does this work affect women and men in the same way? What relevance does gender have to your choices, opportunities, and limits within this field? Do not use this paper simply for personal reflection, but study the construction of this type of work, the institutions and social processes in which it is lodged, and the relationship of these larger institutions and social forces to your own life. (3-4 pages)

    Assignment Alternatives : Students can earn credit through a group project as an alternative to the written assignments (Health Project, Policy Analysis). The projects must be centered around the topic of the paper, fulfill the requirements, and must be organized and presented with the cooperation of the entire group. The Women’s Center on campus will partner with students to provide space, resources, and planning assistance. The project must consist of a program to be held on campus during the semester. It will be evaluated by participants, and group members will peer evaluate as well. If you and or group members are interested in completing a program instead of the written papers, let the instructor know, in order to start planning.