Learning Analysis

Assignment Four Learning Analysis

Is for Art and Activism
What counts as art? A question that was presented on the very first day of the class that took me by surprise! As a class focusing on the emphasis of women and the role they play in the art world, interlocking their characteristics together proved to be a challenge for many students. While the class was moving through the course of the semester the art world became more apparent not only in the influence women have as artists, but also the message behind their works. People such as Judy Baca were presented and changed the outlook of many students as they saw the impact, which women are making through art and also the community activism they are partaking in. While many feel that activism is simply going out into the community and starting a rally, Professor King immediate changes that conclusion by giving examples of ways activism can be carried out either in an entire community or here on campus. Tying feminism, art, and activism together has proved to be the major backbone of the class on womens studies allowing the other aspects to branch off yet all coming back to the same central idea!
Through my participation in this class I have been able to clearly define what I see counts as art, as before, I thought that it had to be a textile object one could touch such as a painting or sculpture. After visiting the museums and expanding on my assumptions I now view art as any form of expression whether it be a painting, a poem, or even dancing. As the course has continued and forms have been shared me eyes have been opened up and perception changed for the better. I cannot believe the world of art I had not explored or exposed myself to as a result of my narrow focus. Activism has also affected me throughout the semester as I have noticed myself actively becoming involved with different forms of activism both here on campus and back home. The sense of reward that I receive knowing that I am doing all I can to make a difference in the future improves my sense of self-pride.
Is for Butler (Kindred)
"Dana, a modern black woman, is celebrating her twenty-sixth birthday with her new husband when she is snatched abruptly from her home in California and transported to the antebellum South. Rufus, the white son of a plantation owner, is drowning, and Dana has been summoned to save him. Dana is drawn back again and again for Rufus, yet each time the stay grows longer and more dangerous until it is uncertain whether or not Dana's life will end, long before it has even begun. "In Kindred Octavia Butler creates a road for the impossible, and a balm for the unbearable. It is everything the literature of science fiction can be."--Walter Mosley"
Spring break is for relaxation and hanging out with friends who are also home, so when I was made aware of the fact that we would have to be reading a novel I was angered and determined to not complete the assignment. After much convincing and telling myself that it was not the worst thing that could of happened, the psych exam on the first day after break was more torture, I turned to page one and began reading. The title does not seem that interesting and, never being a fan of science fiction, I did not give the book a chance to prove to me what it had to offer, though boy was I wrong! After completing chapter one my attention was captured and the book was hard to put down as my family can attest to. Reading each and every night before bed I came to see the struggles in which races, which are unmarked, face and the effect that it has on people. Dana is unmarked since she is an African American, though it doesn’t seem a big deal as you are reading this, the book travels back to the time of slavery. Being transported to a white plantation owned by the Wyelin’s, Dana confronts all of the struggles and obstacles her ancestors faced while helping Rufus. Until this point I had never realized the way society treats individuals depending on intersectionality. Wearing blinders, I had come to think all citizens were treated fairly and equally, though I was wrong. The society we live in is about power and those having the most are the influential people within the community making decisions. This idea is reinforced through Kindred as the Wyelin’s hold power and are able to make influential decisions as to the fate of many slaves. The power becomes challenged when Kevin arrives at the plantation with Dana during the third trip she makes. Society is always challenging power as this class on womens studies confirmed, through people serving as activists and social norms/expectations changing continuously. Feminism has made great strides but as is evident in a lot of the other material which was assigned as reading, power is something that women will not trust to anyone but feel should be equally divided between genders, ethnicities, and races. As the story continued oppression also became an important aspect, as not only is Dana oppressed as a direct correlation of her race, but also by the fact that she is a woman. I have learned through this class and the roadmap it has chosen to follow that many factors on intersectionality determine the amount of oppression we face and why. As Kindred was a piece of supplemental material for assignment 3 it only seems fitting that all of these terms not only were confronted in the book, but also in papers which partners wrote locating themselves within the center of society.
Is for Culture
Women, art, and culture is not a class that looks at the cultures of the world we live in throughout different societies, but also heavily looks at the equality within various cultures especially at the ways which it influences personality and intersectionality. From books read in class such as Kindred to the discussion of artwork in Chicana Art culture influences everyday decisions. This class is creatively laid out, but more importantly the culture of art and writing through the use of songs and vides from artists, such as the Gorilla Girls, upon entrance to class, give students an insight about the way in which culture becomes intertwined with our daily activities. As the class continues throughout the semester culture becomes more apparent transitioning from the outside world to the individual student and the impacts it has on their lives.
Culture has always seemed to be an important issue though rarely did I recognize it as anything, other then the traditions and beliefs of a certain location or group in society. When registering for this class, I was unsure how art and culture could relate to each other, yet tie in as well the issue of woman and their changing role in the world. However, I have been excited to learn about the way culture intermingles with other dimension of life such as race, gender, age, and ethnicity. Culture was apparent when visiting the museums in D.C. such as the National Museum of Women and the Arts; as well as, the Native American Museum. I was impressed at the influence culture has on daily life in all aspects ranging from clothes to weapons and even the food we consume.
Is for Discussion
A place where ideas can be shared and topics discussed in depth as they relate to not only the course, but also society in general. Discussion groups are a place for students to connect to one another and become involved at a deeper level with the class material. Not seeming as intimidating as the big lecture, many are more apt to speak out and voice opinions. Through the facilitation of teacher’s assistant students were able to talk to those whom have experienced feminism and have a passion for sharing this interest. Many of the teacher’s assistants going above and beyond to help students was influential as they often they shared activities going on around campus and guided students through the different projects, which were to be completed. Creating an intimate feeling and treating each and every student as if they are special, discussion provided a place for students to open up and become themselves.
As a student who hates talking in big lecture halls I found the discussions to be very helpful. Many of the classes we had consisted of lengthy debates that were invigorating and often continued on our section’s blog. Getting the chance to connect with other students and work collaboratively on group projects such as assignment 2 and 3 enhanced the class and what I was able to receive from it. Teamwork was instilled behind the scenes of the class and became apparent in the discussion. Teaching skills to students that will be of utmost important when out advocating and trying to make a difference I have gained far more then I ever imagined from my participation in discussion and then activities.
Is for Equality
As defined in the dictionary, equality is referred to as “likeness or sameness in quality, power, status, or degree.” (Dictionary.com) This class is centered on the issue of equality between women and men, instead of what many students advocate, which is women to become the superior gender. Equality was stressed throughout the class, as issues including men were not completely exiled from the course material, though the class focused on woman most of the time and differences they can make to gain power within the community. A disclaimer was made the first week of class that serves as a mile marker on the pathway of women, art, and culture; feminists are not male haters nor do they want to overpower this gender, but instead work hand in hand with each other to enrich society and the world we live in for all! Also included in this category is social justice and the broad range of concepts it encounters. Both of these concepts are constantly changing as they are directly impacted by society and the norms that are set by citizens.
Equality in my mind is a very powerful noun that no matter the time will be extremely hard to accomplish given the different marked and unmarked categories in society and biased opinions we all face. Having little knowledge about women and the problems faced when signing up for the class, I was unsure of the world and the inequality that existed. Being a prominent issue within the study of women and making a change I began to understand ways which to civilly encourage equality throughout the entirety of this class. Given the information that I have gained as a result of my participation, I feel adequately prepared to serve as an advocate for the equality of genders.
Is for Feminism
Feminism can be defined as “creating an environment where both males and females represent society in an equal capacity. Neither gender is seen as superior but work collaboratively together towards a common goal. Rights guaranteed to the citizens of America need to be extended to females in a sense that the world they live in should be positive and provide a sense of comfort. Whether it be political rights, abortion, or the pay of a job women should be able to communicate their feelings to the general public and make a difference within communities. While feminism mentions equality it does not mean anti male.” This definition is the one which discussion section 3 used for the base of assignment two. The provided definition encompasses the major areas where feminism is extremely prominent and controversial in today’s society.
Feminism, a word I had never given much thought to about forming my own perceptions. Thinking feminists were women who wanted superiority of females over males, I came to judge those standing up for their own rights as man haters. Honestly I thought that there was nothing this class or the teachers could say to change my opinion; however, I was wrong. After finding out the true definition to feminism and having the opportunity to create one with my discussion group in assignment two I came to the realization I had been wrong the entire time. After my biases were changed I came to see eye to eye with feminists and the messages they were spreading community to community. I have seen myself began to agree with their opinions and ideas, trying to change the outlook of society. It was the effect that assignment two had on my experiences in the class that allowed me to change my perceptions and take a new stance. I feel the project was the most influential in the class and the one which allowed me to learn the most as not only was I learning about feminism, but also teamwork and communication skills. If choosing one area I feel the class most efficiently focuses on and impacts the students it would have to be feminism and the way Professor King not only presents it in lecture, but also reading material.
Is for Gender
Tendencies in society to judge people on habits, character, and physical characteristics stem from the importance placed on gender. Everything in society has strict stipulations depending on which gender is performing such as sports, mass media, and also within the family home. Standards differ between the two and often women held to much higher standards then men, though getting treated half as poorly if not more. Accomplishments have been sparse in trying to change outlooks of citizens and promoting the idea that women are able to achieve as much as men. Controversial issues arise everyday and this class effectively informed students not only about the issue but other issues and times in the past it stems from. The title of the class may be women, art, and culture, but as with the definition of feminism the male gender was not exiled completely; look at all the male students in the class.
Gender has always been an influential factor within the activities I participate in such as the 4-H program and sports during high school. Expecting this class when signing up to only focus on women and sit men aside for the semester I was happy when they were also included in some lectures. The one area of the course map which I feel concretely helped me with this term is the book Kindred where Kevin and Rufus played important roles in the plot of the story. Being the book I gained the most from I began to see the differences we associate with gender but also the characteristics we share. After being exposed to the privilege and oppression we face as a result of our gender as females I have gained a better more concrete understanding of the world around us. Taking away from this class is valuable knowledge but also the goal of not being judged simply on the basis of male or female.
Is for Hard Hat Area
Is for Intersectionality
It is the belief of intersectionality that “cultural patterns are not only interrelated, but are bound together and influenced by other systems of society such as race, gender, ethnicity, and social class” (Collins, 2000, pg 42). This term can be related to an onion, each layer representing an identity from the collection we contain as individuals stacked tightly upon one another. Citizens often have a specific social situation to use a specific identity, although all are included in our personality making up the individual we tend to call “ourselves”. Identities can be derived from a variety of sources, though most often are a result of social relations, history, personal and societal, along with power structures, which have been an influence on our life. It seems through the study of this course that intersectionality is vital to improving political and social equality within society.
Intersectionality has become one of the terms in which I feel that I have become more comfortable in using as a result of my participation in the class. Growing up I never though that citizens would be oppressed or privileged depending on specific factors and features in their cultures and the pattern that interlocks these items together. In the third assignment I was very motivated to discover my own intersectionality and matrix of domination to see what exactly determined my social and political stance within society. Now that I am consciously aware of this term I have noticed myself wanting to eagerly educate others that differences in humans are not merely due to race or gender, but are a collection of our entire lives and the marked or unmarked categories which we are a part of
Is for Judy Baca
In book already
Never hearing of Judy Baca before I was immediately impressed with the work she has done throughout communities and the unity she promotes. The Great Wall encompasses a variety of issues including various cultures and how we can all come together as one. I feel that the work she does in communities which she associates in is a very effective one and resourceful in order to improve the look without building new structures. There are many communities in the area where I live including Baltimore County that would be wonderful places to bring art in to the area and advocate unity. Many of theses areas are extremely diverse and segregated according to places different cultures may be and places to live. Judy Baca is doing a wonderful act to society and has provided me with an idea I hope to implement in many communities, which are struggling.
Is for Katie King
In book already
In book already
Is for Learning Analysis
Learning analyses were a way for students to connect the assignments and concepts presented in lecture to the roadmap of the course. Allowing students to write whatever thoughts come to mind encouraged them to not hold any opinions of the class back. I felt this was encouraging as when constructing this assignment I was able to see how the class evolved through time and the knowledge I gained. This activity influenced my opinion on many different concepts, as I was able to let the hand freely write on the paper and connect to other concepts we learned about. All of the learning analyses completed throughout the course of the semester are included in the following pages.
Is for Marked Categories
“Going against the grain” or qualities that differ from the accepted norm are characteristic of a marked category. Some may classify individuals within this subgroup as having an abnormal trait(s), seeing that it often relates to only a specific element within a broader range. Unfortunately, these traits are powerless and often titled as the minority within society. One example of a marked category is women who are seen as the inferior gender and not being accepted throughout society as holding the same equivalent power given to men. Feminist movements are trying to change the oppression faced by women as they advocate for equality of gender within all aspects of society. Whether it be political, social, in the job place, or even matters dealing with rape and abuse, women are not given the respect they deserve. If feminist movements are successful in the future women would no longer be seen as the minority or oppressed gender, but see males and females both as members of an unmarked category.
B. These are the only two marked categories that I can associate with. As I was completing assignment 3 I saw the lack of oppression I have faced compared to my other fellow students such as my partner. Often I feel that others think of my differently as I am so unmarked and feel that I am a different type of person. This was evident when completing the activity in discussion where we took the steps forward and back. After awhile my classmates started to wonder about the life I had lived and why I was so far advanced. I believe that no matter how many categories marked or unmarked make up your intersectionality it is your personality that is the key component to a successful life.
Is Under Construction for Road Work
Is for Orientation
Sexual orientation refers to "an enduring emotional, romantic, sexual, or affectional attraction toward others," The most common forms exists along a continuum that ranges from exclusive heterosexuality (being sexually attracted to members of the opposite sex) to exclusive homosexuality (being sexually attracted to members of the same sex) and includes various forms of bisexuality (being sexually attracted to members of either sex). Most definitions of sexual orientation include a psychological component (such as the direction of an individual's erotic desire) and/or a behavioral component (which focuses on the sex of the individual's sexual partner/s).
b. As society is changing and sexual orientation becomes a heavily debated issue within the media, I have been forced to take a stance. While I will not share with which side I claim to be associated with I will say that this class has taught me to make influential decisions such as which side I believe is morally right for myself, rather then allowing the influences of society to make it for me. In the past I have confronted to social norms and peer pressure often not living by my own morals and beliefs but those that would get me accepted easier in society. Through lectures and discussion this semester I have seen that it is important to be true to your inner self and that is all that matters. Inner beauty is an important thing and so is following your heart. Many citizens feel that homosexuality is not what God intended humans to practice, though he did intend humans to be happy, which one is less of a threat to society.
Is for Perez (Chicana Art)
"These pieces are part of the dynamic body of work presented in this pioneering, lavishly illustrated study, the first book primarily focused on Chicana visual arts. Creating an invaluable archive, Laura E. Perez examines the work of more than forty Chicana artists across a variety of media including painting, printmaking, sculpture, performance, photography, film and video, comics, sound recording, interactive CD-ROM, altars and other installation forms, and fiction, poetry, and plays."
Artwork incorporated into this book blew my mind as some forms I had never considered to be art. Growing up as a little kid I had the mindset that if you did not make it in art class then there was no way for it to be considered artwork, Laura Perez changed that outlook for the best. Each and every form of art in the book had a drastically different interpretation and subject that it was trying to depict. Opening up my eyes up to a broader horizon has allowed me to appreciate the small things in society whether it be a direct or indirect form of art. As my experiences through the class have changed my life for the better and given me knowledge that I will forever remember this book has had an impact on my knowledge and the world that I once saw versus the world, which I see now. One that is filled with art in different venues and from different cultures.
Is Under Construction for Road Work
Is for Rights
a. The term women’s rights refers to the freedoms inherently possessed by women, which may be institutionalized, ignored or suppressed by law, custom, and behavior in a particular society. Issues commonly associated with notions of women's rights include, though are not limited to, the right: to bodily integrity and autonomy; to vote (universal suffrage); to hold public office; to work; to fair wages or equal pay; to own property; to education; to serve in the military; to enter into legal contracts; and to have marital, parental and religious rights. Women and their supporters have campaigned and in some places continue to campaigned for the same rights as modern men.
b. Rights have long been guaranteed to the citizens of America through binding documents such as the Constituion and Declaration of Independence or so we thought. As it has become apparent these documents seemed to only pertain to certain social groups who are powerful in todays modern society such as men. Throught history women have fought very hard to secure the rights they currently have and even now that is not saying much. It was believed in the 19th and early 20th centuries that women were the property of their husbands, while we are not that extreme there is still huge amounts of oppression faced. Until sitting in the class I was unsure of how many rights women have still not secured. It blows my mind to think they are so under priviliged but work harder then men to create families and keep the economy striving.
Is for Seely (Fight Like A Girl)
"By boldly detailing what is at stake for women and girls today, Megan Seely outlines the necessary steps to achieve true political, social and economic equity for all. Reclaiming feminism for a new generation, Fight Like A Girl speaks to young women who embrace feminism in substance but not necessarily in name. With an eye toward what it takes to create actual change, Seely offers a practical guide for how to get involved, take action and wage successful events and campaigns. The book is full of valuable resources for novice and committed activists alike."
I am the exact girl whom Megan Seely wrote this book for as I am a girl who believes in the theories and works of activism associated with feminism though do not like being called a feminist as I still believe society associates it with a negative connotation. Through reading the selections required for this class I have been able to gather ideas on how to help make change possible through not being out in the open about my activism. Some of the ideas, which she gives to women, I have tried in various groups I am associated with and surprisingly they work excellent. The advice and knowledge she shares it from appoint of view of someone who was there at one time also and understands the struggles one faces. I definitely feel as if this is the most important book included in the course as it interrelates with other concepts and brings all nicely into one form. If given the chance to meet this extraordinary person I would take advantage of it as she has been influential in my understanding of women, struggles faced, and how those struggles can be overcome. As mentioned in the synopsis of the book it is not only a guide for those who are just starting out but also an invaluable resource for all others who are willing to take a stance against the conformity of society and make change. There is no better time then today to become involved!
Is for Tunnel of Oppression
An exhibit displaying issues prominent in society, which unfortunately has a direct correlation on, oppressed groups. Issues that are commonly used in the tunnel include mass media, sexual orientation, prohibition, and also drugs/violence. College campuses across America create displays that they share with fellow students with the ultimate goal of creating interest in these issues and encouraging young adults to become involved with activist groups. Often times reactions the tunnel creates are overpowering as it in no way shape or form censors the information it shares with visitors, but instead brings all aspects positive or negative out for all to see. At the University of Maryland there was emphasis put on sex and the demands placed on women through the media, sexual production and birth; as well as, prohibition. Feminism is an emerging issue taking place within exhibits of Tunnels of Oppressions, though if the world operated equally it would be considered a privilege just as masculinity is.
Through taking part in this exhibition with my discussion group I was introduced to many issues taking place in American society and other countries that I would normally glance over. I feel that the issues presented are life changing, as I never realized how much television children watched or the way magazines ads influence our lifestyles. As a result of this activity I was able to see how countries are unequal and that the intersectionality of individuals are directly affected by the circumstances of the county and whether there is oppression or privilege. After walking through with my discussion group I was able to link concepts presented as I walked through the tunnel to those in which we have discussed in class and even thought of ways in which the book written by Goldbard about changing communities could help to eliminate some of the problems we create for ourselves.
Is for Unmarked Categories
Citizens of society strive to be accepted and appear to others as normal in every aspect of their individuality, constantly changing beliefs and morals. Unmarked categories are most evident throughout society as it relates to the majority, and along with superior characteristics society holds as the utmost important. This category appears to be generic in the traits it includes, unlike marked categories being very discriminative and clearly defined to an exact element. In opposition to marked categories, unmarked is seen as dominant and those within are powerful, as well as privileged. When reading the newspaper or watching the news, rarely do members of the unmarked categories appear in the criminal reports, but instead are seen as the successful leaders of our country. Americans have provided themselves with this stereotype by being discriminative and the only way to change the outlook is to change the influential power of many institutions/systems.
Is for Vacancy of Voids
Often while traveling down the road, drivers and passengers see many voids between vehicles and stretches of road. Professor King actively pushes the gas pedal in order to steer the class down the correct pathway ensuring all concepts are presented in a timely fashion and no voids are left between assignments. Some may say the class was fast pace from the amount of nightly reading to the speed of lectures only focusing on a topic one day; however, the overall effectiveness of the course was not hindered, but enhanced. Actively keeping students engaged in discussion and analytic thinking has proven to be beneficial to both teacher and students.
Sitting in class here at Maryland I have often come to know the feeling a student experiences when a teacher is unprepared for class or draws out a topic in lecture. I highly commend Professor King on her efforts to keep all students engaged in the class by actively synthesizing the material and enriching discussions through supplemental materials. The same concept holds true for my TA as she was always facilitating discussion, never letting there be downtime when we were not discussing material either related directly to the course or even broader to the community around us. I feel that this is an important skill to model to students as many of us have been affected by this class and are willingly to step out and make change, although when taking on a leadership role in the community all ducks must be in a row and no gaps left to be filled, we have been show creative ways to keep citizens engaged while strengthening our arguments.
Is for Women
As stated on previous pages I have known very little of the subjects the class focused on and did not care to know more, but after attending was influenced to start making change. As a female myself I was unsure how much more I could learn about my own gender that would be interesting or make a difference, boy was I wrong! Throughout the class I accumulated a wealth of knowledge that has changed my outlook on life, perception of myself, and also made me realize the difference in standards we face. Women are seen as incapable of holding power and being good leaders in society yet I have to see they are never given the chance to prove their capabilities. The quotes on the left-hand page are ones I have stumbled across as I have taken this class and have impacted the ideas society believes. All of these are true and dig into a deeper meaning then just the surface level. One of the lessons, which I have eagerly thought about as it blows my mind, is women and the sexual image they face along with expectations. From the tunnel of oppression to videos presented in class from you tube, I have begun to see the way women are portrayed as objects and not individual human beings. Other issues dealing with women are prominent in today’s society and I feel that as a result of my attendance to class I have been able to better connect to the oppression I face as a female.
Is Under Section for Road Work
Is for You as a subject in history
Considering Ourselves as Subjects in History
What world historical events have occurred during your life? when baby, child, teen, now?Where have you lived, and what sort of events is that part of the world known for? what do you know about its history? what family stories are there about world events?What is the earliest memory you have of something of historical importance? what were you doing? what did you notice happening with people around you? what did you learn?What do you think is the most significance set of events of the currrent historical moment? how do you see yourself acting in relations to those events? what do you want to see happening?When have you worked with others for important changes? what happened? what will happen?
This activity was beneficial to see where I stood coming into the class and the form of activism I had taken part in. Choosing to describe myself as a student who had promoted fire safety within the home and workplace after the events on September 11th I had no way of connecting that to women’s studies. I have taken away from this class that it is the small things that add up to make a difference and not one event or one single amount of time. While I was not advocating for the rights of women directly I still had women in mind as it is proven they are the last to exit a crowded building when there is a fire! I also appreciated having this assignment handed on the very first day as it also gave all of us students a chance to learn more about our teachers assistants and professor King.
Is for Zap Mama
a. Zap Mama is a Belgian musical group founded and led by Marie Daulne. Daulne says her mission is to be a bridge between the European and the African and bring the two cultures together with her music.[1] "What I would like to do is bring sounds from [Africa] and bring it to the Western world, because I know that through sound and through beats, that people discover a new culture, a new people, a new world."[2] Zap Mama specializes in polyphonic, harmonic music with a mixture of heavily infused African instruments, R&B, and Hip-hop and emphasizes voice in all their music.[1] "The voice is an instrument itself," says Daulne.[1] "It's the original instrument. The primary instrument. The most soulful instrument, the human voice."[3] They sing in French and English with deep African roots. (Wikipedia)

Prologue-
Excitement waits, as you get ready to turn the pages through learning about personal development of a student to the terms and objects associated with women studies! Signing up for the women studies class titled: Women, Art, and Culture, I was unsure of whether I would like the material taught as I had never been an avid feminist or talked of the word for that matter. Filling a core class I registered; it not only fit nicely into my schedule, but others had recommended the class, commenting on the way it tied into society. Not sure of whether this would be the class that caught my utmost interest or if this would be the one on the backburner, I tried to go in with a positive attitude and not judge the course before sitting in class. Unsure of what I had gotten myself into at first I sat in class wondering if all the words and people would make sense. As the words came out of Professor King’s mouth, they rarely continued into my brain where they could make sense. As time progressed and the road map of the class became easier to read, I gained a more positive attitude and participated eagerly finding interest in the subjects. Let’s turn the page to see where the roadmap takes us, along with the impact it had on a student.

Conclusion-
A wild ride, but a fascinating one is what Women, Art, and Culture 250 has provided, along with leaving me a wealth of knowledge on various topics. Knowledge that will be used when serving as an activist, later in life, and also here at the University while I finish my studies. Taught through lecture, group assignments, and supplemental readings I feel I have gained far more then imaginable through my participation.
A major lesson I learned through my experience is to not judge an object before giving it time to prove itself. As mentioned in the prologue to the book I was very discriminative against this class, intently thinking of dropping it except for the fact that I was fulfilling a core requirement. Having an opinionated attitude when walking in the first day I was sure class was a joke and could not make me learn anything I did not already know about women and art. I mean how much do you have to know about your own gender and some paintings?
Knowledge was just the basis of my gaining from this class but also life skills such as teamwork and communication that will allow me to be a successful female within the world. Through the implementation of group projects all students had to collaboratively come together and help one another. The class simulated real life situations in the workplace only through the use of discussions, which will in turn allow students in the class to have an advantage four years from now.
Personally, the course map was nicely paved and well marked with signs along the road. I feel that each exit (assignment) came at the right time and I was prepared fully to complete it at the best of my ability as the concepts that came before were guidance markers. The whole purpose of assignment four is to place us in the story and explain where we fall, though I feel that there was not one area but instead I am the fumes from the car engine still lingering over the entirety of the road.
Unfortunately over the course of the semester I had to miss a couple of classes that acted as speed bumps in order to be cautious. Missing a class is like not following the speed limit; everything is presented for your benefit and to help understand readings or homework.
I am as a result of my participation enlightened over the issues within our society such as oppression and privilege that are directly associated with marked and unmarked categories. Women are put up against forces from all different directions that are strong and willing to knock each one down when the opportunity arises. Female intersectionalities have been greatly affected and continue to be until forms of activism can prove to make a difference in the world we live in.
Wholeheartedly I would recommend this class to any other student and as a word of advice if you are signed up and think the class is a joke, go on time and I’m sure your attention will be caught!