Summer Sessions 2008
Women's Studies Summer Forum
A series of one-credit classes dealing with women’s issues. Each class meets on a Monday and Wednesday evening, 5:00-9:50 p.m. See Course Listings for more information.
June 16-18
SS/Women and Passion
WS/Psy 399
We are inspired greatly and directed wisely by our own authentic passion. Through poetry, music, stories and visual portraits of passionate women in action, and participants’ own life experiences, this two evening Women’s Studies Course will explore the "fire of passion" and how keeping a strong connection to that fire within positively affects our relationships, work life, health, spirituality, creativity and a deeper sense of meaning. This class will also look at the important regenerative role passion plays in our lives during times of loss and transition.
June 23-25
SS/Understanding and Responding to Child Abuse
WS 399
This course is intended for people who would like to better understand the various types of child abuse (including child sex abuse), and dynamics. We will cover topics related to family preservation, victimization, perpetrators, reporting, response, investigations, systems, and the juvenile court process.
June 30-July 2
SS/Tough Girls in U.S. Popular Culture
WS/Comm 399
With the rise in popular U.S. media of such films as Charlie’s Angels, Tomb Raider and Girls Town and the TV hits Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Xena a spate of "tough girls" has emerged. This course will examine what this trend means for gender relations and the status of women in U.S. society. Are progressive images necessarily transgressive? Should these characters be considered role models? Are they breaking gender paradigms or furthering oppressive ones? The course will also critically examine how sexuality, class and race have shaped the production of these characters.
July 7-9
SS/Women and Eating
WS/Psy 399
Many women are dissatisfied with their body image. This course will examine the relationship women have with their bodies, their body image, and their self image. It will include the bio-psycho-social influences that can lead to self-destructive behaviors and self-defeating thoughts and beliefs. We will explore how women can change these thoughts, beliefs and behaviors so they can learn to enjoy, appreciate, and love their bodies and their lives. A paper will be required.
July 14-16
SS/Fathers and Daughters
WS/Psy 399
This course explores the relationship between adult daughters and their fathers by addressing developmental issues and reaching for answers to questions, i.e. what was the father’s message about what it means to be a man, what it means to be a woman. Lecture, discussion, picture sharing, story telling, video, demonstration are employed; small group interaction is encouraged. Students are asked to bring family photos if possible to Wednesday class
July 21-23
SS/Self Love
WS 399
This is a course designed to explore the specific ways that, as women, we can learn to love and to reclaim ourselves in the midst of our busy lives. Course to include art components.
July 28-30
SS/Introduction to Domestic Violence
WS 399
This course will give a basic overview of domestic violence and related issues, including information on how to support a victim both as a professional and as a friend/family member.
August 4-6
SS/Women and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
WS 399
Information about how women experience PTSD and the impact of trauma on daily functioning. Course to include specific tools that facilitate healing from traumatic events as well as definitions and types of trauma to women that can cause PTSD.
August 11-13
SS/Bisexual Women
WS 399
Covers current bisexual women’s issues including: the dynamics between bisexual women and lesbians; how bisexual women define and negotiate their relationships; how bisexual women are portrayed in popular culture; and the eroticization of bisexual women by heterosexual men.
August 18-20
SS/Gender, Anger and Empowerment
WS/Psy 399
Men and women have been socialized to express their anger differently, and often, with little satisfaction for either gender. Men are encouraged to act out aggressively and women are encouraged to mask their anger or even not to express anger at all. These methods often lead to serious problems in all their relationships-romantic, family, and in the workplace, causing even more problems that often affect their health and self-esteem. This class will examine the gender differences and offer methods to process and express anger more effectively. A paper is required.
