Weekly outline

  • General

  • Topic 1

    Monday July 6

    The agenda for today:

    1. Introductions
    2. Focus Group- What do girls need to know to be healthy?
    3. Overview of Women's Health
    4. Course Expectations
    5. Half the Sky: Introduction (Read Chapters 1 and 2 for Thursday)

    The Girl Effect: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1e8xgF0JtVg

    Journal Entry Prompt:

    • Describe an example of gender-based health disparities. What steps do you think can be taken to address this disparity?

    *Every student is expected to reflect each day in a journal. You can write about whatever you would like; these prompts are intended to serve as suggestions if you are having trouble thinking of something to write about.

    For tomorrow, check out the menstrual cycle reading and explanation listed under tomorrow's class (Topic 2).

    • Topic 2

      Tuesday July 7- Anatomy/ Menstruation/ International Perspectives on Health

      The agenda for today:

      1. Female anatomy 
      2. Periods, cramps and hormones
      3. International Perspectives on Women's Health:
      • Trafficking
      • Video: "The Day I Will Never Forget" -- Female Circumcision
      • Video: Obstetric Fistula

      Journal Entry Prompts:

      • Did anything you learned today about anatomy surprise you?
      • In "The Day I'll Never Forget" can you identify any bias in the film?
      • Discuss the issues involved in female circumcision: Cultural, Medical, and Gender-based. What do you think is the best way to address this issue?
      • What did you know about obstetric fistula before today? Why do you think this issue receives so little media coverage?

      Homework:

      • Please have the "Thigh Gap" and "Menstrual Manipulation" articles listed under Wednesday's class (topic 3), read by tomorrow.
      • Half the Sky Chapters 1 and 2 reading and moodle posts due by Thursday.

    • Topic 3

      Wednesday July 8- Contraception, STIs, and Media Literacy

      The agenda for today:

      1. Contraceptives: What you need to know
        • Resource: www.bedsider.org
      2. STIs
      3.  Media Literacy:

      • Video: "Slim Hopes"

      • Magazine Activity: Positive and Negative Images of Beauty in the Media 

        Hall of Fame, Wall of Shame


      Journal Entry Prompt: 

      • In the face of media pressures, how can you construct your own healthy idea of beauty?
      • Are there any conversations in your community (school/ family/ SSEP etc.) that could promote negative body image? What steps can you take to shift these conversations in a more healthy direction?
      • Take a minute to write a list of qualities that make you the unique and beautiful person you are, both inside and out. You deserve it!

      Homework:

      • Make sure to read Chapters 1 and 2 in Half the Sky and post in the forum for tomorrow.
      • Also for Tomorrow, read the "Path of AIDS" article listed under tomorrow's class (Topic 4).

    • Topic 4

      Thursday July 9-HIV/AIDS

      The agenda for today:

      1. Intro to HIV/AIDS
      2. Video: Sex and Other Matters of Life or Death"- Youth Outreach about AIDS
      3. Discussion: Half the Sky Chapters 1 and 2
      4. Video: "A Close Walk"- A Global Perspective of AIDS
      5. Choose topics for scenes

      Journal Prompts

      • Given what you've seen in "Sex and Other Matters of Life or Death," what do you think is the best way to reach out to youth about AIDS? Why do you think AIDS is such a difficult disease to prevent?
      • What can youth do to prevent HIV?

       Homework: 

      • For Monday: Half the Sky- Chapters 6 and 7, Post in Forum
      • Also for Monday: Read the "Ina Mae Gaskin" and "Brazilian Women Rebel Against Caesarean Sections" articles listed under Monday's class (Topic 6).

      • Half the Sky- Chapters 1 and 2 Forum

        Please post a short reflection (paragraph) on the forum for the Half the Sky reading by midnight the night before we are to discuss the reading in class. On each forum there are suggested prompts, but you can choose to reflect on any part of the reading. You are also more than welcome to reflect on Half the Sky in your journal entry.

    • Topic 5

      Friday July 10-New York City 

      1. Leave at 6 AM!!!!!!
      2. 9:30-12:00, STAR Theatre (The Directors Company, 311 W 43rd St. Suite 409)
      3. Dr. Berlin discussion of sexuality.
      4. Dinner: New York
      5. Back on campus by 10:30

      Journal Entry Prompts:

      • What did you like about our trip to NYC?
      • What did you not like about the trip?
      • What was helpful about working with the actors in NYC?
      • Did our trip to NYC inspire any ideas for the play?
      • Did you think of any questions to ask the actors when they come back?

      Homework: 

      • For Monday: Half the Sky- Chapters 6 and 7, Post in Forum
      • Also for Monday: Read the "Ina Mae Gaskin" and "Brazilian Women Rebel Against Caesarean Sections" articles listed under Monday's class (Topic 6).

      • Topic 6

        Monday July 13- Childbirth and Abortion/ Gynecological Exam

        The agenda for today:

        1. Video: "Childbirth: Born in the USA"
        2. Discussion: Half the Sky Chapters 6 and 7
        3. Gynecological Exam and Questions
        4. Abortion
        5. Practice Skits


        Journal Entry Prompts:

        • Did anything about the gynecological exam surprise you?
        • Discuss some of the pros and cons of childbirth in a hospital setting and in a home setting.
        • Did watching the video change your view on natural childbirth?

        Homework:

        • For Tuesday: "Slut-Shaming" Article listed under Tuesday's class (Topic 7)
        • For Wednesday: Half the Sky Chapters 3 and 4, Moodle Post

      • Topic 7

        Tuesday July 14- Representation/Objectification and Masculinity

        The agenda for today:

        1. Film: "Dreamworlds"- Representation of Women in Music Videos
        2. Video: "Tough Guise"- Masculinity
        3. Video: "Tony Porter and the Man Box"- Masculinity

        Journal Entry Prompts:

        • Do you think "Dreamworlds" and "Tough Guise" showed accurate portrayals of media representations of women? Do you think there was a bias towards/ against a particular genre of music videos?
        • Compare and contrast "Dreamworlds" with "Tough Guise."
        • Why do you think it's important for young women to learn about masculinity?
        • After watching "Dreamworlds," has your perspective on music videos changed?

        Homework: 

        • For Wednesday: Half the Sky Chapters 3 and 4 and Moodle Post

      • Topic 8

        Wednesday July 15- Positive Leaders and Activism

        The agenda for today:

        1. Discussion: Half the Sky Chapters 3 and 4
        2. Film: "Pink Saris"- Sampat Pal and Fighting Against Domestic Violence in India
        3. Film: "Rites of Passage"- Ron Johnson and Teaching Positive Masculinity
        4. Finalize Scene Choices and Begin Rehearsals.

        Journal Entry Prompts:

        • What did you like/ not like about Sampat Pal's tactics in the video? What do you think other activists can learn from her?
        • Discuss "Rites of Passage." Can you think of any other issues that should be addressed when raising/ socializing young men?

      • Topic 9

        Thursday July 31- Scene Development with Terrance from STAR

        The agenda for today:

        1. Scene development with STAR:Terrance

        Journal Entry Prompt: 

        • Reflect on this course as a whole. Which day/film/discussion made the biggest impact on you? Has this course in general changed your perspective on women's health issues in any way?


        • Topic 10

          Friday July 17- Final Rehearsal 

          The agenda for today:

          1. Final rehearsal

          8 PM Presentation! :)

          • Topic 11

            • Topic 12

              • Topic 13

                • Topic 14

                  • Topic 15