Hello all,
I’m teaching a Women’s Studies class this summer in the Columbus, Ohio community. As I compile a reading list, I’m open to hearing suggestions. A little information about this class:
-I’m designing this class for women who are not in the university. All are welcome, but the class will be directed toward women who are unlikely to encounter Women’s Studies or ideas about feminism in their everyday lives.
-I’m looking for essays, articles, short stories, poetry, or books (relatively short works) that provide interesting or unusual descriptions of women’s everyday experiences. For example, Judy Syphers Brady’s “I Want a Wife” is not only accessible but unusual and thought-provoking.
-We will meet weekly or bi-weekly (contingent on the schedules of the women able to participate) in mid to late summer for about 6-10 weeks.
Thanks for your reading suggestions!
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Ooo, fun!
I'd suggest starting with the Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions from the Seneca Falls convention, just to show them how much progress women have made in the past 150 years.
The "Ain't I a Woman" speech by Sojourner Truth always makes me cry, and shows how important it is to remember the intersecting realities of gender and color.
"The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman is a classic short story, and would represent the dangers of not actually listening to what women say goes on with themselves.
The lyrics to "Not a Pretty Girl" by Ani DiFranco would be a fun, modern poem to read, and you could play the song.
The best part is that all of these things can be found online. :)
Where is this class taking place? My mother lives right outside Columbus (Gahanna) and might be interested in this if I can give her more info.
TJ,
I am still working out the details. I will be advertising in the local libraries, bookstores, coffeeshops, and newspapers. I am hoping to use the common room in the main library or even meet in nearby bookstores.
"White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack" by Peggy McIntosh
Not only is it a great introduction to discussion about privilege, but it also is available for free online.
"The Mother" by Gwendolyn Brooks, if you want an interesting discussion on the topic of abortion. The poem is beautifully written so that it can speak to people on all sides of the issue. It gives a personal, emotional attachment to the situation that many against abortion have a hard time seeing as a possibility.
This class sounds awesome.
you can use the book "Our Bodies, Ourselves" to teach them about their body and also the book "Feminism is for Everybody" by Bell Hooks.