Activism Project

Intro to Women’s and Gender Studies

Activism Project

We will spend a good deal of time this semester exploring some of the challenges our society still faces in its struggle to establish equal opportunities for all people.  All this talk of problems can be dispiriting, which is why I created this activism unit.  In whatever size group you choose (you can do this alone or with one or ten other people from our class), you need to design and carry out some sort of activist project to bring the issues we’re discussing this semester to the larger campus community and/or to address some of the problems we’ve examined. 

You may design your project in whatever way you choose, but be aware that a small project that might earn an A for one person might not merit the same grade if it’s split among several people.  Design the project based on the number of people involved.  Be creative.  Think about a need that hasn’t been met or a population that hasn’t been served, and try to think of the most effective way to reach people.  I encourage you to start thinking about this now rather than waiting until the last minute, because you know you’ll already be crazy with work by the end of the semester.

            You need to document your work (take pictures or notes on what you do, videotape yourselves, whatever) and provide me with a group portfolio of your project, including an individual written self-assessment from each member of the group.  As part of this portfolio, tell me how and why you decided to do this particular project, how you knew that this work was needed or would be useful, and, if applicable, how you divided up the work.  Each group will make a powerpoint presentation to the class.  You can use your project proposal to help put together the presentation, but then add in documentation of what you did (pictures, video), and what the results were (assessment). 

Sample projects:  Students have done “how-to” car repair workshops for women, sponsored “Girls Night Out” to encourage women to have fun and look out for each other, offered discussion groups on violence against women, and handed out stickers and buttons to promote awareness on all kinds of issues.   

            Each group member’s grade will be based on the need for the project, how effectively it was carried out, how well the work was divided among group members, and the quality of your portfolio, your group presentation, and your individual assessment. 

            If you have any problems or concerns, come talk to me.  I want this project to be exciting, not agonizing, so if you find yourself in despair, please let me help.
 

Proposal due at Midterm (around 500 words) in the following format:

• Title page
• Title of project
• Names of participants
• Narrative (paragraph form)
• Description of project
• Discussion of why the project is needed
• The Plan (bullets, charts, and diagrams)
• Goals of project
• Step-by-step plan to meet those goals
• Time line
• What each participant will do
• Assessment: how will you know you have reached your goals? (paragraph form)

 

Activism Analysis essay (750-1000 words) due on last day of class during presentations

A part of this project includes an essay that synthesizes our discussions. This Activism Analysis essay must:

• Identify the problem and situation that your project addresses
• Apply ideas examined in class 
• Analyze the project in terms of feminist arguments about power and oppression
• Assess the project as a form of social advocacy.
• Cite the textbook and other readings to support your claims