Reflection 07-A: The New Birds and the Bees—Sex Education for the 21st Century

How would you design a 21st century sex eduction course?

Speaking to a United Nations AIDS conference in 1994, then-US Surgeon General Dr. Jocelyn Elders suggested that masturbation was "part of human sexuality, and perhaps it should be taught." After a quick public outcry, she was fired by President Clinton. Nearly twenty years later, masturbation is only one of many topics that remain taboo in the sex education classes of America. Today, fights rage over everything from abstinence-only programs to the presence of contraceptives on campuses; even the mentions of abortion and homosexuality are hotly debated. While some Americans favor sex education based on current sexual health information, others insist on abstinence-based approaches—if at all. Thus, these sex education varies widely from state to state, even county to county. What kind of sex ed class would you design? What do you believe is must-know information for today's students? And how do you decide what is appropriate or inappropriate for K-12? What information, if any, should be the responsibility of parents? Finally, at what age would your program begin and why?

Include at least two of the following pieces in your discussion:

• "Sex Education Around the World" (SparkLife)
• "Carnal Knowledge: The Sex Ed Debate" (MSNBC)
• "US Conservatives Attack UNESCO's Sex-Ed Guidelines" (Time)
• "Teaching Good Sex" (New York Times)
• "Texas Public School Districts Alter Sex Education Programs" (Hilltop Views)
• "Abstinence-Only Education Debate Resurfaces" (US News & World Report)

Requirements:

• Must be in MLA Style
• Must be two full pages in length
• Must include a works cited page

Due: Tuesday, Nov. 20th

Week 13

"The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return."

—Nat King Cole, "Nature Boy"

Week 13
Tu 11.13
Read: WHEN—“Women’s Liberation” – “Work and Children”
Class: Watch—“Smoke Gets in Your Eyes” from Mad Men (2007), Presentations
Due: REFLECTION 6-A or 6-B

Th 11.15
Read: WHEN—“The 1980s—Having It All” – Epilogue
Class: Reading discussion; Presentations
Due: PROCESS ESSAY (DRAFT 2; ATTACH ONE COPY OF DRAFT 1) 

Upcoming:

Week 14
Tu 11.20 Class: Watch—Miss Representation (2011)
Due: REFLECTION 7-A or 7-B

Th 11.22
NO CLASS—THANKSGIVING

Gender in the News: 11.10.12

• PETA: What veganism can do for men's bits BUZZFEED
• Pat Robertson "shocked" that women actually like porn HUFFINGTON POST
• British relationship expert: Men prefer "average" women DAILY MAIL
• The Dallas Mavericks Dancers go the "less is more" route with new uniforms YAHOO! SPORTS
• Own a piece of The Bieb: The "Just-In Beaver" sex doll is now available E!
• Why the GOP lost the women vote NEW YORK TIMES

Reflection 06-B: I Kissed a Girl—Lesbianism in Pop Culture

Note: Starting with  Reflection 06, you will have now two options (A or B) to write about; choose only one to write about each time. 

In recent years, lesbianism has become increasingly visible in American pop culture. In television, music, and film, lesbianism has seemingly reached a higher level of mainstream acceptance. Of course, lesbianism in the media has not always encountered total acceptance as its portrayal still carries with it an element of taboo. Add to this complaints from the lesbian community that the lesbianism portrayed in popular culture is often faux-lesbianism, defined by heterosexuals and crafted for the pleasure of men. In fact, one need only look the prevalence of "lesbians" in straight male porn to see how lesbian sexuality has been co-opted. Nonetheless, the past two decades has seen an exponential increase in lesbian imagery from The L Word to Ellen DeGeneres to Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Why have lesbians, or at least acts of lesbianism, become so much more prominent? And why has popular culture not embraced male/male displays of sexuality in the same way? Finally, has the media made it okay for heterosexual women to be open about their sexual appreciation for other women?

Include at least two of the following pieces in your discussion:

• "Faking Lesbianism in Pop Culture and Patriarchal Bargains" (Femmedia)
• "Fake Nails and Faux Lesbians" (McSweeney's)
• "Second Lesbian Protest for J.C. Penney" (InvestorPlace)
• "Femme Invisibility" (Huffington Post)
• "Why 'Glee's' Brittany and Santana are My Queer Icons" (AfterEllen)
• "Hollywood's Unholy Love for the Faux-Lesbian Kiss" (AOL News)

Requirements:

• Must be in MLA Style
• Must be two full pages in length
• Must include a works cited page

Due: Tuesday, Nov. 13th

Reflection 06-A: I Feel Pretty—Attractiveness in America

How advantageous is it to be physically attractive in our society? 

Note: Starting with  Reflection 06, you will have now two options (A or B) to write about; choose only one of the options each time. 

As Americans, we are all told that "beauty is only skin deep," and that "real beauty lies on the inside." We are told that. But the realities of our culture tell quite a different story. Beauty, as it turns out, is not only celebrated in America, but rewarded. Good looks can land a person preferential treatment at restaurants, on airplanes, even in court. It's as if beautiful people are allowed to live in a bubble. What do you feel are the benefits of being attractive in American society? Are good looking people treated more favorably than the general population? Finally, are there any downsides to being beautiful in America?

Include at least two of the following pieces in your discussion:

• "The Science of Magnetism" (Guardian)
• "Beautiful People are More Intelligent" (Psychology Today) 
• "Calling Miss Congeniality: Do Attractive People have Attractive Traits and Values?" (ScienceDaily)
• "Good Looks Will Get You that Job, Promotion, and Raise" (Psychology Today)
• "10 Pleasures and Pains of Being Beautiful" (PsyBlog)
• "Don’t Hate Me Because I’m Beautiful" (Daily Beast)

Requirements:

• Must be in MLA Style
• Must be two full pages in length
• Must include a works cited page

Due: Tuesday, Nov. 13th

Week 12

"A deranged person is supposed to have the strength of ten men. 

I have the strength of one small boy—with polio."

—Woody Allen, Shadows and Fog

Week 12
Tu 11.06
Read: WHEN—“Repudiating Rosie” – “Housework”
Class: SHORT ANSWER RESPONSES 

Th 11.08
Read: WHEN—“The Ice Cracks” – “The Decline of the Double Standard”
Class: Writers workshop
Due: PROCESS ESSAY (DRAFT 1; BRING 2 COPIES) 

Upcoming:

Week 13
Tu 11.13
Read: WHEN—“Women’s Liberation” – “Work and Children”
Class: Watch—“Smoke Gets in Your Eyes” from Mad Men (2007), Presentations
Due: REFLECTION 06-A or 06-B

Th 11.15
Read: WHEN—“The 1980s—Having It All” – Epilogue
Class: Reading discussion; Presentations
Due: PROCESS ESSAY (DRAFT 2; ATTACH ONE COPY OF DRAFT 1)

Gender in the News: 11.03.12

Each November, men around the world grow facial hair to raise funds and awareness for men’s health issues

• Welcome to "Movember" HUFFINGTON POST
• Mormon women serving missions in bigger numbers NEW YORK TIMES
• Understanding men and fear GQ
• Report: LA porn stars have more STDs than Nevada prostitutes LOS ANGELES TIMES
• Should anti-breast cancer campaigns ever be sexy? USA TODAY
• Holiday shoppers: How males and females compare MINT.COM