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High School
Introduction to Women's Studies
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This course, although looking specifically at the experiences of women, is not for girls only. If you are a student interested in exploring the world of women’s studies through viewing several films and open-minded enough to explore issues involving women’s issues and social change, this course is for you.
Note: Adult themes are explored directly and maturely in this course and the films viewed. This material may not be appropriate for middle school or early high school students.
Major Topics and Concepts
- Understand the process of developing critical thinking skills.
- Understand the personal and academic purposes of thinking critically.
- Apply literary terminology in the analysis of film.
- Connect your personal experiences to the content of this unit to further develop understanding.
- View the film Mona Lisa Smile while critically applying the content of the unit.
- Define the concept of feminism.
- Discuss several significant feminist moments and activists.
- Detail the organized activity on behalf of women’s rights and interests.
- Connect your understanding and experiences with the knowledge gained in this unit.
- Explain the catalyst for women’s studies courses being offered.
- Understand the curriculum and approach in a women’s studies course.
- Understand the importance and apply empathy to life and to examining film.
- Connect your personal experiences to further develop your understanding of the content of this unit.
- View the film Fried Green Tomatoes while critically applying the content of this and previous units.
- Understand the significance of the Civil Rights movement regarding feminism.
- Recognize the connectedness among forms of discrimination.
- Explain various forms of diversity and the exclusion and prejudice that can result socially.
- Consider your perspective in response to the content of the unit and apply it to promote greater awareness and understanding.
- View the film Far From Heaven while critically applying the content of the unit to your analysis of the film’s significance.
- Understand the issues in the nature versus nurture debate of gender-role development.
- Consider the influence of gender socialization on a person’s life experiences and choices.
- Critically view films evaluating feminist theory regarding the animated world of female characters in Disney.
- Reflectively connect your personal experiences and understanding to the content of this unit.
- Apply the content of this unit while viewing the films Snow White and the Seven Dwarves and Beauty and the Beast.
- Understand and discuss social stratification and the process of social hierarchies.
- Consider the impact of socialization on stereotypes that define and limit individuals.
- Reflect on the standards set for girls and women regarding beauty.
- Connect your understanding and experiences, develop media literacy, and apply that knowledge to the content of the course.
- View the film Mean Girls while critically applying the content of the unit to the text.
- Understand the subconscious and conscious nature of stereotypes.
- Consider the impact of our need for security on the individual and society.
- Examine the function of role models and mentors in society.
- Connect your personal experiences with the content of the unit to discover relevance and meaningful understanding.
- View the film The Help while critically applying the content of the unit.
- Understand the “Apple Think Different” ad campaign.
- Understand the qualities of inspirational thinkers.
- Apply the understanding of the qualities of inspirational thinkers to your reflection.
- Connect previous units of study with the ideas and examples raised to explore the final themes of the course.
- View the film A League of Their Own critically while applying the content of the unit.
Course Materials
Students will need to have access to the following movies to complete this course. Typically movies can be accessed at local libraries for free. Please check the movie ratings.
- Mona Lisa Smile (2003)
- Fried Green Tomatoes (1991)
- Far From Heaven (2002)
- Snow White and the Seven Dwarves (Disney Animation – 1937)
- Beauty and the Beast (Disney Animation – 1991)
- Mean Girls (2004)
- The Help (2011)
- A League of Their Own (1992)
Competencies
Challenging Stereotypes
Students will demonstrate an understanding of challenging stereotypes by describing the nature of stereotypes and their impact on girls, and analyzing the function of role models in society.
Critical Thinking for Women’s Studies
Students will demonstrate an understanding of critical thinking for women’s studies by describing the critical thinking process when viewing films, explaining the purpose of thinking critically, and relating literary terminology in the analysis of stories.
Feminism
Students will demonstrate an understanding of feminism by explaining the concept of feminism and by describing feminist history.
Gender-Role Development
Students will demonstrate an understanding of gender-role development by explaining the nature versus nurture debate in gender-role development, and analyzing the influence of gender socialization.
Innovative Thinkers
Students will demonstrate an understanding of innovative thinkers by explaining creative campaign strategies and summarizing the qualities of inspirational thinkers.
Interlocked Forms of Oppression
Students will demonstrate an understanding of interlocked forms of oppression by evaluating the intersections between forms of oppression and evaluating the role discrimination plays in oppression
Social Hierarchies
Students will demonstrate an understanding of social hierarchies by explaining social stratification, describing media influences on girls, and summarizing media literacy.
Women's Studies
Students will demonstrate an understanding of women’s studies by summarizing the history of women’s studies, describing the women’s studies curriculum, and explaining the role of emotional intelligence.
