Week 11

If you removed all of the homosexuals and homosexual
influence from what is generally regarded as American culture,
you would pretty much be left with Let's Make a Deal.

—Fran Lebowitz

Week 11: Mo 3.30/We 4.1

Read: eR—Transportraits by Lorenzo Triburgo; “DELUSION—“The ‘Seductive’ Allure of Neuroscience” – “Epilogue: And S-t-r-e-t-c-h!”

Class: CLOSE READ; Quickwrite; Reading discussion; Presentations

Due: REFLECTION 5

Upcoming:

Week 12: Mo 4.6/We 4.8

Read: DB—Short Story Pack: “Hills Like White Elephants” by Ernest Hemingway, “The Way Up to Heaven” by Roald Dahl

Class: Quickwrite; Reading discussion; Presentations

Due: EXPOSITORY

Reflection 5-B: Doors Swung Open—The Ethics of Outing

Outing is the act of disclosing a gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender person's sexual orientation or gender identity without his or her consent. In the days of old Hollywood, closeted stars had to contend with not only the rise of an unscrupulous tabloid press, but an American society overwhelmingly unsympathetic to homosexuals. In the 21st century, however, gays have gained unprecedented mainstream acceptance. Today, many performers, athletes, and politicians now often live openly as homosexuals. Still, not all of today's public figures are comfortable coming out of the closet. Those who chose not to openly disclose their sexual orientation, must rely on public charades, clandestine lifestyles, and the good graces of the gay community. Sometimes, their secrets are safe. Other times, they might find themselves publicly outed. Reasons to out a gay public figure vary, but it in every case an individual is robbed of the choice to reveal a very personal aspect of his or her life. Do you believe outing is acceptable? Is it a necessary evil or a loathable practice? For example, can a case be made to out an A-list celebrity or Washington politician if his or her outing would help the overall visibility of homosexuals in American society? Must some people's privacy be sacrificed for the greater good? Finally, what of closeted homophobes? Are they fair game—and who decides?

Include at least three of the following in your discussion:

• "Outing the Hypocrisy of Outing" (Time)
• "Outing Rep. Aaron Schock is Completely Acceptable" (Huffington Post)
• "Ex-NFL Player Kwame Harris Hopes Outing Helps Gay Athletes" (Sports Illustrated)
• "Why I Outed a Christian Star" (Salon)
• "The Case for Outing Closeted Politicians" (Salon)
• "The Case Against Outing Gay Politicians" (Newsweek)

Requirements:

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

Due: We 4.1

Reflection 5-A: The Color of Love—Navigating Interracial Relationships

President Obama is often lauded as our first black president, but he might more accurately be identified as our first biracial president. His white mother and black father were together at a time when such relationships were largely discouraged by American society. But what was taboo then is increasingly more commonplace today. In fact, recent census date continues to illustrate surges in the number of mixed-race marriages (about 5.3 million in 2010). But while their numbers are on the rise, it would be disingenuous to imply that today's interracial relationships do not face challenges. What issues do you believe arise from these relationships in 2012 America? What issues do these couples face that same-race couples might not? Do some racial stereotypes and myths persist? On a personal level, what is your experience with mixed-race relationships?

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

• "Eight Questions Interracial Couples are Tired of Hearing" (Huffington Post)
• "Opening the Box" (San Francisco Chronicle)
• "Black Women Face the Taboo of Interracial Dating" (New York Post)
• "Latina Women Chipping Away at Stigma of Interracial Marriages" NBC LATINO
  
• "White Male Seeking Sexy Asian Women" SALON
• "Bill De Blasio's Interracial Marriage Shatters Traditional Ideas of Race snd Politics" (Huffington Post)

Requirements:

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

Due: We 4.1

Week 10

"The old theory was: Marry an older man because they're more mature.

But the new theory is: Men don't mature, marry a younger one"

—Rita Rudner

Week 10: Mo 3.23/We 3.25

No Class: Happy Spring Break!

Upcoming:

Week 11: Mo 3.30/We 4.1

Read: eR—Transportraits by Lorenzo Triburgo; “DELUSION—“The ‘Seductive’ Allure of Neuroscience” – “Epilogue: And S-t-r-e-t-c-h!”

Class: CLOSE READ; Quickwrite; Reading discussion; Presentations

Due: REFLECTION 5

Gender in the News 3.16.15

• #wejustneedtopee: Trans activists take to social media to fight anti-bathroom laws in Texas and elsewhere (Advocate)
• "I hate my thighs" and "Love me for my leg rolls"  baby oneseis spark parent backlash (Yahoo! News)
• World's first penis transplant deemed a success (New York Post)
• Photographer takes a surprisingly initiate look at porn stars (Slate)
• How Millennial men are reshaping male fashion (Los Angeles Times)
• Menstruation myths prevalent in small Indian towns (Daily Mail)

Week 9

She is neither pink nor pale,

And she never will be all mine;
She learned her hands in a fairy-tale,
And her mouth on a valentine.

She has more hair than she needs;
In the sun ’tis a woe to me!
And her voice is a string of colored beads,
Or steps leading into the sea.

She loves me all that she can,
And her ways to my ways resign;
But she was not made for any man,
And she never will be all mine.

—Edna St. Vincent Millay, "Witch-Wife"

Week 9: Mo 3.16/We 3.18

Read: DELUSION—“In ‘the Darkness of the Womb’ (and the First Few Hours in the Light)” – “Brain Scams”

Class: PROCESS; Quickwrite; Reading discussion; Presentations

Due: REFLECTION 4

Upcoming:

Week 10: Mo 3.23/We 3.25
Happy Spring Break!

Reflection 4: Girl, You Rock!—Examining Feminist Anthems

Beyoncé, "Me, Myself, and I" (2003)

Music has always been a source of inspiration for people. And women, in particular, have used music to share stories, strengthen bonds, and celebrate femininity. This has been no different since the beginning of  the rock and pop era. Early on, female artists often used their songs as feminine rallying cries. Thus, so-called "feminist anthems" have remained a mainstay of American popular music. Bold songs about sexuality, infidelity, sexism, self-esteem, and a range of other topics, aren't uncommon from female artists. In fact, these songs are often unsung during times when the society, as a whole, isn't ready for them. For this reflection, examine four of the following female-empowerment songs, each from a different decade. In your analysis, consider what these songs are really about? Who or what are they challenging? And how do these songs reflect the point in history in which they were written?

Write about four of the following songs:

1. Lesley Gore, "You Don't Own Me" (1963) 
2. Nancy Sinatra, "These Boots are Made for Walking" (1966) 
3. Aretha Franklin, "Respect" (1967) 
4. Loretta Lynn, "Don't Come Home a' Drinkin' (With Lovin' on Your Mind)" (1967) 
5. Dolly Parton, “Just Because I’m a Woman” (1968) 
6. Helen Reddy, "I Am Woman" (1971) 
7. Gloria Gaynor, "I Will Survive" (1978) 
8. Sister Sledge, "We are Family" (1979)
9. Joan Jett, "Bad Reputation" (1981) 
10. Cyndi Lauper, "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" (1984)
11. Janet Jackson, "Control" (1986) 
12. Kate Bush, "This Woman's Work" (1988) 
13. Madonna, "Express Yourself" (1989)  
14. Mary Chapin Carpenter, "He Thinks He'll Keep Her" (1993)  
15. Queen Latifah, "U.N.I.T.Y." (1993)
16. Salt-N-Pepa, "Ain't Nuthin' But a She Thing" (1994)
17. Hole, "Doll Parts" (1994)
18. Alanis Morissette, "You Oughta Know" (1995)
19. Spice Girls, Wannabe" (1996)
20. Erykah Badu, "Tyrone" (1997) 
21. No Doubt, "Just a Girl" (1995)  
22. TLC, "No Scrubs" (1999) 
23. Dixie Chicks, "Goodbye Earl" (2000) 
24. Destiny's Child, "Independent Woman, Pt. I" (2000) 
25. Madonna, "What it Feels Like for a Girl" (2000)  
26. Destiny's Child, "Survivor" (2001) 
27. Christina Aguilera ft. Lil' Kim, "Can't Hold Us Down" (2003)
28. Nelly Furtado (Ft. Timbaland), "Promiscuous"
29. Pink, "Stupid Girls" (2006)
    
30. Beyoncé, "If I Were a Boy" (2008) 
31. Alicia Keys, "Superwoman" (2008)
32. Jordan Sparks, "I am Woman" (2011)
33. Kelly Clarkson, "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)" (2012) 
34. Taylor Swift, “Blank Space” (2014)
35. Beyoncé and Nicki Minaj, “Flawless (Remix)”
36. Janelle Monáe (ft. Solange), "Electric Lady" (2014)

Here are some of the most popular websites for song lyrics:

• Lyrics.com
• A-Z Lyrics
• LyricsFreak
• MetroLyrics

Requirements:

• Must be in MLA Style
• Must be two full pages in length

Due: Wed 3.18

Gender in the News 3.11.15

• Pregnant model's barely-there belly kicks ignites an Internet firestorm (ABC News)
• Talk to the hand: Female Lebanese newscaster shuts down rude male guest (Yahoo! News)
• Same-sex marriage support in America reaches record high (Wall Street Journal)
• Street performers vs anti-gay preacher: See who wins (Time)
• Egypt investigating pron film shot at pyramids (Huffington Post)
• New Mexico legislator: Some rape is "just drunk college sex" (Salon)

Process Essay: I've Never Done This Before

It can sometimes be jarring to try something new, especially if it's something not usually done by someone like you. For next week’s in-class writing assignment, you will be asked to participate in an activity “typically” consider to be associated with the opposite sex. For example, a woman might choose to engage in a gaming session, or a man might spend some time in a spa. (Of course, just what a feminine or masculine activity is depends on who you ask. So, choices of activity are individual, there is no right or wrong.) Spending time in someone else's shoes, so to speak, helps you better understand their perspective and empathize with their situation.

You will chronicle your experience through an in-class process essay. Think of it as an older cousin to the old “how-to” essay of middle school. A process essay informs readers of how something is done or how to do something. The goal is not to simply outline the steps involved in a process, however. The goal should be to illuminate the overall significance of that activity. In other words, the "why" is as important as the "how." Your task is not only explain the process, but to examine the big picture. Be sure to step back a bit and examine the why the activity you participated in might be so important to members of the opposite sex.

Requirements:

• BEFORE Wed. 3.18:
• Spend at least one hour engaged in the activity of your choice 

• ON OR BEFORE Wed. 3.18:
• Supply me with some form of evidence of the activity (e.g receipt, ticket stub, photos). Attach (or email) this to your essay, please. 

In-class essay: Wed 3.18

Week 8

"A gentleman is simply a patient wolf."

—Lana Turner

Week 8: Mo 3.9/We 3.11

Read: DELUSION—“Gender Equality Begins (or Ends) at Home” – “The ‘Fetal Fork’”

Class: Quickwrite; Reading discussion; presentations 

Due: EDITORIAL ESSAY (FINAL DRAFT; ATTACH DRAFT 1 TO BACK)

Upcoming:

Week 9: Mo 3.16/We 3.18

Read: DELUSION—“In ‘the Darkness of the Womb’ (and the First Few Hours in the Light)” – “Brain Scams”

Class: PROCESS; Quickwrite; Reading discussion; Presentations

Due: REFLECTION 4

Gender in the News 3.3.15

• Conan O'Brien trolls Grindr with help from Billy Eichner (Vuture)
• DC Comics' Catwoman is officially bisexual (CNN)
• Delhi man convicted of brutal rape and murder claims his victim fighting back was to blame for her death (Daily Telegraph)
• Cindy Crawford threatens legal action for anyone posting "doctored" photo of her in a swimsuit (TMZ)
• California officials crack down on Chinese "maternity tourism" (Yahoo! News)
• New York Times: More US companies are run by men named John than by woman (Slate)

Week 7

She might've considered kissing him, even after the horrible first

date, but he just didn't seem to know what to do. However, Jeremy
does have one outstanding quality. He likes her. And this quality in
a person makes them infinitely interesting to the person being liked.

—Steve Martin, Shopgirl

 

Week 7: Mo 3.02/We 3.04

Read: DELUSION—“We Think, Therefore You Are” – “XX-clusion and XXX-clusion”

Class: Quickwrite; Reading discussion; Writing workshop; Presentations

Due: EDITORIAL ESSAY (DRAFT 1; BRING 2 COPIES)

Upcoming:

Week 8: Mo 3.9/We 3.11
Read: DELUSION—“Gender Equality Begins (or Ends) at Home” – “The ‘Fetal Fork’”
Class: PROCESS; Quickwrite; Reading discussion; presentations Due: EDITORIAL ESSAY (FINAL DRAFT; ATTACH DRAFT 1 TO BACK)