As you know, this semester you will be writing a 10-page paper about a gender-related topic. Choose one of the following topics below to write about:
Female Empowerment Songs
In 1964, Leslie Gore’s reminded men everywhere that “you don’t own me.” In 1978, Gloria Gaynor emerged from a break-up with the mantra: “I will survive.” In 1995, Alanis Morissette declared to her former lover that “every time I scratch my nails down someone else's back, I hope you feel it.” Female pop, rock, and now hip-hop, artists have a long tradition of using their medium as a platform for female empowerment. Sometimes subtly, sometimes aggressively, many women have publicly taken men to task through music. Trace the history of female-centered songs from the 1950’s through today. Identify and examine a minimum of four female empowerment songs from different decades. In doing so, consider the social environment in America during these times. What was the mood of the country at the times of these songs and were these songs a reaction to those times?
The History of Hair in America
Hair is often overlooked as a major indicator of cultural norms, but from Samson and Delilah to Repunzel to hippies, it has left its mark on many societies. Why have hairstyles made such a statement throughout American history? For example, what are some of the ways we have used hair to both oppress one another and declare individual freedom? Have the rules for hair been different for women than for men? And how have American attitudes toward hair mirrored those of the world and how have they been different? Examine the historical significance of hair in America.
The Impact of Title IX in Women's Sports
Reading: "No person in the U.S. shall, on the basis of sex be excluded from participation in, or denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving federal aid," Title IX has, among other things, revolutionized women’s roles in sports. But what was it like for female athletes prior to Title IX? How was Title IX brought to fruition? And what has been the impact of Title IX at the collegiate and professional levels of sports? Would the likes of the Williams Sisters, Abby Wambach, and Katie Ledecky have been possible without it? What challenges do female athletes still face, and how is Title IX threatened today? Examine the history and future of this landmark law.
Women and Comics Books
In 1999, comic book writer Gail Simone (Birds of Prey, Deadpool) created the website, Women in Refrigerators, after “it occurred to me that it's not that healthy to be a female character in comics … These are superheroines who have been either depowered, raped, or cut up and stuck in the refrigerator … Some have been revived, even improved—although the question remains as to why they were thrown in the wood chipper in the first place.” What Simone tapped into was the comic book industry’s traditionally misogynistic treatment of female characters. Even today comic books are criticized for their poor depictions of women, which are often overly-sexualized or overly-simplified. While comics are largely consumed by men, why must female characters in it fair so poorly? Also, what roles do women play in producing comics and have they taken a different approach to female characters than men? Analyze the portrayal of four major female characters in comic books to examine how they fair against their male counterparts.
Pornography in the Information Age
Pornography has existed, in one form or another, for most of human history. And societies have had varying ways of dealing with it, from a general acceptance of its existence (the Roman Empire) to outright prohibitions (Victorian England). But regardless of how societies have dealt with it, over time pornography has become increasingly more accessible. And it has never been more available than during the Information Age In fact, it is so readily available that it has even seeped into mainstream American culture. But how has this increased ease of access affected how Americans consume pornography? What are the societal effects when it can be so easily obtained? Is it a benign presence or does it pose problems? Study the dynamics pornography in the Information Age.
The Past and Future of Midwifery
For thousands of years, and through most of American history, midwives have been the primary source for delivering a child. But how did midwives go from at one time delivering the majority of babies in this country to just a small percentage today? What are some of the common misconceptions about midwives? How does the mainstream medical establishment regard midwifery today? Finally, what are the bigger implications of midwifery as it relates to women’s role in medicine? Examine the past and future of midwifery in America.
Women In (and Out) of the Kitchen:
In most cultures around the world, women have traditionally been the primary cooks in households. America is no exception. However, at around the mid-20th century, females' roles began to change. While American women today are still the primary cooks, their roles (and the expectations placed upon them) have changed dramatically. It is now substantially more acceptable for a contemporary American woman to not know the most basic of homemaking skills: how to cook. Fifty years ago, the idea of a wife or mother who did not cook for her family would’ve likely been met with scorn. Today, it's much more the norm. How did we reach this point? What cultural, technological, and economic forces have impacted the role of women as cooks?
The 21st-Century Man:
The last century saw a radical shift in America’s perceptions of what it meant to be a man. Some segments of American society argue that men don't know how to be men, anymore—even worse, men aren't allowed to be men, anymore. How are future concepts of masculinity being shaped today? For example, how will social movements, such as economic and gender equality, change what we expect of 21st century masculinity? Will a man in 2084 be recognizable to a man of 2016? Why or why not?
Requirements:
- Minimum 2,500 words (approximately 10 pages in length); include a word count at end
- MLA Style, including parenthetical citation
- Minimum of 6 outside sources—at least 3 from peer-reviewed academic texts—listed in a separate Works Cited page
- Illustrations are allowed, though they should be captioned
Schedule:
Week 13: We 11.16 - RESEARCH PAPER THESIS AND OUTLINE (BRING 2 COPIES)
Week 14: Mo 11.21 - RESEARCH PAPER (UP TO PG. 3; BRING 2 COPIES)
Week 15: We 11.30- REFLECTION 6; RESEARCH PAPER (UP TO PG. 6; BRING 1 COPY)
Week 16: We 12.7 - RESEARCH PAPER (UP TO PG. 9; BRING 1 COPY)
Week 17: We 12.14 - SEC. 3 ONLY - RESEARCH PAPER (FINAL DRAFT)
Week 18: Tu 12.20 - SEC. 1 ONLY - RESEARCH PAPER (FINAL DRAFT)
