Please answer all three of these questions. Please be as honest as possible, while also being respectful of class members.
I have always felt that in order to effectively communicate with others, you must take time to learn about different identities, culture, race, religion, etc. I believe it is extremely important to have an open mind when it comes to beliefs and values that differ from your own. I knew this class will further expand my knowledge regarding different identities, which is why I was interested in taking it. I am someone who enjoys to travel and learn about different cultures, therefore it is vital for me to be aware of different identities. I also work with the autism population, so to better assist those in need I must expand my knowledge with different identities.
Although I was aware of the many different identities, I did get a deeper understanding of the different genders and sexualities. I was not aware that some people considered their sexuality to be intersex, asexual, or allied. I do have friends in the LGBTQIA community, and support the community as a whole, however to fully support a community I need to know all it is that I can know about it. Expanding my knowledge about this community can help me further promote equality.
Before taking this class, I was aware that women are not treated equally as men. However, one thing that really stood out to me this semester was the lack of gender-neutral language. I was aware of some feminist write “womyn” instead of “women.” Also, as I mentioned in one of my discussions, I have attended a lecture where the speaker would say “chairwomen” instead of “chairmen.” Language does promote the invisibility of women. Therefore, moving forward I will be more conscious with the words I choose to help promote equality for women.
One of my favorite things regarding this class’s format was being able to read everyone’s personal stories, views, and opinion. It helps me keep an open mind regarding certain topics and see how different others personal journey’s are. The Institutional Artifact project was extremely helpful in learning how the different genders are perceived. I never really paid attention to how gender roles are presented in TV shows and movies. Moving forward, I will look for how gender roles are displayed in TV shows, movies, and certain institutions.
When I first began this class, I knew that we would be talking about gender and how opposite sexes communicate and deal with one another in everyday life. But I did not know the depths of the definition of gender. I have learned that gender is not just the sex that was assigned to us at birth, but it is how we behave. Our background, culture, beliefs etc. All those things and more make us who we are today, I have a better understanding on social constructions and the limits society tries to place us in. Gender plays a huge role in almost everything we do in our lives. Also being in this class I did not expect for us to have many open discussions as we did. I truly enjoyed the transparency of everyone’s story’s and experiences including opinions. It helped me open up and talk about my life, as time went on, I realized the discussions and topics we focused on shed light on things I never really thought about or investigated detail.
What I took away from this course, was paying attention to the treatment of others due to their appearance, gender, background etc. Not to always assume that a person is a specific way just because of how they look or maybe even behave. Take time to get to know that person, we may be surprise when they turn out to be the opposite of what we thought. In my everyday life I will now apply more of what I learned in what I see. Gender is political as well and we must deal with equality, resources and opportunities. I refuse to be discriminated or declined due to my gender identity, I have a better understanding on how we can expose the negatives of the many issues that occur in the workforce, homes, and communities.
The format of this class was unique. I was so used to using blackboard in most of my classes but using BMCC’S open lab was very organized. Professor Waychoff clearly explained each assignment and was helpful in her comments when I needed help. Personally, for me I am a visual learner, so the videos and diagrams we watched and learned about was extremely helpful. It kept me interested, not only did the videos help me but the writing as well. I knew this class was writing intensive but it hit me when we really got to writing , I said to myself “ wow this is a lot of writing” but as I continued to write through out the weeks , the terms we learned and history stuck with me. The information that I now have installed in me will help me in life and remind me of the importance of gender communication and identity.
My perspective has changed. When we first started the course I didn’t realize how much we were going to communicate through our discussions. I have taken online classes before that had discussions but never like this. The discussions allowed for everyone to express their opinions and read others as well to see a different opinion/perspective. What I loved the most is learning more about microaggressions and privilege. Microaggressions because at least I personally didn’t realize how much this happens. Privilege was very interesting because I got to go more into depth. Privilege didn’t only have to do with race privilege but the privilege of not being judged or called names based on my sexuality or my gender preference. The reading opened up my mindset and see things differently.
2. What will you take away fro the course?
Everything in this course has been crucial and Important. What I would take with me are the discussions. Like I mentioned before it is very helpful to see and be able to give opinions on other discussions. The discussions are a great space for us to grow, although we are all reading the same things I realized that sometimes my classmates mentioned thing I completely ignored. Reading the feedback of classmates on how to improve was great.
3. How did the format of the class affect your learning and your motivation?
The class format was great and I wouldn’t change anything about it. The reading journals allowed us to express ourselves based on the reading/videos provided which were very helpful because we all see things differently. The discussions were also great because unlike the journals we were able to share with classmates and read their thoughts on those reading. The assignments were challenging and fun. The professor was very helpful and understanding. Overall I want to thank the professor and classmates for a great semester.
My perspective has changed because of the assignments that I completed in Open lab, these homeworks were nothing like others I had been assigned in the past, at first, I was scared of these works but now I feel confident to do them. They unfolded my critical thinking about myself and took me out of my comfort zone. I definitely needed this class to identify myself and needs because I was lost. Once I started putting my whole self into those assignments, I was able to identify my gender and who I am. I wanted to do more and more I wished this class was a little longer. The professor and my peers who always commented on my posts made me want to learn more about myself, others and my future.
I began investigating gender identity options, even ones that are slightly outside of my gender area. I started taking steps toward answering all of questions about who I am. I stopped ignoring what others think and say about me. After this class of empowerment, heartening, and learning ways to excel myself I could not feel more ready to take on the next chapter of my life.
One of the assignments required dip into more about my gender identity that was discussion 2. This project was to create a visual image of my identity and made a list my personal, enacted, relational, and communal identity. This task was really helpful, because it gave me a whole new perspective on how to cross the next phase in my life, teach me things I didn’t even know about and how my childhood has a big impact in my identity right now. After doing this assignment, I couldn’t wait the discovery of myself with my family, friends and classmates.
The biggest takeaway from this course is that I can create use Open Lab, that is a thing I never done before, turn in assignments online, communicate, and so much more in one place. I am also very thrilled to have this tool to include into the hybrid learning setting, I wish more teachers that I am going to have are going to use it as well in the future.
the format of the class affects my learning and my motivation in the way that the professor always gives me frequent, early, positive feedback that supports my beliefs that I can do well. The tasks weren’t too easy nor too difficult, but they made me confident I that I can succeed at anything in college. The learning atmosphere of the class was safe, open and positive.
College is a place for expanding your mind and find yourself and this class definitely did most of the work. Thank you to some of my classmates for making my experience so amazing, but I would especially like to thank the professor for having such a wonderful impact on my life.
Taking this class gave me an opportunity to understand gender, sex, sexuality, masculinity, femininity and it’s affects on society. I was able to not only to see how they applied in my life but it also changed the way I view the world. Two concepts that left me puzzled and astonished is gender and microaggressions. Learning about gender helped me find my own hidden experiences, I was able to take them apart and become aware of how privileged I was to grow up with no two separate images and ideals of men and women. I was told about these injustices but somehow it didn’t click into my head. Learning these concepts helped me discern the following experience; I am currently giving free online courses to help people start their businesses from home so they could provide for their families. I had a one on one with a middle aged Mexican woman who told me her gendered experience, she asked me if I could direct her towards empowering books. It was like I was slapped in the face, my heart sank , and I felt like crying, it was a moment of confusion not because I didn’t understand but because thanks to this course I understood so much, but I didn’t know what to do. What could have I possibly told her if I never experienced such oppression because of my gender? Her strength to keep on going and courage to tell me this is unbelievable. The course readings additionally helped me understand the LGBTQ+ community and my own privilege as a heterosexual female. I have developed a better understanding of what a safe space is and why it is needed. I feel I am better equipped to educate people who make inappropriate comments about the LGBTQ+ community. Microaggressions were also something I was not aware of. I didn’t know what to respond or what intentions people had when they made inappropriate comments about my background. Becoming aware of this can help me identify the institutionalized discrimination, racism and prejudice. The format of this class allowed me to explore my thoughts and be more open because I am “hiding” behind a device. I feel I am more comfortable talking about these topics.
How has your perspective changed since the beginning of the class?
What will you take away from this course?
How did the format of this class affect your learning and your motivation?
Stay safe everybody! ?
How has your perspective changed since I started the class?
Since the beginning of the class, I have learned new concepts and had different perspectives on people in society. Indeed, I can now clearly see how each institution affects people’s lives through interaction with different people in the community. Places of work, schools, religious institutions, and social media platforms contain similar characteristics and adhere to a given set of rules and guidelines. For young people, education institutions are crucial in shaping the futures and training them to adapt to society. How people are socialized changes as people interact with people from social institutions. My perspective on how feminism is expressed in various social institutions has changed since I have realized that feminism has radicalized the manner sexual harassment cases are handled. Before, I thought that feminism only empowered women, but feminism is responsible for the introduction of policies that protect both men and women from sexual harassment. The importance of respecting people’s gender was also emphasized in feminist studies. In the world, some people identify themselves as transgender, meaning they don’t identify themselves with any gender. These people go through a lot of hardship in the community since people do not accept them as members of society. My perspective on them has changed since I can relate to transgender people freely without fear of discrimination. Relating to people in society is important since it creates social bonds and structures that promote gender equality.
What will you take from the course?
Sincerely, the course has educated me on many things concerning gender studies. One of the most important aspects that I have learned is to respect different social institutions in society since they play essential roles in shaping the community. Religious institutions play a crucial role in maintaining spirituality in society, while schools educate young minds to bring out their best. Without each social institution playing its function, there will be an imbalance leading to chaos. Notably, I have understood how various artifacts play different roles in society. Items such as films, books, and articles are essential tools in promoting equality in gender. Unlike movies and books, artifacts have different messages on how people perceive gender; hence the artifacts act as symbols or representations of how people understand sex and gender. Indeed, I have realized how respecting one’s gender promotes peace and unity within the society. Transgender people are occasionally bullied or attacked by people because of their sexuality and beliefs. I have learned to respect and treat everyone equally since gender and women studies emphasize that everyone is equal.
How did the format of the class affect your learning and your motivation?
Indeed, learning through this format is a new experience since I am used to lectures in lecture halls. However, I have had enough time to revise each bit of the syllabus; hence I have had a deeper understanding of women and gender studies. It has profoundly affected my daily schedule since I have to spend most of my day reading and understanding the topics. Lectures are easy to understand since the lecturer explains the concepts easily. The learning format has affected my learning motivation since I am not with people. I can discuss different ideas on gender studies. Notably, long hours of reading have been a problem since I have to make time for house chores and other activities. Generally, the experience was robust, but I was able to make massive progress in understanding different ideas in women and gender studies. I also enjoyed the freedom of learning on my own and controlling my timetable.
How has your perspective changed since the beginning of the class?
What will you take away from the course?
How did the format of the class affect your learning and your motivation?
How has your perspective changed since the beginning of the class? It hasn’t. The readings were interesting and better defined and helped me to understand terms that I have come across more and more lately, such as cisgender, intersectionality, queer, and so on and so forth.
What will you take away from the course? Through communication we can achieve so much. We must listen to each other as well as talk to each other and take each other into consideration. Only then will it be possible to make the changes we need.
How did the format of the class affect your learning and your motivation? Personally, I find that I enjoy a classroom setting over an online setting. If I have a question, its much easier in a classroom to get an immediate answer as opposed to online. I found that my motivation remained the same, though with the current state of affairs and having been quarantined, working from home initially allowed me the freedom to spend more time on schoolwork. Since the “city” has begun reopening and business has picked up, I found myself falling a bit behind.
1.How has your perspective changed since the beginning of the class?
Most definitively my perspective changed since the beginning of the class. I will say that I became more aware regarding the ways in which gender is created, maintained, and how it is changed through cultural expectations that is why is varies with different culturesand interaction. This plays a huge part in the way we all communicate because we all participate in helping creating norms, and expectations. Not only that ,but I also learned about how the expectations create in society are very limited and it exclude some people that identify differently. Moreover, I learned how society has create social assumptions/ stereotypes that has dehumanize and devalue women opinions and other minority groups
My biggest take away from this class will definitively be the information learned from pears and all the readings. I will leave this class understanding that gender and communication are a programming that starts evolving from when you a kid until you die; It is installed in your brain. We all learn how to identify ourselves and others by how others communicate with us. I understand that it is a programming that can be change and educate and that the world can change for the best. The world is not just men and women; it is men, women’s and other. As the future generation, I know that we can change stereotypes, and the way we create gender all for a better world.
3.How did the format of the class affect your learning and your motivation?
The format of the class was great sometimes it can get difficult, but the professor seems to be very considerable. It really keept me motivated with the readings and the comments from my pears. Thank you, professor, for this wonderful experience.
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