Author: Soniya Munshi

How to POST and COMMENT + other instructions

HOW TO POST: Here are step-by-step instructions to create a post. 
    • You can write your post by going to the plus sign at the top of the site > type a title* and type the body of your post > choose the category “Discussion Board  __” with the corresponding number for the Discussion Board on the right on the right > publish.

*Please use the title format “[FirstName] [LastName] DB __” (insert corresponding discussion number)

HOW TO COMMENT: Here are step by step instructions to write a comment. 
    • Submit your comment on the post of a classmate by selecting the title of the post > scroll down to where you leave a reply > type the comment > post comment.
Instructions– from pages 3-4 on the syllabus:

The Discussion Board is our primary way to interact with each other as a class. Every week, you will be responsible to create a new post on our class discussion board as well as to comment on at least one of your classmates’ posts. 

I will post prompts with guidelines to get you started. The prompts for your posts will be about the course materials and/or your projects. The posts are an opportunity for you to openly share your thoughts and questions about the course topics and materials. If there are specific ideas or questions that you want to discuss, beyond the prompt, you can include them in your post. Your comments on posts should engage the author’s writing, your response/reflection, connection, or questions. 

We will have a lot of discussion in this class. It is okay for us to disagree with one another and have questions for one another. It’s important that we are mindful of how we communicate and do our best to show one another kindness, compassion, and respect.

All discussion board writing — your post and your comments– is informal writing. You can write in the tone and voice you would use if you were in conversation with us in person. However, all posts and comments should meet the following criteria: 

  • Your original post should be between 400-600 words (and can be longer), and your comments should be 3-4 complete sentences at MINIMUM. 
  • Your original post should engage with and cite readings or other course materials to respond to all the questions posed in the prompt. 
  • Your post and comments should be made up of complete, well-formed sentences.
  • Your writing should be carefully proofread. 

 

 

Your post is worth 3 points and the comment is worth 1 point, for a total of 4 possible points per week. If you complete your post and comment as per the instructions above, and submit it on time, you will receive full credit. If you are having trouble with the schedule, please contact me about making adjustments. 

 

Discussion Board Prompt #2

Please respond to at least 2 of the 4 sets of questions below. You can write  separate posts or 1 long post– combined, the post should be 400-600 words (and can be longer). Your post should address all of the questions listed.

  • What is feminist praxis, according to the text? What makes it “feminist?” What is your definition of feminism? How would you explain feminism to someone who had not heard this term before?
  • Write about an example of feminist praxis– from the text, the Audre Lorde Project (above) or your own life– and discuss it. What is the role of theory, research, and action in this example? What do you find interesting or compelling about this example?
  • What do the authors say about backlash? What are some examples of backlash against feminism that you have seen or experienced? What do you think drives the backlash in these examples and what are some ways to respond to it?
  • Lorde writes about transforming silence into action. Select 1-2 quotes that you think capture her main ideas  reflect upon what she is communicating to the reader. What is your response to Lorde? She also asks us: “What are the words you do not yet have? What do you need to say?” How would you respond to her? Do you agree that language is needed for action?
    • *Use the title format “[FirstName] [LastName] DB 2” 
    • Category for this post: Discussion Board 2

Discussion Board Prompt #1

Please introduce yourself to the class. Your introduction can include whatever you would like to share about your background, experience, and interest in Gender and Women’s Studies, burning questions you would like to explore this semester, concerns you have about the course — and anything else that you would like us to know. Feel free to add video, photo, audio, or any other media that helps you to introduce yourself to us!

 

 

Module 1: Introductions

Learning Goals

Welcome to Week 1 of our Capstone! This week, our goal is to get oriented to the course– including expectations, materials, and other basics–  and to begin to get to know one another.  We will:

  • Become familiar with the course syllabus + course schedule
  • Introduce ourselves to one another
  • Begin to think about the course project + review at least one example of “feminist praxis”
Watch + Read
Praxis Model: INCITE!
  • Every week, we will take a close look at an example of feminist praxis, a term that we will learn more about next week.
  • This week, we will look at INCITE! Women, Trans, and Gender Non-Conforming People of Color, which has been one of my feminist homes. INCITE! was founded in 2000 by women of color to make connections between violence that women and gender non-conforming people  face in relationships (e.g. domestic violence, sexual assault) and violence that we face at the hands of the state (e.g. law enforcement, ICE). INCITE! was where I first learned about abolition, or ways to fight for gender justice that don’t rely on police and prisons as the solution.
  • Check out the site and especially their Analysis, Stop Law Enforcement Violence Toolkit  and the Art and Media page.
  • As you look at the site, consider the following:
    • What issues are important to INCITE! ?
    • What are the ideas (theory + analysis) that inform their work?
    • What strategies do they use to make their intervention?  What are the goals of their action?
    • What catches your interest, what do you find compelling, what do you want to know more about?
Post and Comment on Discussion Board #1
  • Please introduce yourself to the class. Your introduction can include whatever you would like to share about your background, experience, and interest in Gender and Women’s Studies, burning questions you would like to explore this semester, concerns you have about the course — and anything else that you would like us to know.  Feel free to add video, photo, audio, or any other media that helps you to introduce yourself to us!
  • COMMENT on your colleague’s post. In your comment, you can share an appreciation, a connection, or a question in response to what the author wrote.
  • REMINDER>> HOW TO POST and HOW TO COMMENT (this is also on page 4 of the syllabus):
    • You can write your post by going to the plus sign at the top of the site > type a title* and type the body of your post > choose the category “Discussion Board  1″  > publish.
    • *Please use the title format “[FirstName] [LastName] DB 1” 
    • Submit your comment on the post of a classmate by selecting the title of the post > scroll down to where you leave a reply > type the comment > post comment.
    • Remember to review the Discussion Board instructions on page 3 of the syllabus — your original post should be  400-600 words (and can be longer), and your comments should be 3-4 complete sentences at MINIMUM.
Complete the E-Learning Orientation
  • The link is here and on the course Blackboard site.
Work on Final Project
  • Begin to think about your final project–read the assignment instructions and browse examples on the Praxis Model page, all available on the Final Project page of the course site.
  • Due soon: the  Three Idea proposal is due on Tuesday, 9/15.

Welcome! + Join this site

Welcome to the Gender and Women’s Studies Capstone!

If you are a student in this class, please join this site:

1. Sign up for an OpenLab account with your BMCC email address– it’s a quick and easy process! Here are the instructions.

2. Go to our course site here: https://openlab.bmcc.cuny.edu/groups/gws-capstone-fall-2020/ 

3. Click on “Request Membership” under the photo.

That’s all! You’re now a member of the class, which means you will be able to view all the course materials and post and comment on the site. 

If you have any trouble with any of these steps, you can email the Open Lab at openlab@bmcc.cuny.edu  and/or email me (Professor Soniya Munshi) at smunshi@bmcc.cuny.edu