Category: Module 1: Introductions

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.