antonia2

"One is not born, but rather becomes a woman."
--Simone de Beauvoir

Home Page
Class Schedule
bredin home

Renae Bredin, Valerie O'Krent, Jaqueline Lauder
H 212C, 2261
Office Hours: XXX
vokrent@fullerton.edu
hss.fullerton.edu/womens/bredin

Resources

fyi web sites
National Women’s Law Center
AARP
Gray Panthers
Older Women’s League
National Council Research on Women National Center on Women and Aging

movie reviews

All About Eve
An Unfinished Woman
Being Julia
Bridges of Madison County
Cocoon
Dangerous Liaisons
Diary of a Mad Housewife
Driving Miss Daisy
Fried Green Tomatoes
Fried Green Tomatoes
Fried Green Tomatoes
Grumpy Old Men
Harold and Maude
Harold and Maude
Harry and Tonto
How to Make an American Quilt
I Heart Huckabees
In Good Company
Lost in Translation
Malena
Malena
Mrs. Brown
My Favorite Year
Nobody’s Fool
Prime
Raging Bull
Shirley Valentine
Something’s Gotta Give
Steel Magnolias
Sunset Boulevard
The Graduate
The Human Stain
The Mother
The Notebook
The Notebook
The Notebook
Turning Point
Used People
Waking Ned Devine
What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?
Wrestling Ernest Hemingway
Y tu mama tambien
Y tu mama tambien

site management: renae bredin
Updated: 8/21/06

WMST 410: Women, Health, and Aging
Fall 2006

Course Description

We believe "aging" is a feminist issue and that this is demonstrated by images of aging and women in the media, by policy and system issues which we will explore and discuss, and that by informing ourselves and each other we can assert our voices and advocate in ways that make a difference personally and beyond. Health is holistic and that will be our approach.

Required Books

Aging: Concepts and Controversies, 5th Edition, Moody
The Invisible Heart: Economics and Family Values, Folbre
Readings on reserve in Library noted as (R.R.) in syllabus

Course Requirements

  • 1 page movie review
  • health issue in class presentation
  • Reflection paper on “One True Thing”
  • Participation
  • Graduate Credit: Media Portfolio

One Page Movie Review

Using movie reviews from the New York Times as a model, analyze a movie from the list on the left, incorporating persepectives on gender and representation. Do not write a plot summary. Your judgements regarding the quality of the movie should be discussed using evidence from the film. One page, single spaced, 12 point font, saved as an HTML document in Microsoft Word, submit via email to Dr. Bredin at rbredin@fullerton.edu. Use standard, literate English.

10 Minute Health Issue In-Class Presentation

You will need to identify a health issue that currently affects women. As discussed in class, a health issue may be beyond a physical manifestation of a disease. Explore the issue in relation to women and aging. Specify the underlying debate of this health issue in relation to the larger consequences that impact women. These underlying issues should reflect in part discussions and readings in class regarding care, policy, relationships, the authentic self, Antonia’s Line and any relevant issue explored. You will make a 10 minute presentation to the class and demonstrate your understanding of the health issue and how women and aging are impacted by their overall position in society. Your paper will be due in class on 10/31/06. The paper will be 3 pages minimum, double spaced, 12 font as well as a reference page. Your health issue should be approved by Jacque Lauder before you begin.

Reflection Paper

"One True Thing" can be a difficult film but strong portrayals provide us some intense observational opportunities. The purpose of your Reflection piece is not to review either the film or the acting but to identify and discuss, using the lens of feminism, what issue or issues resonated for you. If possible, we will provide you some in-class time to make some notes immediately after viewing the film and while your impressions are fresh, but you will need to refine these and bring your prepared Reflection paper to the class meeting following our viewing of the film. We hope that you will also be prepared to discuss your reaction(s) to the film - again, using a gendered/feminist perspective. [Your discussion may be written in the "first person."]

Participation

Participation means contributing to the discussions in class, coming to class prepared (ready and thinking), and talking. This is a discussion-based course, and you will need to be here to keep up with the material. Your contributions to the class will also be critical to our success. See below for separate attendance policy.

Graduate Credit: Media Portfolio

Prepare a plan of action for a media campaign on an issue of importance to women in the aging process. Details for this assignment will also be handed out in class.

Develop a plan of action and a set of media materials as part of a public education campaign on one issue that is important to women in the aging process. Examples from class discussions of public policies and of cultural assumptions are good starting points for your issue.

You should include:

  • a written plan of action that details the issue (more than one page, less than 10 pages)
  • an explanation and analysis of why it is important to educate the public on this issue
  • your target demographic, and why this is your target
  • what particular media you will utilize and why this will be the most effective use
  • a preliminary budget
  • a chronology of events
  • mock-ups of your campaign

Examples of media materials:

  • Television commercials
  • Brochures
  • Public lectures
  • Radio ads
  • News media guest appearances
  • Billboards
  • Websites
  • Give away items
There are many more possibilities. Use your imagination. Written materials should be typed, 12 point font, double spaced. Hand in all documents together in a portfolio.

Grading

This class will not use plus/minus grading.

Attendance Policy

Because part of your grade is based on participation, you must attend class. Lack of attendance will have a negative impact on your participation grade.

Classroom Expectations

The following list covers expectations for in-class behavior:
  • Turn off all cell phones and beepers [you'll be asked to leave if your phone rings]
  • Arrive on time
  • Do not leave during class except for emergencies
  • Be prepared with all readings
  • All work must be your own. Plagarism will result in a failing grade on the assignment.

Learning Goals and Outcomes

  • Developing critical analysis skills
  • understand key terms and concepts in feminist thinking about the social construction of sexuality
  • recognize and evaluate how one’s cultural history affects one’s sense of self and will employ historical analysis to situate sexual controversies in context
  • understand a range of diverse positions on selected issues and controversies, identifying key assumptions and use of evidence
  • develop and defend arguments and interpretations of primary documents
  • understand different cultural approaches to and conceptions of sexuality
  • employ research skills in order to use scholarly practices to illuminate public debate