Soc 120 Writing Assignments

The purpose of writing assignments is to hone critical thinking skills and apply them to your learning of feminism.

Follow the directions for each specific writing assignment.
Write at least one double-spaced, typewritten page, with a minimum of 20 lines of text and a maximum of two pages.
Use 11 or 12-point font (no script or italic fonts) and one-inch margins.
Write each question # or the question as a heading before each answer (lines for questions not counted in the 20 lines).
Use your own words. Do not quote or copy from the text or the Internet.

No.	Due Date	Questions to Be Answered Use the questions as headings
1	Oct 3	Interview three people, using the questions below. As you record their responses, please do not censor them. "Do you believe there is equality between females and males today?" "What is your definition of a feminist?" "How did you come to know this definition of a feminist?" "What one word would you use to describe most feminists?" "Do you consider yourself a feminist? Why or why not?" Let the person know that you are taking Women's Studies. What is their reaction? Ask yourself the questions below. Write your responses. What reactions did you get from asking these questions? Were there connections between their responses and their reactions? Take your best guess: Are their definitions consistent with what you might learn in this class?
2	Oct 17	In the video, Mighty Times, racism was the central system of oppression, privilege and domination. Racism was both maintained and challenged by institutions, symbols (language, beliefs and ideologies) and by individuals. Give at least one specific example from the movie for each of the following questions. What institutions maintained racism? What institutions challenged racism? How did symbols (language, beliefs and ideologies) maintain racism? How did symbols (language, beliefs and ideologies)challenge racism? How did individuals maintain racism? How did individuals challenge racism? Previously you were asked to go to Project Implicit and take the race test and at least one other test. Write about what you learned from taking the tests with regard to unaware/unintentional racism and other isms. Demonstrate that you understand these concepts (unaware/unintentional racism and other isms) and can discuss them knowledgably in relation to the tests. Note: This assignment is not asking for your opinion of the test or whether you agree or disagree with your test results. Recognize that your result is not important -- what you learned is important.
3	Nov 14	Using at least five examples, explain how you are inside and outside the mythical norm. What privileges and opportunities do you receive for being inside the norm? Be specific, connecting each example with one of the ways you are in the norm. Give examples of what you lose from being outside the mythical norm. Be specific, connecting each example with one of the ways you are outside the norm. Note for 2 and 3: Be sure to give a total of at least 5 examples combined.