Harassment in the workplace

We won’t be discussing workplace issues for a few weeks yet but ran across this article in The Star: it makes some perhaps surprising claims about sexual harassment in the workplace and who are most often targeted. The full article is here (Winter 2007 issue; p. 46).

First group project: Current trends in violence against women

A speaker from Hestia House will be on campus this coming Thursday evening (Jan. 25/07) from 5-7pm in the Whitebone Lounge. She will be discussing domestic violence in our community in an effort to raise awareness. All are welcome: please come and support your classmates, and please bring a friend.

The eagle has landed

The books have arrived in the bookstore: two texts packaged together, and not an omnibus text as I had expected. Get ‘em while they’re hot!

Today’s readings

Thought the book would be in before now but it wasn’t there when I checked yesterday. My scanner is kaput so I was unable to get the readings scanned yesterday; they are now posted on WebCT. If you don’t get to them before class, they are there to read later.

Clarification

Yes, you’re correct; the readings aren’t available (problems scanning them, too boring to relate). So, we will go over the readings fairly closely tomorrow in class.

This week’s readings

Apparently the book will be in the bookstore soon, but not in time for this coming week. I am trying to upload PDF files but am unable to right now due to various glitches; I will try tomorrow (Monday). I realise that this doesn’t leave you a lot of time, so we will go over the readings fairly closely on Tuesday.

Campus project

There are four parts to this assignment:

---

I. Plan/RationaleLength: 5-8 pages
Due: Feb. 6/07
Worth: 15/30%Form groups of between 3 and 5. Develop an idea for a project, using the suggestions later in this document to get started.

Possible sections:

A. Purpose of the project: (e.g. “To educate the campus community about date rape.”)

B. Rationale:
i) why is this project suitable for the UNBSJ community? (e.g. “AIDS awareness is important to this campus because young heterosexual women are the quickest growing group of those infected, yet many people still think of it as a gay men’s problem only.”)
ii) why does this project take this particular form? (e.g. why show a film, instead of any other possibility?)

C. Importance of project: a more general explanation of why the issues addressed by your project are important (“Domestic violence is an important issue because according to Stats Canada one in four women suffer some form of abuse by their partners.”

D. Existing situation: needs assessment; resources already available; synopsis of what has already been done in this area locally or on campus, and by whom.

E. Plan of action, including:
i) people who need to be approached, if any (campus administration; people working in the area)
ii) resources needed and expected source of those resources
iii) division of labour
iv) timeline
v) work already done (It is important to contact outside organizations as soon as possible. Those links should be in place before you finalize your plan.)

F. Feasibility: demonstrate that your plan is appropriate for the timeframe and available resources; list any potential problems and possible solutions.

G. Expected outcome (e.g. “We plan to distribute 500 pamphlets/sign up 20 volunteers/raise $200 for Hestia House” etc.).

Plans will be evaluated on:

i) clarity of purpose
ii) organization
iii) fulfilment of terms of the assignment
iv) appropriate use of outside resources
v) presentation
vi) quality and correctness of writing

---

II. Revised planDue: Feb. 20/07
Worth: 5/30Resubmit your plan, with revisions as suggested by the instructor. Highlight the revisions, and hand in the original.

Revised plans will be evaluated on:

i) the same criteria as the original plans, as well as
ii) how well they address any criticisms

---

III. ImplementationTimeline: Before the end of March
Worth: 5/30NB: All students are expected to participate in/support all the other projects.

Implementation will be evaluated on:

i) whether it fulfils the stated purpose of the proposal
ii) how closely, and successfully, it adheres to plan
iii) whether or not the group adjusted the plan to accommodate suggestions (if applicable)
iv) how well the group works together

---

IV. EvaluationLength: 2-4 pages
Due: Two weeks after the project is implemented.
Worth: 5/30Group evaluation: reach a consensus about the project: was it a success? how are you defining “success”? did you achieve your goals? what would you have done differently? did all members contribute equally?

Each group will present a synopsis of their evaluation during the final class, and there will be opportunity for discussion.

Evaluations will be evaluated on:

i) clarity and focus
ii) organization
iii) how closely they refer to the revised plan
iv) presentation
v) quality and correctness of writing

---

Some ideas:

• Decide on an issue (health; social; political) and find a way to educate the campus community on that issue (e.g. a speaker; an information table; a show on campus radio).
• Approach a community organization and work with them to introduce their issue(s) to the campus community.
• Mount a short campaign/plan an event to raise funds/awareness for an appropriate organization or charity.
• Check out available films at WCL or elsewhere and have a screening. Consider inviting a speaker to introduce the film.
• Mount a website (as an educational resource; as part of a campaign; &c.)
• Plan a campus event for March 8, International Women’s Day (if more than one group decides to do this, be sure to coordinate. And — very important — coordinate with the Women’s Resource Centre on campus). You will probably want to do your event either the week before or the week after March break.
• Work on an issue or event with the campus Women’s Resource Centre.
• Other ideas: Please talk to me before you do a lot of work (ideally, two weeks before the plan is due).