Final

In case you haven’t yet seen the schedule, the final exam for this class will be on Monday, April 16, 2007 at 7:00PM in WC31. As I said earlier, the format will be much the same as the mid-term (a mixture of types of questions; considerable choice) and you will be able to bring in one sheet of paper, 8 1/2 x 11 ”, written or printed on one side. I will schedule three hours but design it to be closer to two. You will have the extra time, though, if you need it.

We can talk more about it in the final class.

Exam grades

are posted on WebCT; we will go over the exam in class. Thank you for your patience.

There was a question from one of you after last class about the final, and I thought I would share it here: the question was about how much of the term work was to be covered on the exam: all, or just the second part. The specific questions will focus on the second part, though you will be expected to make connections with the course as a whole and when there is a choice of topics you are welcome to use material from the whole term unless it’s specified otherwise. So bottom line: focus on the second part of the term but don’t forget the course as a whole. The format will be similar to the mid-term: a mixture of short and long questions, with considerable choice.

Re. the last class: as you know I am making copies of The Laramie Project available for individual viewing, but that means that we will loose the possibility of having a group discussion of the film and related issues. I am happy to schedule a make-up class specifically for that purpose, if people are interested. Or, we could fold it in to the final class as you all will have had a chance to see the film by then. Let me know which option you would prefer.

Projects

Reminder: the group presenting on AIDS Awareness will have an invited speaker this Friday at 10am in the Whitebone Lounge. If at all possible please attend, and bring your friends (and could a member of the group contact me re. your A/V needs?).

The group working on  Transgender issues has released a pamphlet around campus (check the Women’s Resource Centre; they should have them) and has put together an informational website. Please visit and leave comments.

The second group working on Domestic Violence plans to put up posters next week, so keep an eye out. (The first group, as you know, had a guest speaker in January.)

The group (okay, the person) working on Date Rape will be putting out a pamphlet; further details to follow.

If I have left anyone or anything out, please let me know. I have been having some email problems and think I have missed some messages, so if you don’t hear from me in a timely fashion, send another message, speak to me, or post a comment to this blog.

Exam format

The exam is organised as follows:

A. There are some terms to match (choose one term from one column and match it to the most appropriate term from the other column. Choose ten from a possible fifteen). Worth 10%.

B. Definitions (choose ten from a possible fifteen) . Worth 40%.

C. Short essay questions (choose two from a possible three; each question itself allows considerable choice). Worth 50%.

Remember, you can bring in one sheet of paper, 8 1/2 x 11 “, written or printed on one side.

You will have the whole class period to write.

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.

Campus project

There are four parts to this assignment:

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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).