Don’t Cancel That Class!!

Want to provide some variety in your curricula?  Do you have a conference/conflict and need someone to teach your class?  The NC State Women’s Center and The Movement have a free, high-impact and integrative learning based solution!

The NC State Women’s Center and The Movementoffer a program called “Don’t Cancel that Class”.  The intent is to provide students with engaging diversity-related programming synonymous with our vision to create a community that is safe, equitable, and supportive for all.  This is an opportunity for you, the instructor, to provide high-quality discussions while you are away and an opportunity for us to engage students in the Chancellor’s Pathway to the Future Strategic Plan.

You may select from one of our existing programs or even suggest one of your own!  Depending on the scheduled class time, most programs involve a short, thought-provoking film and a full discussion afterwards.  Most films include stand-alone chapters so we can adapt programs to fit your scheduled class time.  Films and discussion questions are available to you beforehand and you may make curricular suggestions as you see fit.  Just ask; we will work with you and YOUR class needs!

How To Schedule

All you need to do is fill out our online request form, specifying your chosen topic and needed date.  If possible, please place your request at least 7 business days before you need a program.  We will accommodate shorter requests when we can.  All requests are reviewed by a Women’s Center staff member who will personally contact you within 5 business days.

Workshops Presented by the Women’s Center Professional Staff and Trained Student Facilitators

Generation M

Generation Mlooks specifically at misogyny and sexism in mainstream American media, exploring how negative definitions of femininity and hateful attitudes toward women get constructed and perpetuated at the heart of our popular culture.  Discussion Questions will focus on:

• Impact of gender attitudes on women and men
• Relationship between violence/perpetrations of violence and the media including print media, music, and video games
• Perceptions and impact of social movements such as the Feminist Movement and the Civil Rights Movement on culture

Not Just a Game:  Power, Politics, and American Sports

In Not Just a Game, Nation magazine sports editor Dave Zirin argues that American sports have long been at the center of some of the major political debates and struggles of our time. Zirin traces how American sports have glamorized militarism, racism, sexism, and homophobia, and then discusses rebel athletes who stood up to power and fought for social justice beyond the field of play.  Discussion Questions will focus on:

• Relationship between biologically-determined sex and socially-ascribed gender including a discussion about how genetics impacts how we understand “natural (sports) ability”
• How sports and expectations about participation in sports has changed as a result of Title IX of the 1972 Education Amendments
• How the media both reflects and ascribes prevailing attitudes about bodies

Yesterday

In the Oscar-nominated film, Yesterday, a South African villager learns that she is HIV positive. With her husband in denial and a young daughter to raise, Yesterday must cope with limited access to health care, stigma about HIV, and an uncertain future.  Discussion Questions will focus on:

• The “changing face” and feminization of HIV/AIDS
• “Health” as a social experience and health-related stigma
• International health as a human right

What a Girl Wants

While Killing Us Softly focuses on the impact of advertising on women, What a Girl Wants focuses on advertising’s impact on teen girls.  The movie discusses sexualization in particular and promotes critical thinking about the social construction of bodies.  Discussion Questions will focus on:

•  How “sex sells” to teens and others
• Teenage celebrities and their impact on young girls
• How what the media portrays about girls align with the hopes and dreams with the girls interviewed

Beyond Beats and Rhymes

This PBS-documentary explores constructions of race and gender in the hip-hop and rap industries.  The film discusses a timeline of hip-hop and critically examines the future of the genre.  Discussion questions will focus on:

• The importance of hip-hop culture to marginalized communities
• Social constructions of race and gender and how they are exemplified in music videos/other related medias
• Examples of non-oppressive music and a vision for equity through music

Killing us Softly

In this updated version of the popular film, Jean Kilborne articulates how the advertising industry “sells” destructive and unidimensional images of women.  Sexist advertising images that objectify women including those that promote eating disorders, and gender-based violence, are explored.  Discussion questions will focus on:

• Importance of commercials within media
• Hyper-commercialization and its impact on marginalized populations
• How gender equity can be promoted through media

Healthy Relationships 101

Can you believe that as many as 1 in 3 college couples are involved in at least one incident of violence during the course of their relationship? This interactive workshop is designed to get students thinking about what a healthy relationship looks like, and what may be potentially unhealthy or harmful in a relationship.

Suggested length: 50-120 minutes

Healthy Masculinities

This workshop examines the relationship between pop-cultural imagery and the social construction of masculine identities in the U.S.  In the documentary, “Tough Guise,” Jackson Katz argues that widespread violence in American society needs to be understood as part of an ongoing crisis in masculinity.

Suggested length: 60-120 minutes

Interpersonal Violence Prevention 101

Many of us know someone who has experienced sexual assault, abuse, stalking or harassment. Often, these occurrences will take place within the context of ongoing or former relationships, or we may be emotionally or physically hurt by an acquaintance. Learn more about interpersonal violence and become a part of its prevention.

Suggested length: 75-120 minutes

Sexual Violence 101

Did you know 526 NCSU women could experience a rape or attempted rape every academic year, and at least 90% of survivors know or are acquainted with the perpetrator? This interactive program will educate students about sexual violence, the motivation for rape, resources, and prevention. Participants are encouraged to think critically about our culture, and feel motivated to change it.

Suggested length: 50-120 minutes

Stalking 101

A national survey found that 13% of college women were stalked during one 6 to 9 month period, and of these 42% were stalked by a boyfriend or ex-boyfriend. Discover how stalking behaviors happen, and where we should draw the line from amorous to creepy. Students will come away from the program enlightened about the overwhelming prevalence and the implications of stalking in the media, portrayed in popular films, songs, and television shows.  This workshop will also educate students on what constitutes stalking, why it is harmful, and how to get help on campus.

Suggested length: 75-120 minutes

Survivors: How Can We Help?

A workshop designed specifically for your group.  This presentation will help you understand what a survivor of sexual assault/rape and dating violence may experience, how you can best support and empathize with them, and learn about campus and community resources.

Suggested length: 75- 90 minutes

Party Rock or Party Fail?

Using the PBS-documentary “Beyond Beats and Rhymes”, this workshop will engage participants in discussions around the construction of gender, sexuality, and race in the music industry. This workshop will also cover the connection between sexual violence and popular music of various genres such as hip-hop, country, rock, and pop.

Suggested length: 75- 120 minutes

How To Schedule

• Ready to schedule your workshop? Please fill out this online form.
• Do you want to request a workshop for a non-academic group? The Movement peer educators offer workshops to various audiences. You can request those workshops using this online form.