Assignments & Due Dates

Due Date

Assignment

Bring in questions for the speaker that will be in class today.

Film Series Paper:

Paper topic will be handed out before the showing of each movie. If you cannot attend the film, either pick up a copy of the assignment during office hours or e-mail me and I will send an attachment of the assignment.

Journal Due

Students are required to keep a journal throughout the semester based on everything that is addressed in the class (texts, movies, speakers, discussion, etc.). Please write about at least one of the texts per class (1-2 pages). Do not summarize the readings; Analyze and comment on the content of the piece and write down any questions (either direct or abstract) that you have after having done the reading. Also, whenever we watch a film in class or we have a speaker, please write 1-2 pages about that (again, do not summarize). Students do not need to write about movies from the mini-film series, unless an unscheduled film is shown (in which case there will be no assignment offered). While this journal will be handed in and graded, it is reflect on the topics raised in the course so please write about what is found to be personally interesting and striking about he piece. Also, I encourage students to use their journal for further reflection on any aspects of GenderQueer identity that they experience outside of the class (this includes witnessing a transphobic event, seeing a program that addresses a GenderQueer issue, attending lectures on the topic of Gender, attending a lecture on the topic of Gender, viewing portrayals of GenderQueer identity in the media [both independent and mainstream], etc.)

Final Project Due

For the final project, students have a choice between two projects, however if a student has an idea that they are passionate about, they should and in a typed proposal to the instructor no later than April 13th. If the proposed assignment is relevant to the course and is the appropriate amount of work for the final project, permission may be granted for the student to complete an assignment that they designed on their own. Students who do not wish to devise their own final project must choose to do one of the following two choices:

• Since not everyone has the opportunity to take a class on GenderQueer identities and culture, design a website that would introduce the topic to the average person who has no previous knowledge on the topic but has a basic knowledge of the constructs of gender. The site should go in depth about at least 3 of the topics that we discussed during class (Transphobia, Reassignment Surgery, Activism, Coming Out, etc.) Make sure you include citations for the works that you reference for the website. Also, include sources that the viewer may look into for further information (books, articles, websites, etc.).
• Make an activist handbook based on what you have learned and what you are now prepared to do to become an activist for the GenderQueer community. Make a list of organizations (local, national and international) that focus their activist work on gaining rights for the GenderQueer community. Focus on one particular individual who was active in the GenderQueer (or LGBT rights) movement and provide a brief (1-2 page) bio about that individual. Also, list a few examples of either institutional, legal or mainstream Transphobia that you have either learned about during the course or have witnessed in your life. Write an action plan about how you would go about addressing those events and carry out two of your proposed ideas. For example, if you have read some transphobic legislation, you may propose to write to the legislator who works in the location where the law is in effect. Include the letter that you wrote (and the reply if you receive one).

(These assignments will be further developed and you will receive a handout in class by the beginning of April).