develop a broader perspective of women and health by placing it within the context of literature, music, media and pop culture.
Attendance: Attendance will be taken at every class. The student must sign her/his name to an attendance sheet to verify her/his presence. Class participation is considered as part of the student’s grade. TARDINESS WILL HAVE AN ADVERSE EFFECT ON THE STUDENT’S GRADE. Grades: There will be one paper you have to present in class and that will be 20% of the final grade. There will be 3 essays assigned and that will be 30% of the final grade. There will be a research paper and that will be 35% of the final grade. Homework, class participation and attendance (including tardiness) will be 15% of the final grade. Required Text: Ourbodies, Ourselves: A New Edition for a New Era. The Boston Women’s Health Book Collective. 2005. Recommended Books: The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman.
A Handmaid’s Tale by Mgt. Atwood. Woman on the Edge of Time by Marge Piercy Handouts will be given out in class as needed and as part of the required reading. Papers: For the first paper the professor will divide the class into groups and assign each group a specific topic. The students will have 2 weeks to write the paper and then will get together with their group in class to discuss the material and then the group will present the material to the rest of the class.
For the research paper the students will be given a list of topics to choose from and this will be due the last day of class. The professor will give more details in class on the research paper. For the 3 essays the professor will hand them out in class and the student will have 2 weeks to complete them.
Page 2 HM 72: Women’s Health in the 21st Century TOPICS AND READINGS 8/31 Introduction to the course. Sexism in the Health system- past, present and future. Pages 67-81. 9/7 Our Beautiful Bodies, Minds and Souls (body image, self esteem, media and pop culture). Pages 3-18 and 82-95. 9/14 Nobody Has a Right To Your Body Without Your Permission: Power, Violence and Women. Pages 118-137. 9/21 Natural Woman: Puberty, Menstruation, Pregnancy and Menopause. Pages 227-260; 419-524 and 527-583. 9/28 Reproductive Rights. Pages 309-415. 10/5 Women in Health: Past and Present. Class Presentations. 10/12 NO SCHOOL 10/19 Religion, Government and Politics of Women’s Health. Pages 701-758. 10/26 Sexuality and Relationships. Pages 141-224; 261-306. 11/2 Stress Reduction 11/9 Healthy Living and Eating. Pages 19-44; 57-66; 96-117. 11/16 Addictions- alcohol and other drugs, food, sex, others. Pages 45-56.
Special Concerns for Women. Pages 658-698.
Assigned essays due. 11/23 NO SCHOOL 12/7 Taking Care of Our Breasts, Uteruses, and Ovaries. Pages 588-655. 12/14 Images of Women in Music, Art and the Media- positive and negative. 12/21 Last day of class. Research papers due.
