| Description |
This study group ran in spring '07, but will be offered for a 1.5 hour time slot in fall '07 (and, if interest prevails, into spring '08). We will dabble in more activity depth & diversity--possibly including film/documentaries, script, speaker panels, video interviews, "girlosophy", more "herstory" chats, and hopefully many "etceteras" of group interest!
So, here it (pretty much) was for spr '07 and (pretty much) will be for fall '07...
Abigail Adams once wrote,“Please remember the ladies", and this study group will do just that! We will explore women, and girl/women issues of past and present through activities, discussion, and the arts: puppetry, music (lyric) analysis, poetry, media reflections, current events, "girlosophy", herstories, notable quotables, writing, visual art, drama/role play and film.
Film possibilities are: Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Iron Jawed Angels, One Woman One Vote: American Experience, The Miracle Worker, The Rosa Parks Story, Standing on My Sister's Shoulders, Eleanor Roosevelt: An American Experience, A League of Their Own, Howard Zinn: You Can't Be Neutral on a Moving Train (w/interviews of Alice Walker and Marian Wright Edelmen), Jane Goodall's Chimpanzees (excerpts), Norma Rae, Discovery's Science of the Sexes, Places in the Heart, Real Women Have Curves, Legally Blonde, The Devil Wears Prada, and apropos excerpts of Shut Up and Sing, Silkwood, Mona Lisa Smile, or others of group interest).
We may analyze Pink’s “Stupid Girls” and “Dear Mt. President” or other songs by female artists/activists. We may reflect upon Emily Dickenson’s or Maya Angelou’s poetry and create an “I am From...” poem or collaborative rap. We may create a cardstock collage quilt, children's storybook, documentary, or mural representing women in science, math, politics, humanities/arts, etc. We may dabble in science fun, recite famous speeches or create bold originals. We may write letters to an editor, or create a blog!
We may decide to coordinate a community service effort (ie. Avon Breastcancer Walk, Northampton's Cocoa Walk/Run, or gather clothes/toys/etc. for women's shelters. If there's group interest, we may explore off--site places together, such as: The Orchard House, The Emily Dickenson Museum, The Harriet Beecher Stowe House, The Boston Women's Herritage Trail (or maybe even a road trip to The Women's Rights National Historical Park in Seneca Falls! Maybe a stretch?).
Lots of possible ideas/choices... all initiating with women!
Group interest will flexibly frame the direction of the course. Hopefully you will discover (or rediscover) many famous—and maybe not so-famous—heroines while exploring the evolving unsung heroine (or hero) in yourself! Boys welcome! |