Learning Centre 032.MOV

Yesterday, my post about Teaching Globalization, appeared on Equality 101. Check it out:
http://tinyurl.com/2vn9xne

Over the weekend on Equality 101, I posted a blog about teaching social justice. Here is the link: http://equality101.net/?p=1564#more-1564 I've been thinking about this ever since and I realize that I do think lots about what I am going to teach and how best to impart information to students.

I certainly hope that this comes across in my classes. Sometimes you just don't know--it could be two years later when a student emails and mentions how important a particular class was.

Check out www.equality101.net. There are lots of great posts about education, teaching, students, pedagogy and more on the blog.

It's that time of year when most college students are thinking about the next year's classes. This is a slow teaching time for most regular faculty (note this doesn't include the sessional instructors, who usually have to teach full-time in order to stay afloat). One of the things that we forget though, is that this time of year is very busy for advisors and others who help students figure out courses and other important matter that is important to student success.

This quick note is a reminder for patience. Patience for the frantic student who needs a little reassurance about classes. For instance, I am finding that I am fielding more emails where a student really wants advice. "Which classes should I take?" A few have actually said, I want to know your recommendations. This is a big responsibility for me. Typically the student who asks, has already taken a course with me. So, I need to think about his/her interests and weigh my knowledge of the department's courses. At first I would suggest all our courses, but now I am more careful. This is not based on content, but rather thinking more strategically about the student and her/his interests and possible grad school interests.

One common response from students is that they have heard that a colleague is a GPA buster. I always smile at this and explain that if the student wants to focus on Area A, for instance, in grad school that she absolutely needs to have a class with said colleague. The majority of the students come back to my office the next term and thank me for my suggestion.

I think that when I am queried--it is acceptable for me to make course suggestions to students. I am one of three undergraduate advisors in the department. About one month left until school resumes and I can honestly say that I'm ready to teach. But, that pesky need of having the syllabi done--not completed!

Finally, the blog works. I thought I was going to have to move to Wordpress! So much to say after three weeks after my last post. I am going to discuss a recent LA Times article "LA County Sees Lifespans Lengthening" (http://tinyurl.com/327xzpr) by Molly Hennessy-Fiske.  The county examined the life expectancy of 103 cities and areas in the LA county and found that life expectancy has increased across the boards and this is good news. However, from the results Public Health officials have found that there is a race and class component to the numbers.

The results should not be a big surprise. People who have more money will have more access to better health care and this correlates into better health. Likewise, certain racial groups are apt to suffer from certain health issues. For instance, African Americans are more likely to suffer from Hypertension, Sickle Cell Anemia, and Obesity compared to the average American. And, Asians and Pacific Islanders are more likely to live longest in the county, as the report noted.

What made me do a double take,though, was the causes of death for men and women. Heart disease was the leading cause of death for both women and men. But, the secondary reason for women was breast cancer and for men it was homicide. Yes, you read that correctly, homicide was the second most common cause of death for men in LA County! Looking at the cities ranked lowest for life expectancy one can surmise that these areas have a higher concentration of African Americans: Compton, Inglewood, and Lynwood. Lancasgter and Palmdale were in the list and do not have higher concentrations of African Americans.

The five cities with the highest levels of life expectancy are La Canada Flintridge, Walnut, Beverly Hills, Diamond Bar, and Arcadia. These areas are primarily middle class, upper middle class, and upper class + neighborhoods and White majority or Asian American majority. Thus, for LA County the results demonstrate that there are real correlations between race, class, and life expectancy. What will be interesting to see, though is how these numbers changed 5-10 years post-Health Care Reform.

Kudos to LA Times writer Molly Hennessy-Fiske for a well-written article.

Teen Girls and Twilight: Why Do We Buy It?

A great post about Twilight on the F Bomb: Teen Girls and Twilight: Why Do We Buy It? I agree with the author, as there are certain images being sold in the series. What seems so appetizing, if you will are the images of true love. It's a love so deep and romantic that is just unrealistic. I do think that many see this, but still want to watch the hyperidealized version of love. What are your thoughts?

I am writing a few times a month for www.equality101.net. Please check it out. The blog, founded by the fabulous, AS, focuses on education. The posts vary from writers speaking to their experiences as high school teachers to college instructors doing the same thing. Today there is a great post about mentoring and another (by me) about student disabilities and my need to accommodate.

Have a great day!

Another term is ending and I tried a few different things this term. I stepped up the student use of blog and vlogs in Gender and Politics. And, also offered Twitter as an optional place to add to the discussion or to share information.

Much like last term, the blogs varied from good to great. And, the vlogs were not only fun to watch, but I could see the students' attempt at articulating their points verbally. For some of the students the vlog is their strong suit--talking about the materials and responding to it. Yes, some had a script that they were referring to, but that was OK. For those that used these various options, hopefully they can add a line to their resume: familiar with blogs/vlogs. These Web 2.0 platforms are not going away.

In American Politics, I used podcasts more. These included mini-pods where I spent time explaining an assignment. This explanation or a similar one took place in lecture and the assignment's information is also included in the syllabus. Most of the podcasts, though, were mini-lectures. These pods focused on certain aspects of the chapters or lectures.

This last school year I also am now uploading my PPT slides on to Moodle for the students' review. I haven't done this previously and while it does add more work, I think it's worth it. The students are satisfied and maybe a little spoiled!

I am now a guest writer on Equality 101. My first post was about office hours: http://equality101.net/?p=1174#more-1174

Office hours are such an integral part of a course experience for a student. The above link will take you to some of my thoughts about office hours.

The other day I let one of my classes leave about 20 minutes early than they were slated to do so. Why? About four to five students were texting, as I was talking about their paper assignment. I found that I kept on looking at the students' hands and phones and was distracted.

I then made a judgment call and let them go. They looked surprised. Hey, if you're sitting in the first row and sitting within a few feet of the podium--not best to text during lecture. I think from here on out, I will now have to add something to my syllabus about this. It really is distracting to me.

This is a point that I have already broached on the blog, but I am still struck daily at the number of hateful posts, conversations, and overall news coverage that is really part of an anti-Obama backlash. As soon as he was nominated, the level of vitriolic hate speech and more became amplified. We are not in an era of post-race, but rather a new era that harkens back to the days before the VRA of 1965.

The level of hate and support for the revisionist textbooks in Texas are just mere examples. Obama's presidency somehow opened the doors to a level of hate against immigrants, folks of color (racialized people) and more. I am certainly not blaming Obama, but something is going on here. I am looking forward to reading some Critical Race theorists' response to this and imagine that next year's Political Science conferences will broach this topic.

In the meantime, a few suggestions for people looking for solid commentary. Racialicious, The Root, Colorlines (Racewire), Ill Doctrine, Dr. Julia Jordan Zachery, Dr. Joe Feagin, Dr. Ange Marie Hancock, Dr. Tai Alfred, and the Race Ethnicity and Politics section of the American Political Science Association are great places to look for interesting commentary and even, academic articles!

The amount of blogs online is just amazing. I don't know how in the heck to keep up with it and everything else I need to do. Suggestions?

My sweetie uses Google Reader and scans through that. I am not sure if I want to go that route, but as of now, it seems like the most realistic way to go.

I have given the students in my two Summer session courses the option to write a traditional assessment, blog or vlog. It's early in the term, but the majority are blogging. And, I have to say that I am loving this new assignment. I'm finding that with this small "n" so far--the blogs are heartfelt--a mix of reflection, personal, political, and academic.

There is something freeing for some of the students with writing the blog. A few have noted it and I see it in the overall tone and effort of the blog. Thus, in week 3, I'd say that this new assignment is successful.

It's too early to make any judgment on Twitter in the classroom. I'll really save that for the students. I like it, but do they? We'll see with the unofficial assessment and then the Course Experience Surveys!

The National Association of Chicana and Chicano Studies: Posted a response to the AZ Gov's signing SB1070. You can see NACCS response here: http://tinyurl.com/2bz8m6d

Essentially in two pages the association outlines the problems with the law. The best part, IMHO, is the note that the law encourages an "ecology of fear." I would add to that it also exacerbates an environment of hate. It allows people who already exhibit covertly their fear or hatred of others peoples in such a way that legitimates via the state.

Add to this that AZ has now banned Ethnic Studies. Yes, my friends, the state has decided that Ethnic Studies should not be taught. Right around the corner are the book burnings, banning of any Spanish names, and the pinata badges that Latinos will be forced to wear to "mark" them. I am being facetious here, but what do we think is next? Other states have noted that they want to implement similar measures. There is more going on here than a fear or concern for state security.

Will your state, province or locale be next?

The other point that I wanted to respond to. I was sad to read that @samsanator is taking a Twitter hiatus and a blog hiatus. Apparently, she has been getting lots of comments (hate) from allegedly feminist types, who are judging her for (gasp) getting married.

Don't we as a group--feminists, activists, and other social justice types have larger concerns than to judge one woman's decision to marry a man and have a huge celebration? This doesn't mean that she leaves her feminist credentials at the door. No. She certainly practices her feminist politics everyday as a teacher making a difference in the lives of countless students. If anything, this sort of attack merely plays with old tropes that are just not realistic. Some women and men will continue to marry. Some women and mean who are self-proclaimed feminists will continue to marry and we should not castigate or judge them for this.

I hope that she will continue her feminist blogging, if not, she noted that she will opt to continue her blogging on education. Hopefully, she will do both. That is the thing with blogging--it is like graffiti in a washroom. People become so brave and perhaps self-righteous with their computer monitors protecting them.

@samsanator, I hope you enjoy your hiatus. You have many supporters!

It really makes me wonder if these "haters" are even women or even feminists and not just some trolls trying to make things difficult.

I have been meaning to post, but have been more engaged with Twitter. So, I will entertain a few things right now. I don't understand how people in their right mind can support SB1070 in Arizona and how other states are thinking of following suit.

What the new law does is make most persons of color suspect. The law doesn't really do anything besides fear mongering and allows quiet racism to become more vocal. The law should give American pause, as it resembles tactics that the SS employed under Hitler's regime. Yes, I am making a comparison to Hitler.

The Tea Party circus and backlash to President Obama has meant that every fruitcake is now out in the open and proud to join groups wishing harm to the POTUS and voicing sentiments that just a few years back would have raised eyebrows. Now, it is seemingly acceptable to harken back to tactics used in the US, oh, like Jim Crow. Now, instead we have Juan and Josefina Crow tactics--SB 1070.

There is also no coincidence that White Pride groups and Neo Nazi groups in the US have flourished since Obama's Democratic nomination. And, then add the increase of people purchasing guns and the growth of other groups--birthers, etc.

I am on a rant.

I would like to know what in the heck is going on with research at the undergraduate level?! When did opinion count as substantive research? I am trying to understand if this is due to reading the papers, online communication, or something more going on in the educational system.

I've met with lots of students in the last two days--primarily students in lower division courses and by and large many do not know how to differentiate (yet) between opinion and doing research, then integrating the research into the paper. And, the next step would be analysis of the research, right?! Maybe I am venting and professors have been making this complaint for generations!

I feel for President Obama, as he's at that difficult point where he can do nothing right to different camps. The Tea Party and Coffee Party are not happy with him. The GOP is continuing their "Just Say No" campaign against him and the Democrats. There are conservative Democrats who are not completely supportive of the current Democratic Agenda.

I was just reading Dee Dee Myer's post on Politico (via Real Clear Politics) and was struck by how we need to remember that Clinton and Obama are heading markedly different administrations. And, that they are two different leaders. Yes, it would be useful if Obama could use some Clinton tactics, but would it be genuine? He's definitely less "professorial" than he was in years past.

OK. Office hours are about to start...already interrupted by a keen student. Reminded him that I had four minutes and needed them! More later.

It's been too long since the last post. March has been hectic. Besides the usual term stuff, the department also is in the process of hiring a new faculty member. This entails lots of work--job talks, lunches, dinners, and meeting with the candidates. The students here at UVIC are also very keen to participate. Many attended the job talks and then groups of undergrads and grad students met separately with the candidates!

It's also the part of the term when office hours and other consultations get busy. I've been thinking about ways to streamline consultations. Something needs to go up on our website that states that when you meet with the undergrad advisor you should come in hand with an unofficial transcript. So many of these consultations really require that students are prepared.

As far as regular office hours, coming with a pen and paper in hand = good. I sometimes have to remind students to write things down. I don't have any other thoughts on this...will blog about something else.

I'm thinking about race, racial politics, and racism. This week we discussed _This Bridge Called My Back_ in the Feminist Political Thought seminar. It's also Black History Month, and I was just reading about the comments to the latest _Vanity Fair_ issue with young Hollywood on the cover (all white women).

Race is and discussions about race can be problematic, but are necessary. Oh, where to begin...problematic due to the fear of discussing the issue honestly, and problematic due to at times the sorts of opinions that are espoused. Sarah Petrescu, _Times Colonist_ reporter, has referred to comments on line similar to graffiti in a public washroom. I share this, as the comments in response to the VF issue have varied from learned to racist.

VF, which I subscribe to, has a particular demographic who they know constitute their target market. The previous issue of the magazine had a bare chested Tiger Woods, who we all know is mixed race. However, particular to this issue, certainly Zoe Saldana could have graced the cover. And, maybe even _Precious_ actress, Gabourey Sidibe. There are, of course, other young actresses of color to choose from. But, by and small (note the use of this word)--attractive, thin, white women will be showcased. This is problematic, since this isn't representative of the diversity available, even in Hollywood. And, what is more problematic is the knee jerk reactions to the criticism.

How can one really say that it's then unfair that _Ebony_ doesn't have white people on their magazine? First of all--you'd be hard pressed to find most African Americans in the US, who do not have a drop of white blood flowing in their veins. Secondly, _Ebony_ is not a mainstream magazine with the sort of subscription or purchase rates that the powerhouse VF is. _Ebony_ is a niche market magazine.

So, here we are at Black History Month, the US has a mixed-race President, and we must continue our discussions and thoughts about race and racism. They need to be more nuanced than what we will see on the public washroom or on the blogosphere. This doesn't mean that these conversations must take place in the university classroom. No, these converstations need to take place on TV, in our movies, magazines, living rooms, coffee shops, cars, buses, and most importantly between one another.

I was quite happy with the level of conversation in the seminar on Tuesday evening. I am hopeful that it will continue and that each student left wanting to talk more about feminisms, race, and racialization.

Second blog post about the Twilight Talk. It's now up and available on iTunes. You just have to run a search with my name and it will come up. I uploaded it on my account and have emailed iTunes to get Sikata Banerjee and Tai Alfred's names included in the directory.

I have been fielding emails and Facebook messages and the like from people who were there or who want to get more information. We definitely are riding the wave of interest of the Twilight series, but offered our thoughts and some discussion.

I am definitely not a "hater" of the series. They've actually provided lots of teachable moments for me and my eldest daughter. The series has also been useful as a paper topic in some of my courses.

Knock on my door.

What a great turnout to tonight's Twilight Talk! There were approximately 125 people in the room...many who spilled out onto the aisles and floor. We definitely needed a larger rooom.

I started the talk with introductions of my colleagues: Dr. Sikata Banerjee and Dr. Tai Alfred and then really set up what is the Twilight Zone, and moved to discussing slides of Jacob, his body, and the commodification of the characters, etc.

Sikata moved into a discussion of colonialism, imperial anxiety, and masculinity.

Then, Tai rounded it out with a discussion of indigenity and a reflecting on his thoughts of the first two books/movies.

We fielded wonderful responses from the community--both campus and off campus. The event was a success and we each were approached and asked to do a similar talk. Up next--discussion about Avatar!

Dear Democratic Party: Hopefully the Coakley loss has caused you to wake up. Right now you're finger pointing and watching the dust settle from last night's loss in Mass. But, my dear friends, how could you not see this coming?
1. The economy is in the can
2. Off year's the party of the President is usually punished
3. Coakley's campaign could have been run better
4. Brown spoke to an angry segment of the crowd
5. The Party at large did not respond well to the campaign.

Need to get to class.

Letter Writing. Letters of Reference. Recommendations letters. Professors get the requests several times a year and I'm swimming, no drowning, with requests. And, I know that next week's looming deadline for the international exchange will mean that last minute requests will stream in, as well.

Request--please be organized and give me everything I need (resume, forms, information, SASE, and a cover note with the information and deadlines). All of these things help a busy professor focus on writing the letter and not the organization information.

Good luck!

Avatar. I saw Avatar last week with my SO and DD. SP, of the TC, was right--it is a spectacle. The special effects were amazing and unlike other movies it didn't feel overly "CGI."

Now to think about the story--it wasn't original. And, I understand why so many of my friends and colleagues have issue with the movie. Here you have a white guy coming in to save the natives. Granted he was a human saving the indigenous peoples on another planet. Of course, the Naavi (spelling) were in touch with the animals, plants and one another. Yet another trope of indigenous people being one with nature.

My friend noted that her husband referred to the movie as "Dancing with Wolves for Aliens." I agree. Overall, worth seeing, but the movie should give you pause to think about the pervasive metaphors and messages.

A new term! I love new terms. Usually they are filled with the anticipation of tons of new students and just a fresh beginning. From scanning my enrollment lists, I see that I have lots of repeaters. I'm thrilled and looking forward to good conversation in class. Typically with repeaters participation is that much easier. They feel more comfortable with one another.

I'm going to try something different this term, too. So, it should be interesting. To a fresh start for all my colleagues and students!