Welcome to Feminism 101! I've been teaching this class on OutSchool since 2020 and I have recently updated the content and curriculum (as of January 2023) to reflect the most up-to-date terms, movements, and current events, and areas that students find the most interesting and engaging. I also enjoy tailoring the content to the interests of the group. Students are encouraged to share their areas of interest that they want to learn more about so that I can build those topics into our weekly classes. 

This is an 8-week course for learners of all gender identities who are interested in feminism and social justice. A detailed week-by-week breakdown of key questions and learning goals is provided below. Each class, we will explore a new topic related to feminism and social justice and build upon our knowledge from our previous conversations. By the end of the course, students will be able to discuss key areas in feminist history and introductory feminist theoretical concepts including intersectionality and gender stereotypes. Students will learn key skills like critical thinking and analysis, cultural analysis, and media literacy. 

This class is interactive and discussion-based. I use lots of visual materials to help guide our learning and conversations including slides with images, educational videos, and art. Students are encouraged to share their thoughts and ideas through group discussions and I work hard to foster an environment where everyone feels safe, listened to, and valued. We have a lot of fun together through our conversations and tend to share a lot of laughs together each week. The learning environment is warm, encouraging, engaging, and respectful. 

Although the histories and theories we will be learning about are important, perhaps the most special part of this class is the way that students find community and connection with their classmates. This course offers the opportunity for students interested in social justice and gender equality to connect with like-minded peers who have similar interests in feminism, anti-racism, decolonization, 2SLGBTQ+ rights, and other areas of social justice. Many students, particularly those living in more rural or conservative areas, have found a lot of comfort in having an educational environment where they can express themselves freely about topics they don't feel comfortable discussing in their homeschool or social groups. This course is a space for students to really feel seen and understood by both me and their peers, while still learning a lot and having a ton of fun. 

I've witnessed so many beautiful friendships formed in this course! Many of the students who took this class between 2020-2021 are still a part of an ongoing course that I offer on Tuesdays called Intersectional Feminism, Queer Theory, and Social Justice for Teens that may also be of interest to your child. Students are welcome to join that class at any point, but I do recommend taking this class prior to joining our ongoing class, as it provides a lot of the foundational concepts that we use regularly in our discussions (more details on what is covered below). I also offer a Feminism 201 course that builds upon the fundamentals of this course. 

This class has a heavy emphasis on the importance of intersectionality. As such, we will be discussing topics including race, class, disability, and 2SLGBTQ+ related issues, and other sensitive topics. I am committed to leading these conversations in a way that keeps safe for students. Content warnings will always be provided for students when any potentially sensitive material is being covered. I cultivate safe and welcoming learning settings for students of all backgrounds and identities. I take great care to ensure my classes are accessible for neurodivergent and disabled learners. Please feel free to message me about any accommodations your child may need so that I can make the environment more accessible, comfortable, and enjoyable for them.

Below is an outline of the weekly class themes and guiding questions:

Week 1: Introduction: Feminism, The Gender Binary, and Social Constructionism

Learning Goals: We'll spend some time getting to know each other and learning about what kinds of things we'll be covering together in the course. Students will have the chance to share what areas of feminism and social justice they are interested in. We'll learn about the word feminism and a brief history of the feminist movement. We'll talk about who should be feminists and why some people are uncomfortable with identifying as a feminist. Students will also be introduced to the concepts of the gender binary and social constructionism. We'll discuss the ways that gender is shaped by the culture that we live in. 

Key Questions: What is feminism and where did it come from? Who is feminism for? Can boys be feminists? What is the gender binary and why are people so obsessed with it? What is a social construct and how does it relate to gender? 

Week 2: Intersectionality

Learning Goals: Intersectionality is one of, if not the most, important tools for every feminist to have in their feminist toolkit. We'll learn about Kimberlé Crenshaw who coined the term intersectionality by examining the the historical significance for how and why she came up with it. Through our conversation on intersectionality, students will be introduced to Black Feminism and learn about the ways that Black women have been integral to the formation feminism, as well as centring anti-racism within the feminist movement. Students will work together to create a "mind map" to examine the many areas of our lives that are intertwined with gender equality. We'll learn about why we can't separate women's rights from other societal issues like racism, LGBTQ+ rights, Indigenous rights, food security, religious freedom, etc. and why we need to fight for equality for everyone in order to overcome oppressive systems like patriarchy. 

Key Questions: What is intersectional theory? Who came up with the idea and why is it important for feminists to always centre intersectionality in their activism? What areas of identity should be considered when we're applying an intersectional lens? How can we practice intersectionality as feminists? What does the term "patriarchy" mean and what does it have to do with feminism and social justice?

Week 3: Gender Stereotypes 

Learning Goals: This week tends to be a ton of fun and full of a lot of laughter. Students will be shown a number of ads and marketing campaigns that rely heavily on gender stereotypes that show just how truly silly (at best) and harmful (at worst) gender stereotypes can be. Students will learn media literacy and critical thinking skills through our discussions and activities.  Students will also do participate in a creative group activity to think about the ways in which they have witnessed and/or experienced gender stereotyping in ads, social media, and commercial spaces like malls.

Key Questions: What are gender stereotypes? What are some of the cultural expectations we have for boys and girls and how are they reproduced in advertisements, commercials, and even in actual clothes and products? What are the differences in how boys and girls are expected to play, dress, behave, etc.? Who benefits from promoting gender stereotypes and in what ways do companies use gender stereotypes to sell us more stuff? What happens if we let go of gender roles and stereotypes and are able to express ourselves in our most authentic ways?

Week 4: Gender and Popular Culture

Learning Goals: Now that we have an idea of how stereotypes are used in advertisements and campaigns, we can dig deeper into how the media represents men, women, and LGBTQ+ folks in areas like film, television, the music industry, and more. We'll look at examples from popular culture to uncover common tropes that emerge in media over and over. In doing so, students will learn to apply their intersectional feminist lens to think critically about the content we consume. We'll discuss how these representations have the potential to impact the ways we think and feel about ourselves and others. We'll also learn about some shows, books, movies, and video games that celebrate diversity and are working hard to create positive change in the media we consume. 

Key Questions: How are girls and women often represented in the media? What is objectification and how does it damage how girls and women think of themselves? What is toxic masculinity and how is it harmful to boys and men? What is a "trope"? What tropes can we identify from the shows, movies, and video games that we have seen/played? How and why are LGBTQ+ represented in the media? How can we apply our intersectional lens to consider how representation extends beyond gender (i.e. race, disability, class, body diversity, etc.)? What are some examples of positive and healthy representations in media that we know and can share with the group?

Week 5: Feminist Roots: The Civil Rights Movement and the Gay Liberation Movement

Learning Goals: Speaking of intersections, let's take a look at how the feminist movement was hugely inspired, influenced, and shaped by the Civil Rights Movement and the Gay Liberation Movement. Students will learn about the historical significance of these movements that fought for civil rights and liberties for Black people in America (and beyond) and how these movements, in turn, shaped feminist activism. We'll learn about the Stonewall Uprising and discuss how so much of the feminist movement was successfully led by BIPOC and LGBTQ+ folks who already had vast experience in fighting for justice. We'll discuss and criticize the ways that mainstream feminism often leaves out the histories, stories, sacrifices, and triumphs of the People of Colour and Queer people who we have to thank for the feminist movement. We'll learn about some of the key figures from these movements including Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, Martin Luther King Jr., Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, and more. 

How does the feminist movement connect to both the Civil Rights Movement and theGay Liberation Movement? What was the Stonewall Uprising? What challenges do LGBTQ+ people today? Which contemporary movements (e.g. Black Lives Matter, Land Back) are continuing to fight for justice for Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour today? Why does a lot of mainstream feminism leave out these important histories? What is white feminism and why do we need to actively dismantle it from our own feminist activism and the feminist movement at large?

Week 6: Gender and the Home / Family:

Learning Goals: It might seem like a boring topic at first, but there are so many ways that gender roles can be reinforced and conditioned right at home. This week we'll learn a lot about the concept of "emotional labour" and talk about the ways that women and girls tend to care for so much of the unseen work that takes place to keep a household running smoothly. We'll also learn about the ways that women who become mothers are paid much less than their peers who do not have children. We'll talk about the term "nuclear family" and discuss the ways that nuclear families are valued higher in our society than non-nuclear families (e.g. families with gay or lesbian parents, families that do not have children, etc.)

Key Questions: How does gender inequality take place within families (even when we don't mean for it to)? What are the differences in how boys and girls are expected to behave at home (e.g. chores, play, caregiving, etc.)? What are some of the challenges that queer kids face? What is emotional/unpaid labour and how does it relate to families? What does the term "nuclear family" mean and why is it valued so highly in our society?

Week 7: Gender and the Classroom:

Learning Goals: We know that education varies vastly across the world. Together, we'll brainstorm barriers to education that children across the world face. We'll learn about Malala Yousafzai and listen to the speech that she delivered to the United Nations. We'll learn about her organization, the Malala Foundation, and talk about how Malala, as well as many other young activists, are fighting for the rights of girls to access education. We'll also watch the short film Sitara: Let Girls Dream (2020), which demonstrates how child marriage effects girls in many countries and keeps them from finishing their education and following their dreams. 

Key Questions: What are the barriers to education that many people across the world face? How can we make schools more equitable and safe for all? How do people who menstruate face barriers to education? What does child marriage have to do with all of this? How can we protect children on a global scale and break down barriers to education?

Week 8: The Future of Feminism is You

Wow! We have come a long way from week one! Let's take some time to reflect on our conversations. Have our perspectives about gender and society changed over the past two months? Have we noticed new patterns in the shows and movies we watch or the celebrities we follow? We will also make space to talk about the challenges that we face in continuing feminist work in our own lives: How can we make the world a better place? How can we fight for equality? How can we honour our own identities and celebrate our most beautiful, authentic selves?

During this final week, students have the opportunity to share a short presentation on a topic of their own interest that they want to share with their peers. Previous students have talked about challenges specific to their own countries, have shown us their own artwork, have introduced us to an artist or song they love... the options are endless! This final class is a celebratory week to reflect on how much we have learned together and encourage each other in how we can continue intersectional feminist work in our own lives. Sometimes we even have time to play a fun game! 

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As a Ph.D. student in Gender, Feminism, and Women, I am very passionate about teaching these subjects. This course is something I wish I had access to as a young person interested in the areas of gender, race, and LGBTQ+ rights. I truly love leading these classes and conversations and the ideas, questions, curiosities, and community that is built through them. 

I can’t wait to meet our next group of students in the classroom! Please reach out if you have any other questions.