Homework: Application: Living in an "-ism" World
With this homework, you continue your analysis and evaluation of societal prejudices with regard to sexism, heterosexism, bisexual-ism, and ageism.
Begin your preparation for this Application Homework by asking yourself: Which of the topics I examined struck a familiar chord in me, and for what reason(s)? With which ones was I unfamiliar and/or uncomfortable, and what is/are the reason(s) for these feelings?
Task:
Review the articles about various "isms" in the resources for this week
Consider the significance of each "ism" in your professional and personal life, and
Write a summary essay, at least 3 pages in length, in which you address the following questions:
• Sexism
o If I had been a man instead of a woman or vice versa, how would my life have been different?
o What is the most salient experience in my life that is directly related to my sex?
o What new insights, professionally and/or personally, about sexism did I gain from this article
• Heterosexism
o What, if any, assumptions do I make about people whose sexual orientation is different from mine?
o What experiences of privilege and/or oppression in my life are directly related to my sexual orientation?
o What new insights, professionally and/or personally, about heterosexism did I gain from this article?
• LGBT-ism
o What do I know now about specific challenges LGBT persons are likely to encounter that I did not know before I studied the resources?
o What do I think/feel when I hear people say that LGBT persons should not be permitted in early childhood settings?
o What new insights, professionally and/or personally, about lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgendered persons did I gain from these resources?
• Ageism
o When I think back to my early childhood years, in what ways did adults made me feel powerful and significant and/or powerless or insignificant?
o When I imagine myself to be 90 years old, how powerful and/or marginalized might I feel-and why?
o What new insights, professionally and/or personally, about ageism did I gain from this article?
Format your homework according to the following formatting requirements:
o The answer should be typed, using Times New Roman font (size 12), double spaced, with one-inch margins on all sides.
o The response also includes a cover page containing the title of the homework, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
o Also include a reference page. The Citations and references must follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.
References:
o Anti-Bias Education for Young Children and Ourselves
o Chapter 3. "Becoming an Anti-Bias Teacher: A Developmental Journey" (read "Become Aware of Your Own Feelings and Beliefs" and "Examine Institutional Advantages and Disadvantages" on pp. 22--27).
o Book Excerpt: Sue, D. W. (2010). Microaggressions in everyday life: Race, gender, and sexual orientation. New York, NY: Wiley
o Chapter 8, "Gender Microaggressions and Sexism"
o Chapter 9, "Sexual-Orientation Microaggressions and Heterosexism"
o Article: Harris, S. (2011, Winter). Do not let them know you are OLD. Virginia Tech "Research" Magazine, 26--31.