Woman Studies paper

WS 101: Introduction to Women’s Studies Clark College Lana M. Gold Summer 2019

WS 101: Unnatural Causes Assignment DESCRIPTION: the Unnatural Causes video series looks at systems of oppression operating in America today and shows real-life examples of how racism and classism affect the lives of ordinary people. You will watch several video clips from the series and use course texts to analyze how systems of oppression are institutional in nature.

INSTRUCTIONS:

✓ Go to the Unnatural Causes website and watch all the video clips under each of the following sections:

o In Sickness and In Wealth o When the Bough Breaks o Becoming American o Place Matters o Not Just a Paycheck

✓ Use the following Course Sources for all definitions:

o Lectures o Cycle of Oppression PowerPoint o Hill-Collins reading o Yamato reading

✓ Include the following in your paper:

Introduction (1 paragraph)

o Define “systems of oppression” and explain how they differ from “prejudice”

o Define racism and classism

o Explain how racism and classism may be intersectional

Body (3+ pages)

Institutional Oppression

o Define “institutional oppression”

o Identify and explain specific examples (from the videos) of institutional racism and institutional classism; in

other words, how do the practices, policies, and decisions made at higher levels impact the lives of ordinary

people of color and/or low-income people?

o Identify and explain specific examples (from the videos) of what positive changes people are attempting to make

in order to counteract the effects of institutional racism and classism

Conclusion (1 paragraph)

o Using course texts as a guide, explain what changes American society needs to make to stop the class- and race- based inequality when it comes to health and life expectancy. Make specific connections between course texts, the videos, and what changes need to be made.

GUIDELINES:

• Use the specified course texts for your definitions

• Keep definitions brief and specific

• Use the Unnatural Causes video clips for your examples

• Make sure you explain how your examples illustrate the definition; examples that are too vague, not appropriate, or not

well-explained will not count

CRITERIA:

• Follow Instructions and Guidelines

• Proper Format for College Papers (see syllabus)

• In-text citation (MLA or APA style)*

• Works Cited page

• 4+ pages minimum

• Due 8/7/19 * See syllabus for information on citation with MLA or APA style