Interview

2

Sample Interview and Learning Resources Summary

Student Name

Department of Social Science, University of Maryland Global Campus

WMST 200: Introduction to Women’s Studies: Women and Society

Title Professor’s Name

Month Day, Year

Sample Interview and Learning Resources Summary

Interview summary:

I interviewed my friend, Sarah Martin. Ms. Martin is a 43-year-old divorced mother of an 8-year-old with autism and a financial planner. We conducted our interview over email and telephone. She was generous with her time, and provided thoughtful responses to my questions. She even provided follow-up answers when I asked for more information. Some of the major Women’s Studies topics we covered were family roles, motherhood, and work.

Learning resources summary:

Holberg, A. (2014). Motherhood. [PowerPoint slides]. UMGC. https://learn.umgc.edu/d2l/le/content/348060/viewContent/14735804/View

This lecture discusses the ways motherhood is idealized in our culture. I will use this powerpoint lecture to help explain why, as the mother of a young child, Ms. Martin found it difficult to step into the role of breadwinner after her ex-husband lost his job.

Rich, A. (1979, September 6). Claiming an education. Speech given at Douglass College convocation. York U. http://www.yorku.ca/cvandaal/files/ClaimingAnEducation.pdf

This speech encourages women to "take responsibility" for themselves. It also will help me to explain the change in Ms. Martin's attitude toward her own education and role in her marriage that led to her finally completing her college degree with a toddler and a deployed husband after many years of failing classes or dropping out of school. 

Standish, R. (2013). Course module 4: women & work. In L. Walter (ed.), WMST 200 course modules. UMGC. https://learn.umgc.edu/d2l/le/content/554336/viewContent/19339389/View

"It is very difficult to change the imbalance in the division of housework because social roles are so predicated on household tasks. Men don't feel masculine doing household tasks, and women often feel less feminine if they avoid them. ... Many of the women felt that taking good care of their homes and families showed their love, and by extension made them truly womanly (Winkler, 2002)." This section discusses internalized gender roles and the traditional division of labor in the household. It also reflects many of the reasons that Ms. Martin gave for putting her education and career goals off during the first ten years of her marriage.