Women’s Studies Program Presents Multiple Feminist Forums This Fall

The Texas Tech University Women’s Studies Program will host three feminist forums this coming semester in the Teaching, Learning and Technology Center (TLTC) on the main floor of the Texas Tech University Library.

“The forums will examine cultural and social construction of gender by studying the history, experience and contributions of women to society,” said Patricia Earl, coordinator for the Women’s Studies program at Texas Tech. “Discussions will include the diverse methods of teaching related to the topics of gender, gender roles and gender identity.”

The Feminist Teacher – noon-1 p.m. Friday (Sept. 16), Room 153 of the University Library’s TLTC. The forum will examine strategies to introduce critical-thinking skills in a classroom setting from a feminist perspective. The forum will examine questions such as how does one define a feminist teacher, why is teaching from a feminist perspective vital to classroom curriculum, and what are some best practices that are used to interpret feminist instruction.

Risk Perceptions and Innovation in Academia – noon-1 p.m. Oct. 14, Room 153 of the of the University Library’s TLTC. This forum investigates diverse methods of teaching related to the topics of gender, gender roles and gender identity. Attendees will examine how the definition of controversy can be used to translate and define another’s tolerance and inclusion while engaging strategies that develop activism within an educational environment. Participants will hear firsthand experiences of how critical-thinking skills are challenged within the classroom while discussing issues that may seem risky. Taking chances to encourage students to think outside the norm contributes to students thinking creatively and becoming more accountable for their actions, belief systems and learning.

Social Networks in Overdrive – noon-1 p.m. Nov. 18, Room 153 of the of the University Library’s TLTC. Attendees will learn how efficient technological tools found within social networks strengthen the feminist movement, such as feminist Facebook groups, fan pages and hashtags in Twitter that are specific to feminist theory and thought.  The program showcases how quickly and powerfully current social, economic and political debates affect women and men, boys and girls to take action and make change.

These events are free and open to the public. For off-campus visitors, enter through the main campus entrance at University Avenue and Broadway; ask for directions and visitor parking location instructions at the traffic kiosk station.

The Women’s Studies Program is a part of the Division of Institutional Diversity, Equity and Community Engagement.

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 CONTACT: Patricia Earl, coordinator, Women’s Studies Program, Texas Tech University, (806) 742-4335, or patricia.a.earl@ttu.edu