Gender Studies: Focus on Intersectionality
2023 - 2024
Our Social Studies program is the heart of our anti-racist and anti-bias philosophy and curriculum. We believe that when children understand themselves as part of a global community, they build a deep understanding of what it means to be a kind and compassionate person, to have respect for all people, and to understand that what we do in our part of the world is connected to people all over the globe. Throughout this program, we focus on and highlight voices of resistance as well as help students understand the mechanisms of systemic oppression. Learning difficult history and current events can be challenging for a student of any age; through the knowledge students gain in this program, we aim to help all students feel empowered as agents of social justice, either as part of their own community or as allies.
Course description for 2023 - 2024:
This year-long course explores concepts such as gender, sexuality, race, binary thinking, social constructions, and stereotypes. We will look at various feminist/womanist and LGBTQIA+ movements and how our understanding of gender has evolved over time. Students will consider how the language, aesthetics, and cultural norms produce context within texts. This class offers an intersectional approach, considering how gender, sexuality, race, class, culture, and differently-abled perspectives overlap and diverge. Course materials may include but are not limited to literature, essays, music, and documentaries. Students will be expected to read a minimum of ten full length books. Classes will be mostly discussion based, and writing assignments and other research projects will be assigned as independent work. This course will be taught by City Kids' founder, Dr. Stacey Cohen.
Target Age: Advanced Upper Middle School and High School
*Please note, this course is for academically advanced students who can handle the rigors of advanced reading material, research projects, writing assignments, and mature classroom discussions.
Prerequisites:
-Willingness to participate in class discussions.
-Ability to handle an advanced reading load.
-Maturity to discuss issues around gender and sexuality.
Where and When:
North Michigan Park, D.C.
Mid September to the end of May
To register, please contact us at citykidscoop@gmail.com.