This in-program ILC titled “Queer Studies: Projects in Comprehensive Sex Education” will study the connections between comprehensive, inclusive sex education and social justice issues by blending elements of research, fiction creation, and hands-on leadership and program coordination experience to give the student a broad perspective that is connected to real world applications. The student will carry out an internship with the Trans and Queer Center at The Evergreen State College to gain practical experience with program and event planning in a LGBTQIA+ space. In addition the student will carry out an independent research project on the importance of comprehensive sex education as a social justice tool, and the student will create several pieces of short fiction including elements of the social justice, identity, and diversity issues being addressed over the quarter. Texts to be utilized in whole or in part include: “The ABC’s of LGBT+” by Ashley Mardell; “Health Care Dipsarities and the LGBT Population” edited by Vickie Harvey and Teresa Heinz Housel; “Acting Out! Combating Homophobia Through Teacher Activism.” edited by Mollie Blackburn et al; “Gay, Lesbian, and Trasngender Issues in Education: Programs, Policies, and Practices” edited by James T. Sears; “Octavia’s Brood” edited by Adrienne Maree Brown and Walidah Imarisha; and “LGBTQ Comedic Monologues That Are Actually Funny” edited by Alisha Gaddis.
End of Quarter Description Revision:
This in-program ILC titled “Queer Studies: Projects in Comprehensive Sex Education” will study the connections between comprehensive, inclusive sex education and social justice issues by blending elements of experiential research, fiction creation, and hands-on leadership and program coordination experience to give the student a broad perspective that is connected to real world applications. The student will carry out an internship with the Trans and Queer Center at The Evergreen State College to gain practical experience with program and event planning in a LGBTQIA+ space. In addition the student will carry out an independent experiential research project on the importance of comprehensive sex education as a social justice tool, and the student will create several pieces of short fiction including elements of the social justice, identity, and diversity issues being addressed over the quarter. Texts to be utilized in whole or in part include: “Octavia’s Brood” edited by Adrienne Maree Brown and Walidah Imarisha; “Not Your Mother’s Meatloaf” edited by Saiya Miller and Liza Bley; and “LGBTQ Comedic Monologues That Are Actually Funny” edited by Alisha Gaddis.
| Learning Objectives | Activities | Deliverables |
| Learn practical, hands-on skills in project creation, coordination, and leadership in LGBTQIA+ spaces. | I will work with Amira Caluya at the Trans and Queer Center and get involved in the planning and coordination of several events which could include Trans and Queer week or Lavender Grad. I will also work to lay foundation for the creation of events or groups around the topic of comprehensive, inclusive, and holistic sexual education. | I will document my work through this internship through a weekly report detailing my activities and reflections.
My field supervisor will provide a written evaluation of my work over the quarter. |
| Research the connection between comprehensive and inclusive sex education and social justice work. | I will research the conversations being had around the subject of comprehensive sex education and social justice through formal and informal means. I will read news articles, scholarly journal articles, watch videos by peer to peer sex educators and community content creators. I will sections from the books “The ABC’s of LGBT+” by Ashley Mardell; “Health Care Dipsarities and the LGBT Population” edited by Vickie Harvey and Teresa Heinz Housel; “Acting Out! Combating Homophobia Through Teacher Activism.” edited by Mollie Blackburn et al; “Gay, Lesbian, and Trasngender Issues in Education: Programs, Policies, and Practices” edited by James T. Sears. | In week eight I will turn in a 10-12 page double space paper presenting my research over the quarter to my faculty. I will also put together a short PowerPoint presentation of my research to be shown during week ten. |
| Learn how to include social justice, diversity, and identity issues into stories to create realistic, progressive, and powerful fiction. | I will write fiction and short work of varying lengths that will include elements of the social justice, diversity, and identity issues that I will be studying through my other learning objectives over the quarter.
As I write I will reflect on why including these elements in fiction writing is important, what skills the practice of including these elements build, and what those skills can be applied to in the future. I will read selections of the books “Octavia’s Brood” edited by Adrienne Maree Brown and Walidah Imarisha; and “LGBTQ Comedic Monologues That Are Actually Funny” edited by Alisha Gaddis. |
The fiction that I write over the quarter will be collected on my e-portfolio. In addition to the fiction written over the quarter, a short reflection paper will be written and turned in during week nine to summarize my learning. |