Guidelines for Senior Projects (WS 411)

Women Studies 411 is the senior project, to be done toward the completion of the minor or major. The course integrates academic and practical learning through work with a women's community organization. It is an opportunity for students to learn from community women, as the final stage of their training as feminist professionals.

Credits: 1-6

The number of credits will be determined by taking into consideration the amount of community experience the individual student has, up to the point of registration for WMNS 411, already included in her/his minor or major.

The number of credits determines the volume of work expected. For each credit hour, the student is expected to work on the project for 3 hours. These hours will include academic and practical work. For example, if a student registers for 5 credits, she/he will put 15 hours into the project, inclusive of academic and practical work.

Academic Component

The academic component will be supervised by a WWU Women Studies faculty. All faculty who teach Women Studies related courses are eligible and the student is encouraged to approach any faculty with whom she/he has worked.

Student and faculty compile a reading list of material that will inform and complement the practical work. The faculty will determine how to evaluate the student’s understanding of the readings.

Practical Component

The practical component aligns the student with a women’s community organization whose practical work is related to the student’s interest as indicated in the academic reading list.

The community organization becomes a community partner in the learning process and the student experiences how feminist activism actually takes place in the community.

The person with whom the student works closely is the community supervisor who determines, in conjunction with the student, the tasks to be accomplished and the number of hours expected.

The community supervisor evaluates the student’s practical work and this evaluation is included in the final evaluation of the WMNS 411 project.

WMNS 411 Course Proposal

The course proposal is drafted at the onset of the project for the director’s approval, after which permission is given for registering for the course.

WMNS 411 Completion

Presentation of the project to Women Studies students and faculty at the Colloquium toward the end of the academic year.

A paper that synthesizes academic and practical learning. This paper and complementary materials (work log, evaluations by faculty and community partner, etc.) will be filed in the Women Studies office.

The final grade will take into consideration all aspects of the project.

Guidelines for Women Studies Independent Studies Projects (ISP)

Credits

There is a limit of 8 credits of Independent Studies, to be designed at the 300 or 400 levels. A request for additional ISP credits will be considered in consultation with the available Women Studies courses, to the extent that the additional ISP credits are needed to fulfill the student’s academic needs. The level of the ISP is determined by the quality of work expected. The credit hours indicate the number of hours of work expected per week. For each credit hour, three hours work is expected.

Advisers to Independent Studies (ISP)

All Women Studies faculty are eligible to supervise ISPs. Students are encouraged to approach a faculty with whom she/he has previously worked. The ISP contract between faculty and student is negotiated to include reading material, assignments, faculty/students conferences, grading criteria any other details that the faculty deems significant.

Content, Focus, Grade

The content and focus of the ISP should generally follow the Women Studies guidelines as defined in the Women Studies statement. The title of the ISP, determined by the content and focus, appears on the student’s transcript. The student must earn at least a C+ if the ISP credits are to count toward fulfillment of the minor or major.

Registration

The student submits and ISP proposal to the Women Studies director that includes:

• Number of credits
• Faculty adviser
• ISP Title

ISP permit cards are available in the Women Studies office, Miller Hall 177. These cards are to be signed by the ISP faculty and Women Studies director before registration is permitted.

 

411 Student Projects

Student’s Name: Alexandra Niedzialkowski

Faculty Adviser: Shirin Deylami, Political Science

Community Adviser: Brian Smith

Community Organization: Bellingham High School

Project Title: Connecting Gender in the Bellingham Music Community to a Riot Grrrl History

This project sought to inspire young girls to find their voice through songwriting and performance.  Based in Bellingham High School, the practical aspect of the project took the form of workshops and mentorship of girls, with the goal of participation in an actual rock concert.  The workshops were situated within the context of male dominated downtown nightlife and live music of Bellingham, a college town that illustrated gendered trends of rock performances.  The research was inspired by the Riot Grrrl movement of the early 1990s by queer, feminist, college age women students who sought to connect punk history and feminist theory and bring attention to sexism, racism and homophobia in their local communities.  The project analyzes Ladyfest and other regional women’s music festivals.
The project was presented in WMNS 212: Feminist Theory and Expressions and the dossier is archived at the Women Studies program.

Completed: Spring 2010

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Student’s Name: Michelle Hughes

Faculty Adviser: Shurla Thibou, Women Studies

Community Adviser: Jennifer Gallant

Community Organization: Bellingham, YWCA

Project Title: Girls on the Run

This project focused on building young girls’ self-esteem through running, aspects of healthy living, and respect for self and others.  Four girls from Larrabee Elementary School participated in the project, meeting weekly to speak about their feelings of self-doubt and learn about eating, exercising and making wise choices.  The project was grounded in research about the declining self-esteem of pre-teen girls because factors such as of media images, parental and peer influences.  Girls on The Run is a national movement that recognizes the importance of physical activity in developing physical and emotional health.  The project followed the national curriculum, while integrating a feminist approach to life in general.
The project was presented in WMNS 212: Feminist Theory and Expressions and the dossier is archived at the Women Studies program.

Completed: Spring 2010

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Student’s Name: Devin Majkut

Faculty Adviser: Rae Lynn Schwartz-Dupre, Communication

Community Adviser: Leah Castella

Community Organization: The Women’s Debate Institute

Project Title: Designing and Implementing a Scholarship Program for Young Women in Academic Debate

This project focused on the creation of a scholarship program to offer young women full scholarships and travel funding to the Women’s Debate summer conference in August 2010.  The project served primarily working class women in urban debate teams in various parts of the USA.  It drew on research about the patriarchal domination of debates where coaches and strategies are male dominated and where females are exposed to various types of gender harassment.  The Urban Debate League, to which the scholarships were directed, recognizes class and color hierarchies and attempts more equal access to young people from urban centers and impoverished communities.  
The project was presented in WMNS 212: Feminist Theory and Expressions and the dossier is archived at the Women Studies program.

Completed: Spring 2010

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Student’s Name: Laura Chilcoat

Faculty Adviser: Rosanne Kanhai, Women Studies

Community Adviser: Dalia de Jesus

Community Organization: Village Vida Center

Project Title: Lesbian Health

This project studied women’s health issues with particular significance to lesbian women. Beginning with a discussion on how the ambiguity of the definition of lesbian affected the research in the field, this project investigated influences such as relationships with health care providers, the norm of heterosexuality in the health care system, and health issues that were of particular relevance to lesbian women.
Student activities included compilation of materials that can be used in health education and a power point presentation at St. Luke’s Health Education Center. 
Presentation of the project was done in WMNS 211: Introduction to Women Studies. Project materials are available at WWU Women Studies Program for use by faculty and students.

Completed: Winter 2010

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Student’s Name: Casey Proud

Faculty Adviser: David Glibertson, Accounting

Community Adviser: Brenda Apt

Community Organization: VITA: Bellingham Women’s Shelter

Project Title: Tax Concerns for Women Survivors of Domestic Violence

This project entailed understanding the particular tax concerns of women who are survivors of domestic violence, and training to assist such women with the preparation of tax returns. The course of the project included education on patterns of domestic violence and the support organizations in Bellingham, recruitment of volunteers, and setting up booths to meet women who needed assistance with tax returns.
Student activities included compilation of tax materials and learning from community women about the specific needs of women survivors.
Presentation of the project was done in WMNS 211: Introduction to Women Studies. Project materials are available at WWU Women Studies Program for use by faculty and students.

Completed: Winter 2010

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Student’s Name: Claire Palansch

Faculty Adviser: Shurla Thibou, Women Studies

Community Adviser: John Garrison & Carmen Dolfo

Community Organization: Boys & Girls Club (4th and 5th grade girls’ basketball team)

Project Title: Girls’ Basketball: Women’s Self-Esteem and Development & Empowerment through Sport

This project entailed working with a team of girls, attending basketball practices, functioning as a positive role model for girls and focusing on self esteem building while participating in athletic team work. The project situated women’s athletics within American culture and explained the significance of Title IX which increased women’s participation in a traditional male-dominated activity. This project made a strong recommendation for increased athletic programs for girls.
Student activities included administering questioners about self-esteem, reading books related to young women and sport and assisting in the training of female athletes.

Completed: Winter 2010
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Student's Name: Kris Johnson

Faculty Advisor: Shurla Thibou

Community Advisor: Catherine Chambers

Community Organization: Community to Community Development Projects

Project Title: Personal Development and Feminist Identity Building through Service Learning with Community Organizations

This project began as a Girls Leadership Project; however, since there was not an adequate structure to carry implement this project, Kris assumed the role of a "point person" for The Women's Alliance, a feminist organization that is closely aligned with Community to Community.

Student activities included: research on feminist organizations; writing up weekly reports for Women's Alliance; sending emails; answering questions to the public; arranging and facilitating meetings; typing and distributing meeting notes; gathering and organizing information that contributed to the hosting of International Women's Day.

Student presentation: analysis of the learning experience as a Women Studies minor that culminates in the integration of academic material and community engagement; suggestions for the feminist organizing.

Completed: Spring 2007

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Student's Name: Hana Kato

Faculty Advisor:

Community Advisor:

Community Organization: The Women's Alliance

Project Title: Designing a Feminist Website

This project entailed research and implementation of how a feminist website should be constructed in order to create an identity for the organization that reflects its commitment to feminism and sensitivity to sexuality and ethnicity.

Student activities included: research on visual representations of gender, class and ethnicity; examination of existing websites of women's organization; researching prominent female designers; internship with The Women's Alliance – as a practical example of how a feminist organization constructs and represents itself.

Project Presentation: A website that addressed the history of feminism and design. Its purpose was to make an accessible guide for thinking about feminist design.

Technology used: CSS, Flash, Illustrator, Photoshop, Hand Illustration.

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Student's Name: Paige Lamb

Faculty Advisor: Rosanne Kanhai

Community Advisor: Jeanette Palmer

Community Organization: Sea Mar Visions

Project Title: Visions: A Look at Alcoholism and Drug Dependency

This project required Paige’s active participation as an evening staff supervisor for patients at Sea Mar Visions, a facility serving adolescent females that are recovering from substance abuse. Per shift, Paige worked an average of five hours and supervised approximately fifteen patients.

Student activities include active engagement with patients: sat with patients during dinner; assisted patients with the completion of daily chores; played games with patients; encouraged communication between patients and staff members.

Project Presentation: A visual text which includes a series of reflections that speaks through illustrations and discussions of Paige’s active involvement in the project.

Completed: Summer 2007

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Student's Name: Michelle Rubano

Faculty Advisor: Rosanne Kanhai

Community Advisor: Aline Soundy

Community Organization: Community to Community Development

Project Title: Mujeres Para Un Pueblo Sano: Concinas Sanas and Las Margaritas

This project explores several connections between the food that we eat and related health issues such as: diabetes, hypertension, digestive problems, and obesity. Michelle worked closely with Concinas Sanas, a nutritional program designed to encourage healthy eating and lifestyles within Latina families. Healthy food outlets and options were introduced to project participants. The participants contributed their favorite recipes to a cookbook that was created in an effort to: boost the participants pride and self confidence; encourage relationships between the local farm workers and other members of the community; increase the awareness of healthy living and lifestyles; encourage community members to appreciate and financially support local farmers.

Student activities included: effective food preparation; the fostering of relationships between Latino Families and other members in the community through the appreciation of shared foods and recipes; research, develop, and implement practices of healthy eating and lifestyles.

Student Presentation was conducted through a demonstration of: her research work on holistic cures for some illnesses found present in participating members of the project; ways in which she actively developed the program’s curriculum; her careful research, examination, and finding of nutritional contents found in local produce.

Completed: Spring 2007

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Student's Name: Joshua O'Donnell

Faculty Advisor: Glenn Tsunokai

Community Advisor: Jennifer Mason

Community Organization: Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Support Services (DVSAS)

Project Title: Masculinity and the Creation of Healthy Outlets

This project aimed at young males and worked to create healthy outlets for emerging masculinity. It investigated the construction of masculinity in male youths, ages 12-16, in Whatcom County, and designed a series of workshops to address issues of masculinity, sexual assault, communication, relationships and consent.

Student activities included: research on the emotional and social literacy of male youth; co-presenting existing programs with Jennifer Mason of DVSAS at Whatcom Middle Schools.

Presentation: Outline for a Curriculum of a series of workshops; discussion of how the workshops were received.

Completed: Spring 2007

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Student's Name: Brooklyn Walter

Faculty Advisor: Shurla Thibou

Community Advisor: Catherine Chambers

Community Organization: The Women's Alliance

Project Title: A Place for the Feminist Organization

This project aimed at developing a Girls Leadership Program by understanding feminist organizing in Whatcom County, and developing a structure for outreach to girls and for working with youth.

Student activities included: researching non-profit and feminist organizations, assisting in the practical dynamics of hosting International Women's Day; creating a standard timeline for future celebration planners; creating a reference manual for the logistics of hosting the event.

Student presentation: a critical analysis of feminist leadership, collective decision making and processes, feminist language, challenges of diversity; outreach to the target population for the Girls Leadership Program

Completed: Spring 2007

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Student's Name: Janelle Wamre

Faculty Advisor: Rosanne Kanhai

Community Advisor: Kristin Hauser

Community Organization: Blue Skies for Children

Project Title: Volunteering at Blue Skies for Children

This project aimed at expanding knowledge of children in need in the Whatcom area, and gaining practical experience in enriching the lives of these children in a way that gives them dignity. The project brought Janelle in contact with immigrant families, mostly of Latino and Russian ancestry, thus developing her awareness of diversity and learning new communication skills.

Student activities included: research on the social and emotional adjustment of immigrant children; organizing clothes and helping children make selections; representing Blue Skies in community events.

Student Presentation: description of the history, objectives, structure, and activities of Blue Skies; the learning experience, volunteer journal.

Completed: Spring 2007

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Student's Name: Sarah Zaylor

Faculty Advisor: Teri McMurthy-Chubb

Community Advisor: Teri McMurthy-Chubb

Community Organization: Center for Law, Diversity and Justice, Fairhaven College

Project Title: Events Coordination at the Center for Law, Diversity and Justice

This project entailed working with the Director of the Center to coordinate events with the Bellingham community that focused on law, diversity and justice.

Student activities included: research on women and the law and ethnicity and the law; planning community events; raising awareness about issues such as domestic violence and women's access to the legal system; arranging brown bag luncheons; arranging student meetings with legal and social justice professionals in the community; assisting in hosting a conference on women and the law.

Completed: Spring 2007

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Student's Name: Kathryn Elroy

Faculty Advisor: Rosanne Kanhai

Community Advisor: Christina Carr

Community Organization: Planned Parenthood: Public Policy Department

This project researched current US policies that affect the feminization of AIDS in Brazil. Student activities will include: organizing an educational event that will provide the community with information on how government's policies affect women in the US and globally; attending meetings to educate herself and make herself part of Planned Parenthood; scheduling and executing meetings with leaders.

Estimated completion date: Winter 2008

Evaluation Form for Community Partner

Community Organization:

Community Adviser:

Student’s Name:

Title of Project:

Quarter and year:

Evaluation from Community Partner

Please evaluate this student using these guidelines: responsibility and commitment; ability to complete the assigned tasks; sensitivity to community related issues; ability to work with others in a community setting; contribution of ideas related to the project.

Signature of Community Adviser:______________________Date______

Evaluation Form for Faculty Adviser

Faculty and Department Affiliation:

Student’s Name:

Title of Project:

Quarter and year:

Evaluation from Faculty Advisor

Please evaluate this student using these guidelines: responsibility and commitment; compilation of relevant bibliography; critical analysis; synthesis of community and academic learning; any other criteria.

Faculty Signature:________________________________Date:_________

 

411 PROJECT – LOG SHEET

Student’s Name:

Project Title:

Community Advisor:

Date: mm/dd/yyyy	Time In	Time Out	Total # of Hours	Community Advisor’s Initial
			Total # of Hours:

Completion Date:

 

I CERTIFY THAT THE ABOVE HOURS I APPROVE THE ABOVE HOURS

ARE TRUE AND ACCURATE

____________________________________ _________________________________

Volunteer's Signature                                       Supervisor's Signature