Post Number Three

This week was interesting to say the least.  We were shown three videos that were quite vivid when it comes to human sexuality. Heres how I feel:

On September 20, Rob talked about a man named Alfred Kinsey, a man who talked about sexuality in a time when it was unheard of to speak about such a topic. Rob showed us part of the video, “Kinsey”.  Kinsey had performed a large scale survey regarding the topic of sexual behaviour. It was crazy to see how people were so unaware of their bodies and what they could do with them. In the movie, Kinsey talked about a study he had done on gall wasps and how every one of them were different. After the video clip Rob had asked us to answer this question, “What is Kinsey’s view on sexual normalcy?”My response was that Kinsey knew there is no normalcy! I think his purpose of the surveys and studies was to open the eyes of Americans to show them that sexual behaviour is experienced by everyone. I believe the reason the gall wasp study was mentioned in the film was to allow the audience to discover that it was a metaphor. Human’s sexuality in much like the gall wasps, all different!

On September 22, Unfortunately I was unable to make this class, however; I was lucky enough to receive the notes from a friend in the class and the link to the video clip that was shown from Rob. From the notes and video I believe this class was spent exploring the ideas of female anatomy and physiology through the social, cultural and political perspectives. After I watched the clip, “The Vagina Monologues: My Angry Vagina,” I was shocked! I felt this video clip was over exaggerated and vulgar. I felt that the video tried to talk about some very important issues regarding the female anatomy but the speaker over did the rest of the performance which I felt took away from any real concrete issues she was trying to bring awareness to. The speaker in the video was definitely speaking from a critical theoretic point of view as she was trying to talk about important world issues but went beyond just a scientific point of view.

On September 24, This class was spent focusing on the male anatomy and physiology through the social, cultural and political perspectives. We were shown a video called, “Private Dicks: Men Exposed.” This video was very professionally done. I felt this video was very eye opening as I am not experienced in the way men feel about themselves. It was interesting to see that men can struggle with their self esteem due to their body shapes just as much as women. I feel women are mainly insecure about their body shape and now I feel men are mainly insecure about the size of their penises. Now I don’t mean that all men are or that it is the only thing men can become insecure towards but I feel that it is something society has placed importance on for men. Just the same as how society has placed importance on women’s body shape and weight. This movie was seen from a situational interpretative perspective. It was different men speaking of their own lived experiences. Rob asked us how we compare the two films, “Vagina Monologues” and “Private Dicks,” to each other. I feel as if one film was full of exaggerated information and another was full of personal lived information. I feel to compare the two is unjust. They were so different however both are trying to bring awareness to human sexuality as our country is still blinded to the truth. Humans were born sexual beings and I believe bringing awareness to topics that have been taboo for years is something we must to do. I feel by allowing sexuality to be talked about it will avoid self esteem issues and misunderstandings about our bodies and what they do. I believe that many students are afraid or embarrassed about their bodies as they don’t understand what they are going through. Because our society has made this topic unmentionable, parents are unable to speak to their children about such a topic.

This week made it very clear how important this topic is and that we need to start teaching children about their bodies and that what they are going through is normal. I remember when my body started changing and I felt that I was weird and that I wasn’t like everyone else, which was exactly right! I am not like anyone else, I am me! Thanks for taking the time to read my blog!

Pro-Life Song & Video (Anti-Abortion)

It didn't take me long to find a video in relation to my last post. I found this video about Pro-Life. It made me think that this is something someone I would have interviewed would have put together. Although it is controversial it is a great video and again because I mention this topic or post this type of information on my blog does not mean it represents my beliefs on this topic. It is just simply a great representation of what Justin and I chose to question and respond to.

Click on the link below and see how it makes you feel. Please keep an open mind if you disagree with Pro-Life. Try to use Habermas' Situational Interpretive Perspective. Thanks! If you would like to you can comment on this post and let me know how it made you feel. Please be honest and professional.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Pla_MQNfQ0 

Post Number Two

This week in FAM 322 we talked about Habermas’ Paradigms (which is more than just two dimes ha-ha good one Rob), Principles of Critical Thinking and little intro into The Scientific Method. I would like to share my responses to the in-class activities.

On September 13, Rob went over Habermas’ paradigms in detail. Lucky for me this was a refresher. He then asked us to select any phenomenon relating to human sexuality and briefly explain how it “looks” from the perspectives of each paradigm. I chose to look at Sexual Attractiveness.  In my EDCM class last year we learnt about specific reasons people are attractive to each other. There are many reasons such as: Appearance, Similarity and Complimentary, Reciprocal Attraction, Competence, Self-Disclosure and Proximity. I chose to explore Habermas’ paradigms strictly looking at Appearance.

Empirical Analytical (Scientific Perspective) - There are reasons as to what men find physically attractive in women. Different cultures and individual preference play a huge role in why men would be attracted to women. For example some cultures prefer women that are a little heavier set and some men are attracted to women who have wider hips as they see this type of women as a great child bearer.

Critical Theoretic (Political Perspective, more to what you see) - I had a hard time thinking of an example for this perspective but Rob mentioned a great one in class. He used the example of why women feel the need to be slim to be attractive. I find it funny that they have done studies proving that men prefer women who have wider hips for child bearer yet our society plays such an importance on being skinny. Being a girl who does not fall into the category of skinny, I feel it can be hard to see myself as attractive. Society doesn’t accept that you have a little more to love.

Situational Interpretive (Lived Reality) -  I feel an some simple questions  you could ask girls in relation to Attractiveness is “What makes you feel beautiful?”, “What do you love most about your body?”, and “Why?”. There are many more questions you could ask women in regards to Attractiveness but those are just some ideas. The great thing about the Situational Interpretive Perspective is that it is so personal. Everybody goes through life differently. I find it amazing that no two people will ever live the same life.  Our world is complex and complicated. I believe that because we all have our own lived realities that this is why we have such diversity in the world, which isn’t a bad thing.

On September 15, Rob continued to teach Habermas’ paradigms. He also briefly touched on the Principles of Critical Thinking. During this class students were able to share with the class their responses to the activity from the previous class. Rob had used my topic as an example so I didn’t share mine with everyone. This class was great as it helped to understand Habermas even more than I did before.

On September 17, Rob explained in depth The Principles of Critical Thinking. This concept is new to me but seems almost like common sense. I feel it allows you to make sure you explore every aspect of something and it also allows you to base your opinion on facts rather than assumption. But I could be wrong I guess I need time to really work with the principles. They are as followed:

a.      Be skeptical

b.      Examine definition of terms

c.       Examine the assumptions of arguments

d.      Be cautious in drawing conclusions from evidence

e.      Consider alternative interpretations of research evidence

f.        Consider kinds of evidence

g.      Do not oversimplify

h.     Do not over generalize

Rob then asked to read a section in our text regarding The Scientific Method, get into small groups (my partner was Justin K.) and answer the following questions:

-         Please design a human sexuality research study using the scientific  method

o   What is your question?

§  Why do some people believe that abortion is murder?

o   What is your hypothesis?

§  Some People believe that to have an abortion after conception is considered murder.

o   How will you test the hypothesis?

§  Surveying different people who think abortion is murder and ask them why they feel that way.

o   What do you anticipate finding?

§  I anticipate on finding that the people who believe that abortion is murder feel very strongly towards the subject. I am sure these people will consider themselves pro-life. I am guessing that they believe as soon as conception takes place there is life and to get rid of the fetus is to murder the innocent life that cannot advocate for itself.

We chose a very controversial topic and our responses to the questions do not reflect our views on the matter.

Well that was this week in a nutshell. This week was a good week. School is starting to get busier and I am finding my courses this semester are going to keep me on my toes! I hope to post a video or song that pertains to this week somehow later today. Hope you enjoyed hearing about this week’s lessons in FAM 322! Thanks for taking the time to read... My Thoughts and My Beliefs :o)

Post Number One

Today in class Rob clarified what this blog assignment is for. This allows us to reflect on what we have learnt and what we think about the material. This blog will allow me to express myself and relate what we learn to my life and to my future life as an educator. We are to post whenever and whatever we would like as long as we can explain WHY. Why is it relevant and what importance does is place. I look forward to posting video clips, audio clips and other things that can answer the all mighty... WHY?

 Today in class Rob asked us to complete a writing assignment. He asked us these two questions:


1. What are some different ways one might look at human sexuality?
2. What are some different perspectives one can take? Please think of three and be prepared to explain one.

I had a hard time answering these questions as I am still not sure exactly what human sexuality is. Human sexuality can be broken down into many different parts. Other students in the class had some great answers which included: sexual orientation, age groups, government influence and even culture. There are so many factors that can affect human sexuality. I hope to learn more about what these factors are and the reasons why they influence human sexuality. For my benefit, because I took FAM 315 last semester with Rob I know that he will be teaching Habermas’ paradigms and ask us to view the information through these perspectives. Habermas had three main perspectives:

 - Empirical- Analytical (Scientific Paradigm)
- Critical Theoretic (Political paradigm)
- Situational Interpretive (Persons lived reality)

I hope to keep an open mind throughout this class and will try to use each one of Habermas’ paradigms to understand the material.
Stay tuned... I will try to post after each class but I know with the demanding life of a student this may not always be possible. I will at least post every week! Thanks for taking the time to read... My Thoughts and My Beliefs :o)

10 Yeard Old Dalton! Couldn't Say it Better Myself!!!

Check this video out! He makes it very clear why I want to be a teacher! Students need us and I can't wait to help!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZm0BfXYvFg

Day One

Well today was my first class of FAM 322 (Human Sexuality) and I am nothing but excited to be in this class. However, I am nervous about starting a blog but I am just going to be myself and honest. I feel blessed that I for the third time will get to spend this semester learning from one of the most passionate teachers I have ever had the honour of meeting. He has inspired me to pour myself into my education and give nothing but my utmost best. His passion is most definitely contagious! I'm not sure as to what exactly he wants us to post or how often we need to be making posts but I look forward to sharing my new knowledge and applying it to my planned profession.