SWMS 210 in Retrospect

With the final week of classes approaching, I’ve looked back on this class specifically and I appreciate everything I’ve learned. When first registering for classes, I chose this class because it fit into my schedule and the course title sounded interesting. I had never taken a gender studies class and I thought it would be, if anything, a good experience. At the end of the semester, I can honestly say that I really enjoyed this class, and I learned so much more than I thought I would, about a vast number of topics. Manifestos, feminist movements, body image, heterosexuality vs. homosexuality, masculinity, I feel like I received an interesting and comprehensive understanding of what gender studies actually is, and I’m even thinking about minoring in it because I really liked this class and what I learned. 

One of the things I really like about this class was that everything I learned was applicable in real life. Sometimes, what we learn in the classroom doesn’t necessarily translate into the real world. But with this class, I could apply all the ideas to everyday interactions, ideas in the media, and television shows/movies. Being able to see the world with a more cultured perspective is something that I will really value. I’ve never agreed with the “ignorance is bliss” concept, and while sometimes the ideas we learn in class may reveal a side of society that we may be uncomfortable with facing, I believe that it’s better to be aware of these issues – whether it be anorexia/bulimia, the traditional male/female roles, or the Disney princesses/color pink marketing – than go through life ignorant because these ideas are what mold and shape society. I would definitely recommend this class to people, it was definitely a great experience.