Together We Can: Sexual Violence, Gender, and Responsibility
Topics: sexual violence, socialization, language, gender performance, social change, responsibility to self and community Learn about sexual violence and how to prevent it through an examination of the cultural ideologies, attitudes and behaviors that allow it to flourish. This lecture is easily adaptable for both novice and advanced audiences.
Topics: sexual violence, masculinity, male responsibility, bystanders, creating dialogues between men, activism Sexual violence is primarily perpetrated by men, but most men are not actively engaged in ending it. This lecture helps men understand the causes of sexual violence, and their crucial role in its prevention. This lecture is particularly valuable for helping men find ways to engage in productive and satisfying dialogues with other men.
Topics: masculinity, gender, popular culture, representation, bystanders, social norms, cultural studies, discourse, critical thinking, media analysis, socialization, hegemony The deconstruction of masculinity in popular culture provides valuable analytical tools for challenging unhealthy social norms. This lecture allows participants to engage in a cultural analysis of how masculinity is represented, and how that representation so frequently has negative repercussions in men’s lives.
Making Life Easier: Changing Culture to Help Survivors of Sexual Violence
Topics: sexual violence, advocacy, socialization, victim dynamics, language, victimization and blame, social change When survivors of sexual violence come forward with their stories they are often met with doubt, disbelief, and even hostility from the culture around them. Identify the cultural myths about sexual violence that facilitate this lack of safe space and learn different techniques to challenge them. This program is of particular use to those working directly with victims, residence halls, and those training advocates.
Topics: bullying, violation, abuse, bystanders, language use, verbal self-defense, classroom engagement Bullying takes many forms and poses serious challenges for those trying to prevent and respond to it. An examination of the cultural attitudes that allow bullying to flourish provides the basis for this lecture, which also provides relevant intervention and prevention techniques.
It’s No Joke: The Cultural Acceptability of Stalking
Topics: stalking, victim dynamics, violation, abuse, bystanders, popular culture, critical thinking, media analysis, cultural studies Stalking is a serious problem that is all too often ignored or mocked—particularly in popular culture. Victims suffer unique trauma and are often subject to other types of violence when the stalking goes unchecked. This analysis examines representations of stalking and proposes practical tools for educating on this serious topic.
Before It Happens: Realistic Strategies for Preventing Relationship Violence
Topics: relationship violence, domestic violence, bullying, gender, social/interpersonal power dynamics, victim dynamics, racism, classism, male involvement Relationship violence is endemic in our society. Its victims know no gender, race, class, or border. This lecture looks at the systemic causes of this violence, and through that examination, provides practical solutions to prevent it in our daily lives. Of particular use for Residence Halls, Domestic Violence Shelters/Services, and outreach programming for those not familiar with the topic.
The Hiding: A Conversation About Male Victims of Relationship Violence
Topics: relationship violence, domestic violence, bullying, gender inclusivity, third-wave feminism, social justice, male involvement, cultural studies Conversations about relationship/domestic violence often focus on a paradigm within which men are viewed primarily as perpetrators, and women are viewed primarily as victims. This lecture focuses on altering that paradigm to both acknowledge that men are, in fact, frequent victims of such violence, and to help alter the cultural attitudes and myths that ignore this reality. Of particular use for agencies charged with domestic violence prevention, response, and advocacy, as well as men’s rights organizations.
Women on the Move: A Brief History of Feminism from 1950-Today
Topics: feminism, women’s history, activism, social justice, male involvement, cultural studies Explore the history of feminism & social justice movements in the U.S. to understand how these movements have shaped our culture and can influence the future
