Pulse Blog Entry

 1. Using plenty of adjectives and also lyrics from a popular song, describe your impressions of the course so far. How would you describe your experience of the readings, screenings, lectures, discussions (Twitter and in class)?

                My overall feeling in relation to the course is definitely positive and far better than I expected. In fact, I am quite glad that I enrolled in this class. However, with all due respect, I personally have no unique attachment to the topics discussed in class. Lady Gaga's "Born This Way" contains positive lyrics that can relate to gender and sexuality concerns:

[Chorus:]

I'm beautiful in my way
'Cause God makes no mistakes
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born this way
Don't hide yourself in regret
Just love yourself and you're set
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born this way

Nonetheless, the readings, lectures, and discussions have made me more open-minded in regards to gender and sexuality concerns.

 2. Has the course material challenged, reinforced, surprised, baffled, you-fill-in-the blank, your existing ideas about gender, sexuality, and media representations? Please remember that you have seen a range of media representations in this class -- mainstream and independent and or "alternative."

                The course has challenged my thoughts every day since I've been enrolled in it. Like I have stated above, thanks to ideas discussed and explored in this course I have become more open-minded in regards to gender and sexuality. By being exposed to material that can be uncomfortable for a lot of people, I have been granted an opportunity to grow both mentally and emotionally. On a side note, I particularly enjoyed two of our recent viewings, explicitly the videos which portrayed two distinct women in different situations. One depicted a woman's portrayal of Barbie and another showed a woman filling in for a sick teacher. What I enjoyed about these videos was the fact that the women had opposite personalities, one was intelligent and bubbly, and the other was unintelligent and confident.  

 3. What has been the single most engaging reading/topic so far and why?

                The single most engaging reading/topic so far has been the one that dealt with "the bathroom problem." The bathroom system in our society is a clear indicator of one of our many societal values, specifically the notion that gender is binary. We are either male or female. The reason this particular topic was so engaging for me was due to the fact that I have encountered someone in the men's bathroom that was not easy to categorize as a male. I was taken aback momentarily, but I continued about my business normally.     

 4. What has been the single most difficult reading/topic so far and why?

                It is not easy for me to recall a particular reading/topic that was difficult for me thus far, however I believe we discussed some difficult material during the first few weeks of class. Or, it could just be the fact that it was during that period I was exposed to concepts I never discussed before, and I required some time to warm up to the material to come.