IT WAS TOTALLY AWESOME!!! LOL
About two summers ago I took a Women Studies course at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, under the instruction of a lady named Kate Gramlich. Little did I know that summer would take me on a rollercoaster ride, ending up with me labeling my self as a feminist, becoming more cultured with womens activism, and sticking it to the “man,” by going a whole month without shaving my legs. A WHOLE MONTH IN THE SUMMER WHILE STILL WEARING SHORTS! AHH unbelievable I know. But here’s the thing, this teacher not only taught the women’s studies course but lived it. Which is what brought me back, sitting in the front row of yet another Women’s Studies course under her instruction.
WMST 491 Cyber-feminism, was the most influential, provocative, yet laid back course I have ever taken and the crazy part is, with little structure and a shocking low amount of major assignments, I have to say that this is one of the classes in 4 years that I feel I will take the most from. We learned the ins and outs of how feminism functions and lives in the virtual world. How women (and men) build their fan base, the type of articles they write, and I didnt know what the heck being “child-free” was about. (If you don’t know, I’d encourage you to look it up, pretty amazing and legit stuff) Nevertheless, in a class with only 7 students, I swear we discussed more with 7 than my Sociology class with about 35. :-O Yep, I’d have to say a huge part of that has to do with the inviting nature that Kate lets off in all of her class, I mean for goodness sake I added her on Facebook. Who adds teacher onto their personal Facebook page? Exactly! And I know what you may be thinking, the teacher had a professional page…aaahhaa, NO she added us to her personal page, and you wouldn’t believe how often this woman updates, its pretty awesome.
So why am I going on and on about this course and this teacher named Kate….Because it “fuckin” rocked!!! I always felt happy going to the class and typing posts for it on my blog. It also is an amazing feeling when you can be open and honest in a class and a teacher not judge you.
On another note: I’m a little bummed that she’s moving to Kansas in a few days, HOWEVER, toooo excited I am one out of a tone here in Carbondale that is actually from Kansas City. Gonna have to take a couple of random trips home to catch up with family and check in on my once teacher, but more like friend Ms. Gramlich and her adorable kittens.
By far this course, woman, and blog post is the most exciting that I’ve posted in a while. Don’t think too many more of these will come. But then again I graduate in 10 days…So no more BORING TEACHERS!!! Woot Woot.
Until Next Time,
Peace, Love, & Feminism,
-Kiara Ann
Kiara Ann 