UNIV 199: M.O.S.A.I.

C (1 unit) Credit/No Credit

MONDAY 12-12:50 Semillon Pavillion
Spring 2014
Instructor: Bianca Zamora
E-mail: zamorab@seawolf.sonoma.edu Cell Phone: 760-636-8308
Office Hours: Available by appointment.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course will examine how the big eight of diversity influence a persons positionality in society.
Students will examine how power and privilege are reflected in media and popular culture. Students
will be able to deconstruct stereotypes and representations of underrepresented groups and make
connections to the M.O.S.A.I.C. seals in their role as agents of change. This course requires students to
be able to articulate their viewpoints-as it is a discussion based course. In addition, students will be
asked to participate in out of class events where they will be able to act as agents of change. Students
will gain leadership, academic and professional skills.
M.O.S.A.I.C Seals
Service and Civic Engagement
Embracing Diversity
Academic Excellence
Leadership and Personal Development
Social Responsibility and Social Justice
GOALS
To understand how power and privilege operate.
To illustrate how students can act as agents of change in their community.
To become familiar with diverse forms of cultural expression and activist practices.
CLASS POLICIES
Grading: All classroom requirements must be met. Failure to do so will result in NO CREDIT.
Classroom Behavior: Students are expected to show respect to the comments and positions of the
instructor and their fellow students. As a courtesy to your instructor and your fellow students, every
effort should be made to arrive on-time. Lateness is disruptive to the entire class.
Syllabus: The syllabus is your guide to the course. I reserve the right to adjust the syllabus .
Classroom Accommodations: If you are a student with a disability and think you may need
accommodations for this course, be sure to register with the Disabled Student Services office, located
in Stevenson 1038, phone (707) 664-2677, to receive written authorization. Bring authorization forms
to the instructor during the first few weeks of the semester BEFORE any accommodations are needed.

Grading
Points
Class participation and attendance
50
Vagina Monologues Attendance
30
Tunnel of Oppression Participation
50
One on One (2 per semester)
20
Total*
150 points
****This is a CREDIT/NO CREDIT course
REQUIREMENTS
Attendance and Participation(50 points)
Class attendance and participation. Students will receive points for attending class and participating in
class activities and discussion. Students are allowed two excused absences. Students who miss more
than two classes will receive. Every two tardies will be equivalent to one absence. NO CREDIT.
Vagina Monologues Attendance (30 points)
Students will be required to attend one of the performances of the Vagina Monologues at Sonoma State
University. The performances are on the following dates: March 7, 8 and 9th in the Cooperage from 7-9
p.m. Tickets are available for purchase in the Student Center for $5.00. Purchace your tickets in a
timely manner as seats are on a first come first serve basis. Students must bring a ticket to class as
proof of attendence.
Tunnel of Oppression(50 points)
The tunnel of oppression is an event put on by student organizations. The Tunnel of Oppression is an
educational event that strives to teach the community about historical oppressions of different
communities. There will be different rooms within this tunnel that organizations will be able to put up.
Students are required to work as a class or collaborate with another student organization to create a
room or have the option of acting as a helping hand to any exhibit of the tunnel. We want to bring
awareness of oppression of different groups and want to have different communities presented. For
example, your class may want to focus on the history of racial discrimination of a specific group,
religious intolerance, oppression against the LGBTQ community or oppression of women and rape
culture. Students can express each room with images, decorations, different kinds of media and even
have live people participate in it and will be provided funds to do so. In addition to creation of a room
in the Tunnel of Oppression, students will be required to lead one shift of a tour of the tunnel. The
tunnel will be a weeklong event. The tunnel will be 'running' from April 4th-April 11th from
approx. 12pm-5pm with one of those days being open for extended hours from 5pm-9pm. The tunnel
will be on the third floor of the Student Center in the grand ballroom. Students will be required to help
set up a room Saturday/Sunday before the tunnel and help with take down on Friday after the Tunnel of
Oppression. Some out of class meeting will be required; dates are TBA.
One on One
Students will be required to have two one on ones with the instructor. The first will be completed by
Feb. 28th. The second is to be completed by April 30th. Meeting will be scheduled in class.
Unit 1: Understanding Positionality, Power, and Privilege
1/13 Week 1: Introduction to the Course _

1/20 Week 2: NO CLASS! M. Luther King Jr.s Birthday day

1/27 Week 3: Racial constructions in the media. PART 1
2/3 Week 4: Racial constructions in media. PART II
2/10 Week 5: Gendered and Sexual identity constructions in the media of women.
2/17 Week 6: Gendered and Sexual identity constructions in the media of men.
2/24 Week 7: Consequences of sterotypes workshop
Unit II: Social Change and Responsibility
3/3 Week 8: Agents of change?
How do we become agents of change? Tunnel Topics
(*******Attend Vagina Monologues this week)
3/10 Week 9: Rape culture, Vagina Monologues and Gender practices around sexuality
Promotion of rape culture and constructed gendered identities withing social media. E-News and music
videos.
3/17 Week 10: NO CLASS SPRING BREAK
3/24 Week 11: Preprare for Tunnel of Oppression
3/31 Week 12: NO CLASS Cesar Chavezs Birthday
4/07 Week 13: Tunnel of Oppression
Class walk through Tunnel of Oppression. (Building and tour guide responsibilities this week as
well)
4/14 Week 14: Interview skills, Professionalism and Resemes
4/21 Week 15: Leadership Lesson I
4/28 Week 16: Leadership Lesson Part II