Fat Talk: A Feminist Perspective

This is part of our Campus Spotlight on Appalachian State University.
This is part of our special feature, Me Who? The Audibility of a Social Movement.

Course Objective: This honors topics course will entail in depth study of fat talk and body snarking. The first half of the course will follow the textbook including student presentations that include chapter overviews and more in-depth presentation of a scientific study within the chapter. The first half of the semester will also focus on students completing their research papers that include a full draft in order to receive feedback from me, then followed by an improved draft for grading. The second half of the semester will be devoted to students presenting their research papers to the class to teach fellow students about these controversial modern-day topics. The papers and presentations should follow the paper rubric found in section #3 below.

Student Learning Outcomes: The purpose of this course is to take the contemporary social psychological phenomena of fat talk and body snarking to examine them through scientific and a feminist/political lens. The following include the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) that students should acquire, rehearse, or master in this course:

Gain more in-depth study of a variety of research and statistical methodologies as we work our way through the chapters
Gain an appreciation for how science can be compiled to tell thematic stories of a cultural phenomena
How to critically weigh both/all sides of a modern social/political controversy
Reviewing history of a topic and how the 2+ sides evolved over time
How to examine the ethical and social impact of a topic
How to use google scholar to best obtain a comprehensive compilation of science
How to research a topic and respond to specific prompts using a rubric
How to use faculty feedback for scientific content and APA writing skills
How to listen to and discuss controversy with others with respect (honor “safe-spaces”)
Practice professional presentation skills on multiple occasions
Practice oral response skills to questions in class discussion and for the final exam

Text: Martz, D. (2019). Fat Talk: A Feminist Perspective. Jefferson, NC: McFarland Publishers.

On reserve at the library, available for purchase at McFarland or Amazon, or available for purchase with a 25% discount directly from me ($30).

Chapter Reflections

Students will be expected to submit a personal and thoughtful, 1-page, single-spaced reflection paper for the book preface and each of the nine book chapters by Monday 5:00 PM the week of those student presentations. Students who are presenting will, thus, be able to assume that students have read the material in order to teach more in-depth scientific methodology from one study featured in the chapter. This will also allow for “higher order” discussion. These 10 assignments will be turned in on ASULearn and will each count for 1-point for a total of 10% of your grade.

Class Fat Talk Chapter Presentation

Each student will be assigned to lead the class in discussion for a portion of the book.

This presentation will be graded with the following rubric.

Fat Talk: Book Chapter Presentation Leadership

Good chapter overview5 pt
Chosen study: research methodology, statistics, results, and meaning presented thoroughly to teach fellow classmates 10 pt
Professional/ captivating presentation style, provocative questions for fellow classmates, maintained interesting discussion 5 pt

Potential Total Points = 20

Class Paper Rubric

Fat Talk: A Feminist Perspective Paper Criteria Rubric

Birth, history, & modern-day status of controversy 5 pt
Both/all sides covered fully and without bias 5 pt
What does the dogma/tradition say? Is there evidence for the dogma? 5 pt
Ethics, morality, financial/social/environmental impact 3 pt
What does the science say? Is there strong evidence for these opinions? 5 pt
What data/information is missing? What would it take to get this? 5 pt
Total APA Format (6^th edition) -abstract, scholarly references, scholarly & Professional scientific writing style 2pt

Potential Total Points = 30

APA Subheaders are highly suggested for your paper

APA format precision is expected

Title Page

Abstract

Title (Brief intro to follow foreshadowing paper)

History of Topic/Controversy

Birth & evolution

Side #1

Side #2

Side #3?

Modern Day Stance

Dogma/Tradition of Topic/Evidence for these Opinions

Impact of Topic

Ethics & Morality

Financial/Social/Environmental Impact

Science of Topic

What Don’t We Know?

What would it take to gather this information/science?

Conclusion

References

Student Projects Topic Possibilities- Each student will have a unique topic

Children separated from parents
Government supported contraception
Human generated climate change
Prison reform
Media treatment of women political candidates
Opioid prevention or treatment
Vaccines & autism
LGBT adoption rights
Gender identity & antidiscrimination laws
Women in combat
Transgender athletes & competition
Family leave in the workplace
Religious freedom act- can businesses deny services?
Gun rights vs. gun control
Minimum wage
Border security
Male circumcision
Late term abortion
Medicare for all citizens
Human euthanasia
Marital rape laws
Sex education in the schools
Antidepressant effectiveness
Legalization of cannabis
Planned Parenthood funding
Insurance and contraception coverage
Death penalty
Gender workplace diversity
Women leaders in clergy
Electoral College reform
Racial profiling
Homeschooling
Campaign finance reform
Impact of #MeToo

Class Paper Presentation

Paper Presentation

Topic well researched and paper sections fully covered 10 pt

Professional/ captivating presentation style 10 pt

Student created provocative questions for fellow students & managed discussion well 10 pt

Potential Total Points = 30

Group Oral Final Exam

Students will submit questions to me by the last day of class about the Fat Talk Book and the Topics covered in class papers. These questions will be meant to meta-analyze themes presented in the course. Students will be invited to answer two questions one-by-one. Each student is allowed one “pass” if that is not a preferred question. If a student makes a “pass,” then that question is up for grabs by the student who requests it first.

This exam is not meant to spur competition. It is intended to allow students to practice answering questions using a “real world” format, as opposed to how you have been trained in education to respond with essays or multiple-choice exams. It is also an opportunity for the entire class to compile information shared throughout the semester to better understand themes and patterns for the topics that have been discussed.

Oral Final Exam

Student was well-informed in question response 5 pt

Student articulated response well 5 pt

Potential Total Points = 10

Calendar

Week

Date

Monday

Due Dates

5:00 PM

Tuesday

Class

Thursday

Class

Jan. 13^th

Syllabus & Assignments

Book Preface & Fat Talk Overview

Jan 20^st

How to research & write class paper

Paper Topic Preferences Due

In class paper research & consultation

Jan 27^th

Preface Reflection

Book Preface & Fat Talk Overview

Feb 3rd

Chapter 1 Reflection

Ch. 1 Evolution FT (1^st 11 pages):

Ch. 1 Why beauty is relevant? (last 11 pages):

Feb 10^th

Chapter 2 Reflection

Ch. 2 Culture of Fat Talk:

Ch. 3 When FT Got a Name:

Feb 17^th

Chapter 3 & 4 Reflections &

Paper Draft for Feedback

Ch. 4 Consequences of Fat Talk:

Group Paper Feedback & Discussion

Feb 24^th

Chapter 5 & 6 Reflections

Ch. 5 Who are the Fat Talkers?

Ch. 6 Invasion of Snarking & Fat Stigma

March 2nd

Chapter 7 Reflection

Ch. 6 Popular Culture & Politics:

Ch. 7 Other Women Like It, But I Don’t:

March 9^th

Spring Break – No Class

March 16^th

Chapter 8 & 9 Reflections & Final Paper for Grade

Ch. 8 Feminism & Personal Effects

Ch. 9 Feminine Targeting Feminine Enemies

March 23^rd to

April 27^th

Presentations

May 4th

Group Oral Final Exam

Thursday May 7th @ 11:00