Professor: Rosenbaum Course format: Seminar Number of respondents: 13 Total Enrollment: 14 Class Composition: Froshs: 1 Sophs: 12 Jrs: 1 Srs: 0 Concs: 1 Non-Concs: 9 Don't Know: 3

Instructor Average: 1.48 Course Average: 1.30

Interested in the female body and how it plays a role in our society? In the course, “Our Bodies, Ourselves,” the course brings students to a deeper understanding of how society’s and women’s perceptions of the female body has changed, and how these changes tie into women’s bodies as a reflection of culture. There are no prerequisites for this course, but one class member noted, “ a prior knowledge of feminist movements, and theory might allow you to appreciate the material more.”

Students wrote that Professor Rosenbaum was a wonderful discussion facilitator for this seminar class. Students thought that she asked thought-provoking questions that resulted in a good discussions. Members of the class felt that the professor created a comfortable environment for the exploration of ideas, and redirected the class when they got off track. One student confirmed, “She knows a lot, which is very effective, and had something in response to everyone who shared.” Some of the students felt it would have been a better use of time if she had talked more about background information. As for accounting for the students’ interests, they reported that she directed the class based on the interests and questions of her students, and she was always available and accessible for extra help. The written work for this class consisted of six one-page response papers, two 5 to 6 page papers based on assigned questions, and one 8 to 10 page research paper. The survey respondents found these assignments to be fair, and if anything, they wrote that would have liked for the papers to have been longer. They rated the assigned readings as amazing. A student summed them up by commenting, “ All of them were very useful; very applicable to real, non-academic life.”

The reading each week took about 2 to 3 hours each week, and then the papers added on more time depending on the required length. All of the reviewers recommended that others take this course. Class members also remarked that Judith Rosenbaum is a great instructor and any class with her would be worthwhile.

View AC/0019 in the Brown Online Course Announcement.