Instructions INTERVIEW ESSAY You will interview a woman of a different generation than your own (a woman at least 14 years older than you). You will then write a paper that analyzes and reflects on he

Instructions

INTERVIEW ESSAY

You will interview a woman of a different generation than your own (a woman at least 14 years older than you). You will then write a paper that analyzes and reflects on her life, with reference to our Course Readings and Course Concepts. Note: Possible interview questions and a sample Interview will be provided.

Purpose: The Interview assignment allows you:

• to practice the research method of oral history;
• to examine the impact of institutions and ideologies in the life of an individual female, including her resistance to these factors;
• to apply WMST 1116 Course Concepts and WMST

1116 Course Readings in your analysis;

• to reflect on your own values, beliefs, and learning process doing this assignment.

How to do the Interview:

• Select your Interviewee by wk 5 (Oct. 5). But do not do the interview before week 6 (Oct. 12). The assignment is due wk 9 (Sun., Nov. 8).
• Choose a woman to interview. Ask her for permission to interview and write about her. Explain the project, establish ground rules for confidentiality (a pseudonym will be used to protect her privacy), and agree on a time and setting for the interview. A consent form will be provided. If you are able to meet in person, please do so.
• Try to arrange an uninterrupted time of at least 2 hours. You may need to do a follow-up session.
• Develop a set of questions before the interview, yet be willing to deviate from your script. Your goal is to examine the impact of factors such as gender roles, class, ethnicity, sexuality, family life, motherhood, migration, and work in her life. Not all these factors, but a few relevant ones.
• Be prepared to take notes during the interview. Tidy them up soon afterwards so you don't forget what was said. Also write down your initial responses to the interview (your insights, reactions).

Writing the Interview / Evaluation Criteria:

• Apply an intersectional feminist interpretation to the woman's life. Do this by using WMST 1116 Course Concepts and referring in a meaningful, explicit way to at least three WMST 1116 Course Readings. Do not use resources or sources from outside WMST 1116.
• Begin with a brief summary: Say whom you interviewed (please use a culturally appropriate pseudonym). Say how you know her, why you selected her, and how well you think the interview went for both of you.
• Give a thumbnail description of the woman: Her age, birthplace, family status, ethnic and/or cultural background, paid occupation if applicable, etc.
• Identify and discuss a major theme that emerged from your reflections on her life. In general, you will consider the effects of institutions, ideologies, economics, politics, and cultural factors on her experience as a female in society. How did she negotiate these factors? In her life, what were some of the limitations and opportunities? How did she comply and/or resist?
• Describe your own learning process: Did anything surprise you? Did you need to re-think your belief or attitude about something? What would you like to explore or understand better, if anything?

Mechanics:

• Write 1,500-1,600 words. 1.5 line spacing, 12-pt type,.doc or .docx file format.
• Give a "Works Cited" list at the end (not included in word count). 

Interview Assignment - Women's Studies 1116

See the Course Outline for details of this assignment.

Don't write your Interview essay until you have a good grasp of what is expected.

Below is a list of *possible* questions. Do not ask all of them!

Pay attention to what the woman says about her life as you are talking together.

Let your questions flow from the conversation.

Possible Questions:

• When and where was she born? How did she come to be living where she now lives?
• Early life (possible questions):
• What stands out for her about her childhood?
• What were her family's expectations of her?
• How did her family make a living? Her mother's work? Her father's work?
• What kind of schooling did she have?
• Was she ever displaced or forced to move around as a child?
• Did she feel at ease with being a girl? With being assigned female - or male -- at birth?
• Did she have a brother(s)? If so, how were they raised differently from her (if at all)?
• Growing up and making a life (possible questions):
• Did she have plans or goals for her life - and was she able to work towards them?
• What were her major choices? How does she feel about them now?
• What life choices or options were readily available to her?
• Were there any major barriers or obstacles in her life?
• What was the impact of large-scale political events, or social and economic upheavals?
• What kinds of paid and unpaid work has she done, and what are her thoughts on this?
• What decisions did she make about love? relationships? marriage or partnership? Were there any choices she would make differently, given another chance?
• Sexuality: Any significant choices or transformations in this area of her life?
• Gender identity: Any significant choices or transformations in this dimension of her life?
• Does she have children? What were (or are) her choices and experiences as a mother?

Was she able to raise her children as she wanted to?

• What about issues of birth control? abortion? miscarriage? infertility?
• What is the role of community and/or extended family in her life?
• In what ways has she felt strong and accomplished in her life? Who gives her support?
• In what ways has she felt held back, thwarted, or unsupported in her life?
• Was she part of (or affected by) the women's movement? By another social justice movement?
• What are the major satisfactions in her life? the major dissatisfactions?
• As she grows older, what new issues are arising in her life?
• What does she notice most about how the world has changed for girls and young women in her lifetime?
• Other questions that interest you and are relevant to this assignment.