Fake Antennae, Real Threats: Speculative Fiction and Kirby’s “A Few Normal Things That Happen a Lot” as a Pedagogical Tool for Teaching About Sexual Victimization and Related Concepts

Abstract

The purpose of this assignment is to use Gwen E. Kirby’s work of speculative fiction “A Few Normal Things That Happen a Lot” to teach about sexual victimization and related concepts. Kirby’s short story vividly details the subtle and overt “normal” sexism and threats of violence women experience as they navigate their day-to-day lives. Most...

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Details

Subject Area(s):

Criminology/Delinquency, Sex and Gender

Resource Type(s):

Assignment, PowerPoint

Class Level(s):

Advanced Graduate, College 300, College 400, Graduate

Class Size(s):

Any

Usage Notes

The Short-Answer Essay Assignment measures student understanding of sexual victimization and related concepts, including: sexual harassment, toxic masculinity, rape culture, victim blaming, #MeToo Movement, and cancel culture. The questions are ordered to build off each other and create a deepening...

Learning Goals and Assessments

Learning Goal(s):

1. Goal #1: Students will be able to define speculative fiction and distinguish it from fiction.
2. Goal #2: Students will be able to explain the relevance of speculative fiction to sociology.
3. Goal #3: Students will be able to demonstrate their understanding of sexual victimization and related concepts by accurately applying them to the otherworldly scenarios described Kirby’s speculative fiction short story “A Few Normal Things That Happen a Lot.”

Goal Assessment(s):

1. Goal #1 may be assessed using the Short-Answer Essay Assignment (Question #s 1 and 2)
2. Goal #2 may be assessed using the Short-Answer Essay Assignment (Question #s 3-10)
3. All goals may be assessed using the in-class discussion.