SPRING COMMON HOUR PROGRAMS TO FOCUS ON GENDER ROLES

"Gender Bending: Beyond Sex Roles and Stereotypes" is the theme for the spring Common Hour Program at Southeast Missouri State University.

The theme focuses on the social construction of gender and how it affects the way we interact with each other today and throughout history.

"The theme of gender bending should not be seen as women's issues," said Lisa Peden, coordinator of Student Life Studies at Southeast. "We are actively seeking programs that address men's issues, as well as anything that addresses the evolving gender roles that have accelerated during the last century." "Our first program of the spring semester was highly successful, with students raising interesting and thoughtful questions, making it a truly interactive forum," said Peden.

Bobbi Morris, a nurse practitioner at the Center for Health and Counseling, and the Rev. J. Friedel of Catholic Campus Ministries, presented the first All-Campus Common Hour program, "Barefoot and Pregnant No More: How Women's Reproductive Health Issues Have Impacted Gender Roles."

Dr. Berrin Beasley, assistant professor in the Department of Mass Communication, will make a presentation Wednesday in Academic Auditorium titled "Happy Homemaker vs. Happy Hooker: How Women are Portrayed in Advertising." This presentation uses current examples to demonstrate how advertising objectifies women's bodies, sexualizes young girls and categorizes women as either sex objects or "homely matrons."

Also on Wednesday, Mary Mosely also will present "ERA What Is It and Why Hasn't It Been Ratified?" in the University Center Ballroom from noon to 1 p.m.

Laura Evans from Communications Resource and formerly an international sales award winner for Dale Carnegie Training will present "Bitter or Better: Stretching the Comfort Zone" March 1 in Academic Auditorium.

On March 29, three concurrent Common Hour programs are scheduled. Cheryl Mothis of Edward Jones will present "Earning the Power/The Power of Earning: Financial Success for Women (and others who care to learn!)" in the University Center Missouriana Room. "What Gender is God?" will be presented by the Association of Campus Ministries in the University Center Ballroom. A presentation by Sexual Violence Network will be shown in Crisp Hall Room 125.

"Gender Relations: Do We Really Want Equality?" will be presented in Academic Auditorium April 5.

On April 19 in Academic Auditorium, Dr. Bonnie Stepenoff, Dr. Stephanie Chamberlain, Dr. Debrah Raschke and Dr. Dean Shackelford will present "Revamping Dracula: Sex and Power in the Female Vampire." A showcase of winners of a student contest will be held during Common Hour May 3 in Glenn Auditorium in Dempster Hall. The contest invites students to conduct a research experiment, compose any form of creative writing, write an opinion or an editorial, or create artwork of any media to explore some facet of gender relations.

Common Hour is held every Wednesday during the noon hour, when no classes are scheduled. The program provides students, faculty and staff the opportunity to develop a sense of community by participating in a variety of intellectually stimulating, socially relevant activities related to a common theme throughout the semester.