Registration for Fall 2016 classes is right around the corner. It can sometimes be hard when trying to select courses, and not really understanding what the course is about or who is actually teaching the course. Rate My Professor can only go so far when trying to select courses with exceptional instructors. If you are looking for a communication course this fall with a bomb professor, look no further than COMM 5000-Strategic Feminist Communication with Robin Jensen.
Robin E. Jensen is an Associate Professor in the U’s Department of Communication. She instructs multiple undergraduate and graduate level courses. The undergraduate level courses that Jensen instructs focus on analyzing communication in a range of different fields.
Strategic Feminist Communication is a newly added addition to Jensen’s list of classes and has only been available for one semester so far. This course is not only highly entertaining due to its various uses of historical media, but it teaches students how to analyze feminist behaviors throughout the three waves of feminism.
If the course description doesn’t quite pull you in, Jensen’s witty and spunky personality definitely will. Her lecture style is quite conversational, and she never comes to class without a smile on her face. This big bonus of having Jensen as an instructor is that she will keep you laughing and wanting to learn more.
Her Campus Utah: What is your favorite thing about teaching this course?
RJ: I really love the discussions in this course, that specifically emerge from the articles. The articles are fun. I think they [have] a lot of interesting ideas. The thing that I love the most is opening up those ideas to the class. I never know exactly where [the discussion] is going to go, and usually people bring up ideas that I hadn’t even thought of. It expands my sense of how to apply these issues and what they mean in the present day. To have students who are young and vibrant people is really fun and it keeps it fresh. It makes me excited for what’s to come.
Her Campus Utah: When you put together this course what did you try to keep in mind so that students would stay interested, entertained and also wanting to learn more
RJ: I like to have a really clear agenda. I like to make sure students are doing the readings and referring to those readings. I also like to bring in the media and have a powerpoint because it’s easier to follow along. I like to mix it up as much as I can with having a lot of different readings, but really having a clear agenda on what’s coming and what people can expect from each class period. I try to create links for what people need to do and want to know to pass the class. I believe this can allows my students to relax and really enjoy and think about these issues.
Her Campus Utah: What is your favorite part about teaching college students?
RJ: You are not going to find people to talk to that are in a position to find things out and grow and learn the way that people are in college. There is such a future focus and a focus on creating a world that we want to live in. Having those conversations is really valuable, and no other place is like a college classroom. Everyone is different. Everyone has [their] own experiences and perspectives and it’s really fun to see how everyone comes together.
Her Campus Utah: What do you want students to gain from taking strategic feminist communication?
RJ: One thing that I think is really important is understanding that all of the ideas that we talk about today in a present day context have a rich history. It’s important historically to look at things, and also to think about the communication choices that are made when were analyzing something. There is so many important issues on the table right now. Reproductive health, opportunities, professional environments, and in terms of the policies that we do or do not support women with, and so studying those historical choices can help inform us today when we try to make cases for things that we believe in.
Her Campus Utah: Why do you think it’s important for a college student to take this course on feminist communication, or a course centered around feminism?
RJ: It’s an important part of U.S. history, for one thing. Also, wherever you end up you are going to encounter people who have a diversity of ideas about men and women and what they should and should not do. If you want to make a path for yourself, you are going to have to encounter some of these ideas and respond to them. It’s better to respond to them from an informed position and say “well I have a sense of what the history of feminism is or how feminist have argued for and against things”. Knowing that history can help you to create a really solid argument no matter where you are coming from. I think to say that, “well I do not see myself as a feminist,” or “I’m not interested in women’s history”, would cut yourself off from the ability to understand a historical movement in the United States and Europe that has affected, and continues to affect people individually every day. There is no way to get around these issues as one heads out into the workforce, graduate school, or wherever you are going.
Her Campus Utah: If you had a slogan for this course what would it be?
RJ: “Let them speak!”
Her Campus Utah: What is something students can expect from taking this course this fall?
RJ: It’s very exciting that we are headed into the election. We will literally be right in the heart of the election this fall, so there’s so many things we can do with that. I want to throw in a lot of fresh and exciting articles, while also having discussions on how and why people are voting.
If you are interested in taking a fun and interactive course that will expand your views and thoughts regarding feminist issues, plus if you really love watching old television shows from the 70’s and 80’s, join Robin’s Strategic Feminist Communication course this fall. For more information on Robin check out http://www.robinejensen.com.