UUCARDs - Unitarian Universalist Curriculum and Resource Developers
 Home Return to title page  Members Complete list of members  Questions Q&A about writing curriculum  Annotated List Listing of works, sortable  Online Resources Other resources on this site  Works in Progress See what else is being developed  Links Links to other sites  News News on related events

A New UU Course Debuts: Unraveling the Gender Knot

Unitarian Universalist Women & Religion is pleased to announce publication in June 2004 of Unraveling the Gender Knot: Challenging the System that Binds Us, a new course for Unitarian Universalist adults and youths and our friends.

Topics in the seven two-hour sessions include gender, religion, feminism, economics, invisibility and denial, and how to challenge the patriarchal system.

Participants and co-leaders:
*Examine religious writings that influence our beliefs about women and men
*Study how the patriarchal system shapes women and men
*Identify and practice confronting patriarchal actions by organizations, other people, and ourselves
Participants learn that:
*We are not responsible for our inherited patriarchal system, and we participate in it.
*Paths of least resistance are easy to take and hard to recognize.
*We can change our attitudes and behavior, and can influence others.
Course materials include a 100-page detailed course guide for co-leaders with handouts for participants, and two documentary films: Who's Counting? Marilyn Waring on Sex, Lies and Global Economics (National Film Board of Canada, 1995) and The Gods of Our Fathers ( Green Lion Productions, 1994).

The course was developed by two Unitarian Universalists: Barbara G. Schonborn, PhD, a course developer and teacher of teachers; Rosemary Matson, BA, a writer, lecturer, and activist leader; and the late Alison Campbell, MA, a teacher and writer.

Course development was supported by:
  • Unitarian Sunday School Society
  • Fund for Unitarian Universalism
  • Margaret Fuller Award Committee of the UU Women's Federation
  • Alison Ely Campbell Memorial Fund
  • UU Women & Religion

    Members and friends in 20 UU congregations pilot-tested the course.

    Ordering information is enclosed.

    • The course reference book is The Gender Knot: Unraveling Our Patriarchal Legacy, by Allan G. Johnson (Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1997). Paperback is $19.95, ISBN 1-56639-519-4. Available from the UUA Bookstore (toll-free phone, 1-800-215-9076; online www.uua.org/bookstore) and from libraries, bookstores, and other online booksellers.
    Session Topics


    Orientation Meeting (recommended)

    Session I. Gender and the Patriarchal System
    A.Welcome and Introductions
    B.How We Got Our Genders: An Activity
    C.Purposes of the Course
    D.The UUA Women and Religion Resolution and Seeds of Change
    E.What is the Patriarchal System?
    F.Paths of Least Resistance Session

    2. Religion and the Patriarchal System
    A.Religious Literature (Heroes, Human Reproduction )
    B.Religious Institutions and Decision-Making Power
    C.Writers and Interpreters of Religious Literature
    D.Historical Background E. Women and Men Objecting and Reinterpreting

    Session 3. Feminism and the Patriarchal System
    A.Definitions of Feminism
    B.Backlash Against Feminism
    C.Three Strands of Feminism
    D.Supporting One Another in Working for Change Session

    4. Economics and the Patriarchal System (optional: 2 sessions)
    Film Who's Counting? Marilyn Waring on Sex, Lies and Global Economics
    A.Gross Domestic Product Figures Recognize No Value But Money
    B.Unpaid Work is Discounted
    C.Destructive Activities are Valued If They Generate Cash Flow; No Debit Side
    D.Non-Monetary Human Values are Not Recognized
    E.Time- Use Data Indicate Communities' Needs
    F.Discussion of the Film, and Evidence of the Patriarchal System

    Session 5. Thinking About Patriarchy
    A.Is Patriarchy Essential?
    B.Military Service and War
    C.Work in the Patriarchal System
    D.Sex in the Patriarchal System
    E.Film The Gods of Our Fathers

    Session 6. Invisibility and Denial
    A.Invisibility of Women and Men
    B.Invisibility of Male Violence
    C.Denial of the Patriarchal System
    D.Woman Power

    Session 7. How to Challenge the Patriarchal System
    A.Taking Responsibility
    B.How To Make Change
    C.What's In It For Me?

    Printed in USA. June 2004

    Sample Activity:
    The Wall Falls Down (in Session 5)


    ASK the group to name barriers to changing the patriarchal system. Write the list on a flip chart or board. (4 minutes)

    INVITE participants to write one barrier on a 3x5 or 4x6 card. It's okay if two or more participants select the same barrier. (2 minutes)

    ASK participants to write on the back of their card one things (or more) they can do to make the barrier fall. (5 minutes)

    ASK participants to stand as they are able, take their cards with them, and align themselves to form a wall. The wall may encircle the room. (2 minutes to get in position)

    INVITE participants to name their barrier and tell what they can do to make the barrier fall. (Any sequence is fine)

    After each participant speaks ASK that participant to sit down, or move away from the wall. LEAD the group in chanting once, "The wall falls down!"

    After all participants have sat down, the barriers, or walls, will be gone in imagination.

    ASK: How do you feel about the barriers? About your actions?
    Unraveling the Gender Knot
    Price List and Order Form


    Unraveling the Gender Knot: Challenging the System that Binds Us is a course of seven two-hour sessions for Unitarian Universalist adults, youths, and friends.

    Materials include a 100-page detailed course guide for co-leaders with handouts for participants, and two documentary films: Who's Counting? Marilyn Waring on Sex, Lies and Global Economics (National Film Board of Canada, 1995) and The Gods of Our Fathers (Green Lion Productions, 1994).

    Please copy form first (if needed for additional orders) and then complete form.


    Prices:
    One 100-page detailed leader's course guide with handouts to copy $30 _________________
    Additional guides (recommended for second co-leader) $25 each qty _________________
    Film:Who's Counting? _________________
    DVD format $25 _________________
    Videotape format $40 _________________
    Film:The Gods of Our Fathers _________________
    DVD format $25 _________________
    Videotape format $40 _________________
    Shipping and handling $10 _________________
    Additional course guides ordered separately: $25 plus $5 shipping_________________
    TOTAL: _________________



    Date: ________________________________________________________________________

    
Purchased by: ________________________________________________________________

    
Street Address or P.O. Box ___________________________________________________

    
City, State or Providence, Zip _______________________________________________

    
Email (optional) _____________________________________________________________

    
Phone ( optional) ____________________________________________________________

    
For use by (name of faith community, personal use, other use): _______________

    
______________________________________________________________________________

    Your information will not be shared with anyone.
    Please mail your (personal or organization's) check or money order payable to:
    uu Women & Religion c/o Barbara Schonborn
    1963 Rock St., #19
    Mountain View, CA 94043-2513
    email: barbara.schonborn@stanfordalumni.org