Fifteen
years after having been overlooked in the EPCC curriculum, Women's
Literature class is back.
Taking the book by its binding is VV English Literature Instructor,
Caroline Woolf-Gurley. While this course has expanded elsewhere in
other universities and colleges, at EPCC, it's merely beginning again
for the Spring 2007 semester.
Woolf-Gurley
minored in women’s studies as a graduate student, said the course
is significant because it demonstrates the escalating role of women
during the last 200 years.
"It's important to learn where women were historically, politically,
and where we are now," Woolf-Gurley said. "Literature is
a way to dive into the beginning of the 17th century when women began
getting an education, and later in the 1800's when they began working
outside of their houses."
Many students EPCC like the idea of having a class devoted to women's
literature. Ruth Sanchez said the class could encourage women to stand
on their own two feet and reach their full potential.
"It's great to learn as much as possible about women's history
because it could be very influential and inspire other women to take
grasp of opportunities in life," Sanchez said.
EPCC
English Instructor Caroline Woolf-Gurley is hoping
for an increased enrollment in Women’s Literature.
Photo by Leslie Council
Another
EPCC student, Cindy Alonzo, said the class can motivate women throughout
their lives.
"The class can make me be more proud of myself as a woman. It'll
educate me about woman's roles in history and then I could educate
others," Alonzo said.
"We need to educate ourselves about what went on in the past
in order to change the future. Change is good in a society and if
we (women) keep at it, we could be the domineering gender and have
a louder resonating voice about what goes on in society."
Meanwhile EPCC student Ruben Sandoval said it's great to have an insight
about other individuals.
"It's always good to have an open mind and to understand women,
based on the creativity by another individual. If it's literature,
it's always a good thing because it could help us understand somebody
that could be in your life," Sandoval said.
During the spring semester, students signing up for the class will
be able to view the various roles of women in different cultures including
the African, Mexican, Chinese and Anglo women and the similarities
in their cultural and societal stereotypes. Nonfiction essays, poetry,
and fictional stories from different authors will be covered in the
curriculum including: the classic novel Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte,
Women of the Silk by Gail Tsukiyama and Last of the Menu Girls by
Las Cruces author, Denise Chavez.
