Unit 9. Carmen de Burgos: Equality is a basic human right

Final product: A puppet theatre about an important female in history. Groups cannot repeat the same area of knowledge.

Session 1

Create a definition of gender equality

Session 2

1. Hedy Lamarr. The mother of WiFi: What statements do you think are true? 

1. Hedy Lamarr was born in France 

2. She was a famous actress in the Golden Age of Hollywood

3. She invented a device that led to the creation of Bluetooth technology 

4. Lamarr had no formal education 

5. She received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame 1960

3. Writing. Describe a woman you admire and explain why.

Session 3

Write a statement that summarises each paragraph:

Elizabeth Bennet is a literary character that has captivated readers for over 200 years. Her strong personality, intelligence, independence and refusal to conform to the societal expectations of her time make her an icon of feminism in literature, particularly in the Romantic period.

In Jane Austen's novel, which is called "Pride and Prejudice," Elizabeth is one of five sisters who must marry well to secure their futures. However, unlike her sisters, Elizabeth does not seek out the first eligible bachelor who comes along. Instead, she resists societal pressures to marry for money and status, instead choosing to pursue her own happiness and marry for love.

Throughout the novel, Elizabeth challenges traditional gender roles by refusing to be subservient to men. For example, when she rejects the proposal of Mr. Collins, a man who patriarchal society would have considered a suitable match for her, she does so confidently.

Elizabeth also exemplifies the Romantic ideal of individualism. She is a strong individual who relies on her own sense of morality to guide her choices. She refuses to conform to the societal expectations of a woman's behavior and instead follows her instincts.

In conclusion, Elizabeth Bennet is a feminist icon of the Romantic period in literature for her independence, wit, intelligence, and individualism. She challenges traditional gender roles, societal expectations of marriage and women's intellectual growth, and provides a model for women to follow in a world where they were expected to conform meekly. Elizabeth stands as a symbol of strength, agency, and empowerment for women then and now.

Session 4

1. Quotations about self-love and self-empowerment. Classify them. What do you think about them?

“Self-love is the source of all our other loves.” – Pierre Corneille

“Loving oneself isn’t vanity. It’s sanity.” – Katrina Ubell

“I’m not afraid to stand alone and be my own person, and I think that’s what self-empowerment is all about.” – Beyonce

“Self-empowerment is not about being powerful in relation to others, it is about being powerful in relation to yourself.” – Unknown

2. Lyrics training. Flowers, Miley Cyrus. What is the main message? Do you agree?

4. Discussion:

- How do you think people can learn to love themselves better?

- In what ways can self-love be beneficial for one’s mental and emotional well-being?

-Your experience

Session 5

1. Try to solve the riddle: 

A father and his son are in a car accident. The father dies instantly, and the son is taken to the nearest hospital for surgery. The surgeon comes in and exclaims "I can't operate on this boy." "Why not?" the nurse asks. "Because he's my son," the surgeon responds.

How is this possible?

Answer: The surgeon is the mother 

3. Insipirational women in history. Strike a friendship between them based on their jobs, ideas, adversities and so on.

Session 6

1. What is a stereotype? How can we avoid them?

2. The Danger of Single Story. Write three statements that summarises the speech

3. Break those stereotypes by lookinf for information. Tell your findings to other groups

GROUP 1: 1. England is always rainy and dreary; 2. All Americans are loud and obnoxious; 3. France is full of rude people; 4. Canadians apologize too much.

GROUP 2: 5. All Italians are in the Mafia; 6. Australia is full of deadly animals; 7. Germans are all about efficiency and work; 8. Russians are always drinking vodka.

GROUP 3; 9. Mexicans only eat spicy food; 10. Japanese people are all incredibly polite; 11. All Africans live in grass huts; 12. Brazilians all live in tropical paradise.

GROUP 4: 13. All Chinese people know Kung Fu; 14. Spaniards always take siestas; 15. All Indians are tech geniuses; 16. Argentinians only dance the Tango.

GROUP 5: 17. Irish people are always drunk; 18. All Arabs are terrorists; 19. Greeks are always breaking plates and yelling "Opa!"; 20. Dutch people are all tall and blonde.

Session 7

Victoria Kent was a Spanish lawyer, politician, and feminist who played a significant role in shaping Spanish politics in the early 20th century. In addition, her accomplishments had a significant impact on women's rights and Spanish politics.

Kent was born in Malaga, Spain, in 1892, and she came from a wealthy and influential family. Furthermore, she received a good education and later attended the Central University of Madrid, where she studied law. After finishing her degree, Kent became active in the Spanish feminist movement and began campaigning for women’s rights.

As a feminist, Kent believed that women should be given equal rights and opportunities as men, and that they should have the same access to education, healthcare, and reproductive rights. In the 1920s, she became involved in Spanish politics and began campaigning for women’s suffrage.

She was one of the first women to hold a seat in the Spanish parliament, and she used her position to fight for women's rights and social justice. Moreover, during her time in politics, Kent fought for the rights of the working classes, for the abolition of the death penalty, and for the legalisation of abortion. She also worked to improve education and healthcare in Spain.

In conclusion, Victoria Kent was a remarkable woman who played a significant role in Spanish politics and feminist history. She was a pioneer in the fight for women's rights and social justice, and she remains an inspiration to women and girls all over the world today.