THESIS: Aggie by Choice; Campus Innovator by Necessity
Department: Philosophy | Advisor: Dr. Daniel Conway
Abstract: This thesis will be used to create curricular reform of at Texas A&M. Specifically, the established existence of a rape culture in both Texas and the United States that will be described in this thesis necessitates the implementation of an educational course that help students learn factual reproductive health information and about the prevention and remediation of rape culture. The author supports a pilot run of this course, which was created using empirical evidence from U.S. and Texas legislation, current health education programs available in the United States, and programs currently available at Texas A&M. The explicit purpose of this new curriculum is to assist Aggies in leading healthy adult lives by giving them the tools to be aware of and combat rape culture, build healthy long and short-term relationships, and actively build their self-esteem and leadership skills. Aggies will learn to be active bystanders and take charge of their own education to better embody the Aggie core values. This type of reform is intended to be desirable for both Aggies of any age and major and the university as a whole.
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Project Summary
PART I
In Summer 2014, I was chosen to be part of a research team lead by Dr. Conway, who studies the problem of evil. As a Glasscock scholar, I developed and presented my independent research proposal calling for the implementation of a mandatory consent course for all new students.
PART II
My research proposal was accepted and earned a spot as an Honors Undergraduate Research Scholar (2014-2015). During Texas A&M's 2015 Research Week, I won the 2nd Place Undergraduate Oral Presentation in Health, Nutrition, Kinesiology, Physiology award.
PART III
For the 2015-2016 school year, I applied to be an Undergraduate Teacher Scholar to teach a version of the course described in my thesis. I was responsible for creating an updated curriculum and syllabus with feedback from my advisor Dr. Tasha Dubriwny. In August 2015, my student organization Feminists for Reproductive Equity & Education (F.R.E.E.) started presenting Title IX & consent workshops informed by my research and a partnership with our local Sexual Assault Resource Center. In Spring 2016, I lead a Socratic seminar for an undergraduate student.
PART IV
I wanted to reach more students, so I applied for an Innovations in Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, & Accountability (IIDEA) grant from Texas A&M. In Spring 2016, I earned a year-long, $3500 IIDEA grant for my proposal to teach fellow Aggies about Title IX & consent through my student organization F.R.E.E. My student group was now able to fund Title IX & consent workshops and has presented to ~200 students. F.R.E.E. is now a part of a Student Coalition Against Sexual Assault and works to end sexual assault on campus by educating students and connecting them with resources.