'Who's Afraid of Feminism' conference at Oakton
Examine new ways of thinking and communicating which are changing the face of feminism at the two-day conference, "Who's Afraid of Feminism? Current Challenges, Debates, and Activisms," March 26-27, at Oakton Community College, 1600 E. Golf Road, Des Plaines.
Noted speaker, media critic and blogger Anita Sarkeesian will present the keynote address, "GTFO: Navigating the Gendered Minefield of Online Harassment," at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 26, at the college's Performing Arts Center.
Sarkeesian's work focuses on deconstructing stereotypes associated with women in popular culture, and highlights issues surrounding targeted harassment of women in online and gaming spaces. She has been interviewed and featured in Forbes, Wired, The Guardian, The Globe and Mail and The New York Times.
A global lecturer and presenter at universities, conferences and game development studios, Sarkeesian earned her bachelor's degree in communication studies at California State University, Northridge, and a master's degree in social and political thought from York University.
Sponsored by Oakton's Women's and Gender Studies Program, the conference continues from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Friday, March 27. Participants will have the opportunity to attend various workshops on topics including religious feminism; aspects of feminist activism in cyberspace; biased teaching due to gender; and the challenges of feminist activism at community colleges.
Registration is $35 in advance, $50 at the door or after March 23, and $20 for students. Registration includes continental breakfast, lunch and a dessert reception. Online registration and downloadable forms are available at www.oakton.edu/WGSconference.
For information, contact Kathleen Carot at (847) 376-7061, or kcarot@oakton.edu.