Project pomfret:
unheard voices - stories within lgbtq history
During the 2.5 weeks between Thanksgiving and Winter Break, nine upper form students enrolled in this course which was co-taught by Greg Rossolimo and Katie Wells.
Course Description:
This Unheard Voices Project Pomfret group was designed to be a project-based investigation into LGBTQ experiences throughout history, from ancient times to the present, in the US and beyond. Together, students and faculty first built a LGBTQ fluency skill set through discussion and readings focused on establishing group norms, learning the correct vocabulary for discussion, and examining various case studies about LGBTQ rights in the past and present. Once this common language of informed respect was established, students chose a figure from history or the present and explored both the person and the particular era in which they lived, with a focus on the LGBTQ issues of the time. The united goal of the course was to better understand the existence LGBTQ figures throughout history and of the modern LGBT movement as the culmination of this historical arc – both its glacial pace of change before the 20th century and its accelerated pace of change in just the last twenty-five years. Our discussions, readings, and activities were designed to celebrate those who chose and championed to be their full selves in times when there was no formal cause, movement, or language by which to be a champion. Major guiding questions of the course included: How has LGBTQ identity changed over time? What has been the evolution of the LGBTQ movement from a human rights perspective? What does it mean to be an “Ally”? The course materials included a variety of books, videos, documentaries, and films. The course was designed to give students experience in confronting legal issues and human rights. Skills taught included a full seminar on public speaking and presentation skills and extensive time in the library doing research. Students also delivered two presentations – one at the mid-point of the course and one at the end of the two and a half week project. Students also had a speaker come talk to the class, Mr. Anthony Crisci from the Triangle Community Center in Norwalk, CT, a community center that helps the LGBTQ community and its allies by providing a safe space, legal assistance, and community gatherings. The students all gave final presentations to the school on the final two days of the project.
Course Description:
This Unheard Voices Project Pomfret group was designed to be a project-based investigation into LGBTQ experiences throughout history, from ancient times to the present, in the US and beyond. Together, students and faculty first built a LGBTQ fluency skill set through discussion and readings focused on establishing group norms, learning the correct vocabulary for discussion, and examining various case studies about LGBTQ rights in the past and present. Once this common language of informed respect was established, students chose a figure from history or the present and explored both the person and the particular era in which they lived, with a focus on the LGBTQ issues of the time. The united goal of the course was to better understand the existence LGBTQ figures throughout history and of the modern LGBT movement as the culmination of this historical arc – both its glacial pace of change before the 20th century and its accelerated pace of change in just the last twenty-five years. Our discussions, readings, and activities were designed to celebrate those who chose and championed to be their full selves in times when there was no formal cause, movement, or language by which to be a champion. Major guiding questions of the course included: How has LGBTQ identity changed over time? What has been the evolution of the LGBTQ movement from a human rights perspective? What does it mean to be an “Ally”? The course materials included a variety of books, videos, documentaries, and films. The course was designed to give students experience in confronting legal issues and human rights. Skills taught included a full seminar on public speaking and presentation skills and extensive time in the library doing research. Students also delivered two presentations – one at the mid-point of the course and one at the end of the two and a half week project. Students also had a speaker come talk to the class, Mr. Anthony Crisci from the Triangle Community Center in Norwalk, CT, a community center that helps the LGBTQ community and its allies by providing a safe space, legal assistance, and community gatherings. The students all gave final presentations to the school on the final two days of the project.
Student Work Portfolio:
1. Playwrights George Forrest and Robert Wright
2. Scientist Nikola Tesla
3. Greek Poetess Sappho
4. Musician Freddie Mercury
5. WWII Codebreaker Alan Turing
6. Entertainer Ellen Degeneres
1. Playwrights George Forrest and Robert Wright
2. Scientist Nikola Tesla
3. Greek Poetess Sappho
4. Musician Freddie Mercury
5. WWII Codebreaker Alan Turing
6. Entertainer Ellen Degeneres
COURSE DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT AS ADVERTISED TO STUDENTS (BELOW)