Anybody have some recommended reading before beginning a program?

[StenderB]

Of course we're all going to be inundated with way more reading while IN the program than we'll ever get around to (even if we valiantly try and maybe even sometimes succeed in), but I was wondering if anyone has some social work-related reading suggestions OR even movie/documentary suggestions?

I'm attending San Jose State University in the Fall and I found it interesting that in one snippet of a link on their wesbite talking about orientation, they assign some reading to do prior and one was "The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down".  I found it used for very cheap and will read it far in advance only because not only do I love reading but I love social work/anthropology/sociology books that aren't just textbooks and aren't just mounds of articles.

Have you really enjoyed anything lately? A while back? In your program?

To start off, I recently watched a screening of Girl Rising which was PHENOMENAL.  Here is a link to the documentary's page: http://girlrising.com/
I love stories about youth, wymyn's empowerment, and resilience and this had it all.

I just found out today that Kind-Hearted Woman is free to watch and here's the link to that: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/kind-hearted-woman/
"FRONTLINE follows a single mother as she tries to heal after years of abuse"

As for books, I've had one stand out for me in the last year called Our Guys about a developmentally disabled young womyn who was gang-raped by a group of her high school peers who were also athletes.  Themes involve oppression, marginalization, male dominance, criminal justice system, etc. etc. etc.  Heart-breaking but also eye-opening.  I found myself really questioning how I felt about what a legal adult who is developmentally disabled can or can't consent to.  It made me quite uncomfortable in a good way though opening up some inner-dialogue.

Side note: no, I didn't spell those words wrong, I just refuse to use the word "wo-men"

[kokoa]

Of course we're all going to be inundated with way more reading while IN the program than we'll ever get around to (even if we valiantly try and maybe even sometimes succeed in), but I was wondering if anyone has some social work-related reading suggestions OR even movie/documentary suggestions?

I'm attending San Jose State University in the Fall and I found it interesting that in one snippet of a link on their wesbite talking about orientation, they assign some reading to do prior and one was "The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down".  I found it used for very cheap and will read it far in advance only because not only do I love reading but I love social work/anthropology/sociology books that aren't just textbooks and aren't just mounds of articles.

Have you really enjoyed anything lately? A while back? In your program?

To start off, I recently watched a screening of Girl Rising which was PHENOMENAL.  Here is a link to the documentary's page: http://girlrising.com/

I love stories about youth, wymyn's empowerment, and resilience and this had it all.

I just found out today that Kind-Hearted Woman is free to watch and here's the link to that: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/kind-hearted-woman/

"FRONTLINE follows a single mother as she tries to heal after years of abuse"

As for books, I've had one stand out for me in the last year called Our Guys about a developmentally disabled young womyn who was gang-raped by a group of her high school peers who were also athletes.  Themes involve oppression, marginalization, male dominance, criminal justice system, etc. etc. etc.  Heart-breaking but also eye-opening.  I found myself really questioning how I felt about what a legal adult who is developmentally disabled can or can't consent to.  It made me quite uncomfortable in a good way though opening up some inner-dialogue.

Side note: no, I didn't spell those words wrong, I just refuse to use the word "wo-men"

Hey, I just finished reading "The Spirit Catches You..." for a course I'm taking this semester.  It's a really interesting read.  Sad, but good story.  Sorry I don't have any recommendations for you.  I'm sure you will have plenty to read after orientation.  Maybe we'll be in some classes together. 

[StenderB]

Hey, I just finished reading "The Spirit Catches You..." for a course I'm taking this semester.  It's a really interesting read.  Sad, but good story.  Sorry I don't have any recommendations for you.  I'm sure you will have plenty to read after orientation.  Maybe we'll be in some classes together. 

I bet we will! I'm really excited to begin classes in August

[bukowski]

the new jim crow by michelle alexander 

[Sassafrass333]

The Other Wes Moore

[Sassafrass333]

Also google Tonier Cain & her website healingneen.com

[MindyMSW]

I really enjoyed " Crazy: A Father's Search Through America's Mental Health Madness" by Pete Earley

[StenderB]

Thanks all!! I have these recommendations on a Goodreads shelf now to get to them

Edited April 4, 2013 by StenderB

[blogstarphd]

the new jim crow by michelle alexander 

 

Good choice.