Interview with Rhonda E. Hudson, Social Work - recipient of the Teaching and Learning Grant-Course Redesign/Development

1. Briefly describe what you did with your Teaching and Learning Grant.

I conceptualized and developed a syllabus and course on HIV in African women for our students, who spent 10 days in Cape Town, South Africa, in May-June, 2009. This meant collaborating with Rev. Rachael Mash, who is a minister and expert on the subject in Africa. I also purchased the DVD, “Yesterday” which is the depiction of a young African woman and her family’s experience with HIV. It also meant researching the cultural differences between HIV in the U.S. and HIV in Africa, and dialoging with students about these cultural and distinct differences.

2. How was your teaching and your students’ learning enhanced by this grant?

The teaching/learning grant allowed me to both collaborate with Rev. Rachael Mash, and through her, schedule interviews with HIV+ women, who freely and openly shared their stories and experiences with the students. This was such a powerful experience for the students, who learned first-hand how empowered the Africa women were, even though they experienced extreme stigma in their communities. Students were able to experience myriad strengths in these women, and the conversations that followed allowed for the concept of strengths in individuals to be viewed in a more global context for students. The power and impact of this knowledge and experience will continue to serve the students well, as they prepare to be change agents to vulnerable and oppressed individuals and families, both here in the U.S. and globally.

3. How did (or might) this grant award lead to other opportunities to further develop your teaching and enhance learning?

The collaboration with Rev. Rachael Mash has continued since our visit, and she is open to sharing her knowledge with future students who will visit Cape Town. She is able to challenge students in conceptualizing a challenging cultural paradigm that they would not be able to experience here in Western Tennessee. Also, because of the tremendous that exists in this area, students would not have the same opportunities to hear the stories of HIV+ women in West Tennessee; I only have the stories that HIV+ women in South Florida risked to share with me. Having this other resource will allow me to increase my knowledge of the global impact of AIDS, and enhance students’ learning,, as they are able to hear the stories of HIV+ African women first-hand. That is a very powerful and most privileged exclamation point to teaching and learning! I am most appreciative for the opportunity to utilize this teaching and learning grant to increase students’ application of knowledge.