Belfast. Dr. Kim Huisman, University of Maine Sociology Professor, and resident of Belfast, recently was awarded a grant from the Maine Humanities Council to fund "The Midcoast Maine Mother-Daughter Project." Building on this year-long initiative, Dr. Huisman has designed the course, SOC/WST 340, Social Construction of Motherhood and is offering it at the UMaine Hutchinson Center, Belfast, beginning January 17th and running until May 2nd.

This course examines how the institution of motherhood and experiences of mothering are socially constructed. The course problematizes the common portrayal of motherhood as a “natural” role and addresses the many ideologies, practices, and contradictions surrounding motherhood. Focusing primarily on the U.S., the course will explore changing and multiple meanings of motherhood, how such meanings have been constructed through media, culture, and language, and how they have impacted family experience and women’s lives.

Professor Kim Huisman is teaching this 3-credit course from 9:30-12:00 pm on Thursdays in Belfast.  Students interested in taking the course need to have taken 6 hours of sociology or have the permission of the instructor.  This course satisfies the General Education Social Contexts and Institutions.

To register for this course or to meet with an academic advisor, please contact the UMaine Hutchinson Center at 338-8000 or toll-free 1-800-753-8044.  Our staff will get you started with college, or get you re-connected to where you left off with your college degree years ago.  This is your time for a second chance – give us a call!