Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Using survey data gathered at a mid-sized public university in New England, the authors examine the effects of taking a course focused solely on violence against women on students’ attitudes about rape and rape victims. Attitudinal surveys were administered at the beginning and end of a semester to three types of classes, including one titled “Women and Violence.” The results clearly show that students’ attitudes toward rape victims and college date rape were greatly affected by a course that delved deeply into issues concerning violence against women, somewhat affected by a course that covered general gender topics, and unaffected by a course that did not talk about gendered violence issues. Importantly, there were no statistically significant differences among these groups’ attitudes at the beginning of the semester. This research indicates that courses focusing on violence against women are highly effective in changing college students’ attitudes about rape victims and rape myths. Given the high rates of date and acquaintance rape on college campuses, this should encourage educators to include more courses focused on violence against women.