WG 201[D][PP] Women And Change in the U.S. (3) This course explores some of the most important issues in Women's & Gender Studies in an American context. These issues include access to education and healthcare; the nature of "women's work" and gender roles within families; the pursuit of reproductive freedom, the role of body image in defining women's and men's identities; and the continuing struggles against rape and domestic violence. These issues are examined through an American historical lens of each issue, analyzing multiple ways of thinking about the problem and connecting with people in the community who are currently working on the issue, thus exploring the intersections between theory and practice, and between the personal and the political. Special attention is paid to the ways that gender, race, class, age, and sexual orientation converge to form systems of oppression.
WG 230[C] [PS] Global Issues in Women’s Studies (3)
Interdisciplinary and cross-cultural study of women’s experience of
family, sexuality, work and politics. Various women’s rights and
feminist movements, especially those of women of color, are
explored.
WG 301 [G,PS] Global Masculinities (3) A cross-cultural study of socioalization of boys and men that examines how early learning prepares them for later interactions with women and other men.
WG 302 [D, PS] Masculinity in America (3) Exploration of the various meanings of masculinity as affected by cultural, historical, and contemporary forces in post-modern society. Gender is viewed as one of life's chief organizing principles shaping identities, interactions, and institutions in such areas as work, education, health, and family. Life experiences and opportunity structures of dominant and non-dominant groups of boys and men are examined.
WG 303 [D, PS] Gender and Sexuality (3) This course takes an interdisciplinary approach to gender and sexuality as social constructions, attempting to identify and critique the ways in which ideologies of gender and sexuality are circulated in culture. Includes a substantial reflective component.
WG 320 [L] [PL, D] Life Writing (3)
Selected autobiographies and biographies by women examined as
artistic expression and historical resource. Readings include the
lives of subjects from various fields, with discussion of narrative
strategies and ethical choices of the authors. Students undertake
research projects in biographical writing.
WG 380 Special Topics in Women’s Studies (3+)
Investigation into selected topics about women and women’s or gender
issues. Offered in alternate years. May be repeated for credit with
permission of the instructor. General education suffix varies
according to topic.
WG 420 Seminar in Women’s Studies (3)
Emphasis on leadership through readings in feminist theory and
women’s history. Preparation and presentation of a paper applying
women’s studies scholarship as it is relevant to an academic or
career area of the student’s choice.
Courses Offered by Other Departments that are Core Courses for the WS Major/Minor
English 337 [L] Women Writers and Feminist Theory (3)
Women’s literary traditions as explored in feminist criticism. Texts
from nineteenth- and twentieth-century literature in English and the
insights into artistic creation, historical periods, genres and
cultural codes gained by reading women writers in relation to one
another.
History 341 [H] [PP] Women in Europe and the United States
Since 1800 (3)
A survey of historical themes and historiographical issues in the
field of women’s history. Content focuses not only on experiences of
women, but also on the way female gender has been defined during the
last two hundred years. Topics include family, ethnic and racial
heritage, struggles for economic and political rights, women and the
nation state, the body and sexuality, and women’s artistic
expression.
Political Science 355 [S] Women and Politics (3)
Historical and theoretical dimensions of women's involvement in
American politics. Analysis of U.S. women's movements, perspectives
on gender difference, women as candidates and in elected office, and
the gendered character of public policy. Particular attention will
be paid to issues of citizenship, representation, equality and
difference.
Religion 392 [S] Women in Religion (3)
An exploration of the intersection between religion and culture with
respect to the roles of women in religious communities past and
present. Prerequisite: 260 or permission of instructor.
Sociology 200 [S] [PS[ Marriage and the Family (3)
Examination of the social and psychological factors that influence
interpersonal relationships within the institution of the family and
the processes by which self and personality are developed and
maintained throughout the family life cycle from its inception
throughout dating and mate selection to its termination in
separation, divorce or death. Prerequisite: 100 or permission of
instructor.
Sociology 305 [S] Social Gerontology (3)
An examination of aging in human societies, comparing aging in the
United States with the experiences of other nations. The course will
consider issues associated with population change, income and
employment, retirement, health, and the family. Policy programs will
be examined as well as projections of likely patterns of social
change. (Offered in alternate years.) Prerequisite: 100 or
permission of instructor.
Sociology 320 [S] Women and Men in Society (3)
Examination of the social construction of gender at the individual,
interpersonal and socio-structural levels. Meanings of masculine and
feminine and gender relations and corresponding responses of
organizations and institutions are addressed through both women’s
and men’s studies perspectives. Pre-requisite: 100 or permission of
instructor.
