COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

WS 101 INTRODUCTION TO WOMEN’S STUDIES

This course focuses on the experiences of women and the significance of gender from an interdisciplinary and multicultural perspective. It explores the extent to which gender, as well as other social characteristics such as race, class, and sexual orientation, affect access to opportunity, power, and resources. It also examines the contributions of women to society and to social change. Satisfies distribution requirement. 3 semester hours

WS 104 WOMEN IN THE WESTERN TRADITION (SAME AS HIST 104)

This course examines Western society’s attitudes toward women and how these attitudes shaped women’s participation in the social, political, economic, and cultural development of the Western world from ancient times to the present. Aspecial effort is made to use primary source material in the course readings. 3 semester hours

WS 130 LITERATURE OF THE NON-WESTERN WORLD (SAME AS HUM 200 AND ENGL 130)

Students read works by major writers from Japan, China, India, African nations, and other cultures. This course includes works by writers such as Basho, Firdausi, Confucius, Li Po, Motokiyo, and Mushima. In addition, students study selections from The Koran and The Bhagavad Gita and a number of Japanese Noh plays. 3 semester hours

WS 146 WOMEN WRITERS: 1800 TO THE PRESENT (SAME AS ENGL 146)

This course examines the contributions of women in both fiction (the novel and the short story) and poetry in the 19th and 20th centuries. Some of the authors studied include Jane Austen, Emily Dickinson, Jean Rhys, and Virginia Woolf. The class emphasizes both the singular perspectives each writer brings to her work, as well as each author’s perspectives on the role of women in her particular era. 3 semester hours

WS 147 LITERATURE OF THE AMERICAN MINORITY EXPERIENCE (SAME AS ENGL 147)

America is often called a great melting pot, yet many voices are often ignored or marginalized because they are not the voices of majority culture. In this class, students examine significant works from African Americans, Asian Americans, Chicano/as, Native Americans, and others. Writers to be studied include Zora Neale Hurston, June Jordon, Maxine Hong Kingston, M. Scott Momaday, Simon Ortiz, and Alberto Rios. 3 semester hours

WS 203 SOCIOLOGY OF YOUTH (SAME AS SOC 203)

Youth, adolescence, young adulthood—different terms, but all imply a period in life when individuals face various new issues, physically and emotionally. In this course, students explore such issues in the context of social and cultural frameworks. Students consider how sociologists view a category termed “youth” and explore how social systems determine who is a part of this category. Students also look at the personal and social implications of “youth” and the intersections and impact of race, class, and gender on the experiences of youth. Students are introduced to the social constructionist approach to study the issues of youth in the United States, as well as comparative perspectives. Prerequisite: SOC 105. 3 semester hours

WS 205 HUMAN SEXUALITY IN CROSS-CULTURAL CONTEXT (SAME AS ANTH 205)

This course concerns ideas of human sexuality and to a lesser extent, gender, in a cross-cultural context. Students study the human brain and hormonal system to discover what about sexuality and gender are biologically programmed. Once that is established, students look at sexuality as it is understood in a number of cultures, including our own. Topics include marriage systems of different types and how they regulate sex, what different cultures define as customary or “normal” sexual practice, and what are regarded as abnormal, sexual custom versus sexual practice, and sexual taboos and how taboos reflect masculinity, femininity, and other culturally defined sexual orientations. 3 semester hours

WS 206 PSYCHOLOGY OFWOMEN (SAME AS PSY 206)

The social construction of gender and its impact on the lives of women are examined in this course. This survey course is designed to cover a wide array of psychological topics as they relate to the female experience in American culture. The influence of historical, developmental, and social contexts on psychological experiences is also examined. Prerequisite: PSY 105. 3 semester hours

WS 215 THE FAMILY (SAME AS SOC 215)

An examination of the family as a social institution with multicultural and cross-cultural differences. Areas of study include the organization of kinship systems, historical antecedents of family structure in the United States, gendered family roles, domestic violence, and the theoretical implications of societal change on intimacy patterns and family relations. This is a writing enriched course. Prerequisite: SOC 105. 3 semester hours

WS 225 WOMEN’S ISSUES ACROSS THE LIFE SPAN (SAME AS SW 225)

This course examines some of the dilemmas facing women at various points during the life cycle. The course begins with an exploration of the underpinnings of female gender identity in childhood and includes an examination of adolescence (issues such as teenage pregnancy, bulimia, abortion), early adulthood (marriage/choosing to be single, work/family stresses, day care, timing of motherhood, dual career marriages), middle adulthood (empty nest debate, adult daughter/mother relationships, caregiving, depression), and later adulthood (living alone/widowhood, poverty, sexuality, social networks). Attention is given to minority women throughout the course. 3 semester hours

WS 230 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND THE JUSTICE SYSTEM (SAME AS CJ 230)

The main objective of the course is to introduce students to the subject of family violence, especially as it relates to the legal system in the United States. This is accomplished by exploring (a) the historical roots of domestic violence, (b) social science theoretical perspectives, (c) the roles and the players, (d) the typical criminal prohibitions, (e) the experiences of victims who seek help from the court, religious, and medical authorities, and (f) efforts at developing prevention and intervention strategies. In addition, the course seeks to develop skills in students to find and evaluate information on family violence, especially as it is found in sociological sources and court needs. 3 semester hours

WS 240 GENDER AND INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (SAME AS SOC 240)

This course focuses on how gender inequality is structured globally and how economic and political changes in the last half of the 20th century have impacted these inequalities. To understand the impact of economic and political changes, we will specifically examine regions such as Latin America, Asia (Southeast, South Asia, China), Africa, and the Middle East and make comparisons with the United States. We will look at the social, economic, and political structure in different countries of these areas and see how gender inequality is socially constructed and impacted by changes. We will end the course by looking at some of the ways women have made changes in the structure of their countries and ultimately their own lives. 3 semester hours

WS M241 WOMEN AND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM (SAME AS CJ 241)

This course uses case law, role-playing and discussion to examine the issues of the victimization of women in society and the response of the criminal justice system to their experiences. Emphasis is placed on the importance of gender as a factor affecting both the definition of female criminality and the role of women in the system itself. 1.5 semester hours

WS 270 HUMAN SEXUALITY (SAME AS SW 270)

This course explores human sexuality in three separate sections using a biopsychosocial approach. The first of these units addresses an overview of sexuality information and functioning. The second examines psychosocial issues as they exist within sexuality. Lastly, the manifestations of human sexuality as they occur within the social work context and subsequent practice issues are investigated. 3 semester hours

WS 275 AFRICAN AND AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN IN SOCIETY (SAME AS SOC 275)

This course will explore some of the significant life experiences of women in sub-Saharan Africa (such as marriage, sex and sexuality, motherhood, being a wife, families, aging, widowhood, work, and urban vs. rural life), how the same type of experiences are lived by African American women, and how an understanding of culture and social organization helps us understand why African and African American women sometimes experience these similarly and sometimes differently. This is a writingenriched course. 3 semester hours

WS 305 PSYCHOLOGY OFWOMEN, MEN, AND WORK (SAME AS PSY 305)

Women and men working together is a fact of life in today’s workplace. This course will address issues that face women and men both separately and together in today’s workplace. Facing these issues is no longer an attempt at political correctness but a legal necessity. As such, we will address both social interaction issues and legal requirement issues for the workers and the employers. 3 semester hours

WS 313 SELECTED TOPICS IN LITERATURE AND FILM (SAME AS HUM 313)

Literature and film represent two of the media in which society explores its most puzzling questions. This course examines the way particular issues are treated in literature and film, focusing on both the issues and the analytical skills necessary to critique the two media. Issues are different each time the course is offered. This course counts as a women’s studies course when the selected topic and issues focus on women. 3 semester hours

WS 315 WOMEN, MEN, AND WORK (SAME AS EC 315)

This course focuses on gender issues in the labor force and the household. Topics include labor force participation patterns and trends, allocation of time between household and market work, unemployment, leadership styles, occupational segregation, discrimination, and sexual harassment. Prerequisite: EC 202. 3 semester hours

WS 317 SOCIOLOGY OF SEX AND GENDER (SAME AS SOC 317)

An examination of sex/gender systems in historical, cross-cultural, and contemporary societies. Identity politics and the interconnections between gender, race, class, ethnicity, and sexual orientation are core segments of this course. Feminist, socialist, liberal, and conservative thought on sex/gender issues are  included. Readings include classic early writings from the contemporary women’s movement and more recent gender analyses. This is a writing-enriched course. Prerequisite: SOC 105. 3 semester hours

WS 326 GENDER IN EUROPEAN HISTORY (SAME AS HIST 326)

The course focuses on the changing nature of male and female genders from the Renaissance to the present. The purpose of the course is to familiarize students with gender as an analytical category, distinguish it from sex, make students conscious of the variability of gender, and knowledgeable of the forces that have acted upon gender in the past. Students will explore the nature of men’s and women’s conditions, social status, and thought, as  well as development of their political, social, and cultural powers from the 15th century to our day. 3 semester hours

WS 350 WOMEN AND ART (SAME AS AH 350)

This course looks at studies over the past twenty years which have resituated the significant contributions of women in making, commissioning, and inspiring artistic images. These re-evaluations have led to a richer, more nuanced history—one that posits gender as an integral factor and that reveals the key role women have played in the world of art. The course will focus on how artists have portrayed women and the ways representations of women function as a manifestation of culture. The work of women artists and feminist critical discourse will be included. 3 semester hours

WS 351 HISTORY OF WOMEN IN AMERICA TO 1870 (SAME AS HIST 351)

Explores the lives of women in America from the beginning of the colonial era to 1870, with special emphasis on how race, class, region, and gender have affected women’s identities, relationships, and daily lives. Topics include religion, paid and unpaid labor, life cycles, friendships, family life, community, health and sexuality, the women’s rights movements, and the impact of the American Revolution and the Civil War. This is primarily a lecture-based course, with writing and discussion as important elements. 3 semester hours

WS 352 HISTORY OF WOMEN IN AMERICA SINCE 1870 (SAME AS HIST 352)

Explores the lives of women in America from 1870 to today, with special emphasis on how race, class, region, and gender have affected women’s identities, relationships, and daily lives. Topics include religion, paid and unpaid labor, prostitution, friendships, family life, community, health and sexuality, birth control, the women’s rights movement, and the impact of U.S. involvement in international wars. This is primarily a lecturebased course, with writing and discussion as important elements. 3 semester hours

WS 355 FEMINIST THEORIES AND METHODOLOGY

This seminar-style course focuses on feminist theories as they have evolved since the beginning of organized activity on behalf of women’s rights. Theoretical foundations of liberal, radical, and socialist feminism are covered, as well as more recent works on standpoint theory, masculinist studies, post-colonial research, multiculturalism, social constructionism, post-modern and queer theory. Critical thinking is applied to the intersections of gender with race, class, sexual orientation, ethnicity, age, and other social group characteristics. Critiques and innovations in research methodology are also covered. Prerequisite: WS 101 or permission of instructor. 3 semester hours

WS 367 SOCIAL MOVEMENTS AND SOCIAL CHANGE (SAME AS SOC 367)

This course explores the interaction between social movements and social change. The focus is on intentional change; on social movements as expressions of people’s interest in transforming social structures and cultural relations. Activism organized around issues of race, class, and gender—as found in the American Labor Movement, Civil Rights Movement, and the Women’s Movement—constitute the three primary movements examined in this course. This is a writing enriched course. 3 semester hours

WS 371 STUDIES IN AMERICAN WOMEN’S HISTORY (SAME AS HIST 371)

Afocused examination of key themes in American women’s history from colonial times to the present. Topics include changing roles within the family, the empowering and restricting effects of religion, the changing definitions and status of women’s work, women’s involvement in reform movements, and the evolution of the women’s rights movement. This is a seminar-style course centered on discussion of required readings, in-class presentations, and written assignments. 3 semester hours

WS 394, 395 WOMEN’S STUDIES PRACTICUM

Students work 6–8 hours per week off campus in one of several agencies/organizations that focus on issues concerning women. This practicum must be under the supervision of agency/organization personnel. Students are also required to become familiar with the scholarly literature relevant to their placement, obtain an understanding of contemporary women’s issues, participate in on-campus meetings and write a research paper integrating the research and field work aspects of the practicum. Permission of the director of women’s studies is required prior to registration. Open to juniors or seniors. Not available to students who are student teaching. May be taken in one or two semesters. Six credits maximum. Prerequisite: WS 101. 3–6 semester hours

WS 409 SENIOR CAPSTONE

This is a senior level research course in a specialized area of women’s studies. Required of all women’s studies majors. This is a writing enriched course. Prerequisite: WS 355 or permission of instructor. 3 semester hours

WS 499 INDEPENDENT STUDY

The student undertakes independent study of significant issues concerning women’s studies. Atopic, approved by the instructor, as well as the director of women’s studies, is chosen for research and a written report is required. Discussions as to the progress of the work are held periodically. Prerequisite: Open to qualified students with the permission of the faculty advisor and the director of women’s studies. Student must have a junior or senior standing. 3–6 semester hours

WS 950 THE LEGACY OF EVE I (SAME AS HUM 950)

A historical and literary survey of women who appear in the Bible and their archetypal sisters who populate subsequent literature throughout the centuries. The essential woman: ordinary, extraordinary, submissive, aggressive, good, evil. Discussion focuses on famous and not-so-famous women throughout the readings, which include related stories, retellings, and observations from contemporary (and not-so-contemporary) sources. 1.5 semester hours