A minimum of 26 credit hours; 23 credit hours must be in courses acceptable toward graduation.
A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.00 on all work.
Completion of Women Studies Program admission coursework with grade of "C" or better:
Students may present Women Studies as a second major with 24 credit hours as follows:
(15 credit hours of required courses), 200, 304 or 325, 492, 498, and one history course from the following: HIST / WMST 320, HIST 321, HIST 345, HIST 428, HIST 429, HIST 462, HIST 472, or other History courses upon Director's approval. 6 credit hours in one focus area and 3 additional credit hours from one other focus area. Other courses may be used upon petition to the Director. History courses taken to fulfill major core requirements may not be used to fulfill major requirements for the focus areas.
9 credit hours from 200, 304 or 325, 492; 3 credit hours from 498, HIST 320, 344, 345, HIST / WMST 320, 321, 322, 428, 462, 471, 472; 6 credit hours from 1 focus area and 3 additional credit hours from one other focus area. Other courses may be used upon petition to the Director. History courses taken to fulfill core requirements may not be used to fulfill requirements for the focus areas.
Courses
WMST 109. Introduction to Comparative Global and Ethnic Societies. (3)
(Also offered as AFST, CCS, NATV, SUST 109)
The course explores historical and contemporary social forces that impact ethnic communities across the Americas. Students will examine social and economic dynamics of Indigenous, Latino, Asian-Pacific, Africana communities, and women's experiences.
WMST 200. Introduction to Women Studies. (3)
Analysis of the intersectional influences of gender, race, class, sexuality, nationality and other factors of identity; examination of expressions of gender and sexuality in regional, national, and international contexts; discussion of social and political movements.
WMST 231. Psychology of Human Sexuality. (3)
(Also offered as PSY 231)
Exploration of the physiological, cultural, social and individual factors that influence sexual behavior, sex roles and sex identity.
Prerequisite: PSY 105.
WMST 250. Black Women. (3)
A comprehensive survey of the role Black Women has played in the society of the United States. Emphasis will be placed on achievements and contributions.
WMST 255. Black Women and the Diaspora. (3)
(Also offered as AFST 255)
This survey course reviews the contributions of Black women to the Black Diasporic story.
WMST 279. Interdisciplinary Topics. (1-3, may be repeated 3 times Δ)
Can be repeated for credit three times by students earning a major or minor in Women Studies.
WMST 304. Feminist Theories: Identity, Knowledge, and Power. (3)
Exploration of the intersections, connections, and tensions between feminist theory and queer, critical race, and postcolonial theories. Theoretical focus on the discussion around previous and emerging analyses of identity, knowledge/power, and justice.
WMST 313. Women and the Law. (3)
(Also offered as POLS 313)
A survey of legal issues affecting women. Examines the historical development and current law of equal opportunity, sexual harassment, pay equity, sports, family, reproduction and sexual violence.
Prerequisite: POLS 303.
WMST 314. Women's Contemporary Legal Issues. (3)
(Also offered as POLS 314)
This course focuses on legal issues of current concern affecting women, offering more intensive focus than 313. Potential topics include sexual harassment, domestic violence, child support enforcement, lesbian legal issues, pay equity.
Prerequisite: POLS 303.
WMST 324. Contemporary Feminist Theory. (3)
An investigation of selected feminist theories from the past three decades. Learning the skills of analysis and applying these skills to theory will be stressed.
WMST 325. Race, Class and Feminism. (3)
This course will open discussion on the significance of race and class as an integral component in the development of feminist movements.
WMST 326. Gender and Communication. (3)
(Also offered as CJ 326)
Study of the relationship between gender and communication with specific attention to how gender affects language, verbal and nonverbal communication practices and how women’s movements have attempted to transform gendered communication practices.
WMST 331. Transnational Feminisms. (3)
(Also offered as CCS 331)
Examination of theoretical and methodological techniques of postcolonial, transnational, and third world feminist scholars/activists; how oppressions are theorized, experienced, and resisted, with a special focus on colonization, imperialism, nationalism, global capitalism, and empire.
WMST 332. Introduction to Chicana Studies. (3)
(Also offered as CCS 332)
An introduction to the interdisciplinary field of Chicana Studies. Includes historical and contemporary research on labor, political involvement, cultural studies and feminism.
WMST 334 / 534. Language and Gender. (3)
(Also offered as LING 334)
This course provides an introduction to linguistic analyses of language used by and about women and men, exploring how language is used in constructing ourselves and others as men and women, gay, straight, or transgendered.
WMST 335. Lesbian Culture and Politics. (3)
Descriptive and theoretical focus on lesbian women in society and within the women’s movement; consideration of issues relevant to Lesbian identity.
WMST 336. Queer Theories. (3)
Class will touch on some early foundations of queer theory and use that foundation as a spring board to explore queer of color, queer migration, queer diaspora, postcolonial queer, and queer native studies scholarship.
WMST 339. Women and Cultural Violence. (3)
An examination of cultural violence toward women (rape, domestic violence, sexual harassment, emotional and verbal abuse, media images, etc.) through political, economic, psychological, social and cultural perspectives.
WMST 353. Women and Creativity. (3)
A study of the creative process linked to the artist’s position in society. A rotation course that will deal successively with women artists in the visual arts, literature, crafts and with the creative process itself.
WMST 355. Black Womanist and Feminist Theories. (3)
(Also offered as AFST 355)
This survey course critically explores the Black Woman's experience through Feminist and Womanist theories.
WMST 375. Psychology of Women. (3)
(Also offered as PSY 375)
Survey of research and theory on gender-role stereotypes and gender differences in such contexts as interpersonal relations, the family, the work force, mass media, mental and physical health.
Prerequisite: PSY 105.
WMST 377. Population Policy and Politics. (3)
(Also offered as POLS 377 / 512)
Analysis of U.S. and multinational policies addressing issues of world population growth, including policy tools designed to control population growth.
WMST 379. Interdisciplinary Topics. (1-3 to a maximum of 9 Δ)
Can be repeated for credit three times by students earning a major or minor in Women Studies.
{Fall, Spring}
WMST 415. The History of Reproduction. (3)
(Also offered as HIST 415 / 615)
By examining the history of reproduction, this course explores the ways in which medicine has intersected with cultural constructs of gender, sexuality, race, and class to produce ways of controlling the male and female reproducing body.
WMST 416. Women and Health in American History. (3)
(Also offered as HIST 414 / 614)
We examine the health issues women have faced and their responses to them from the 18th to the 20th centuries in the U.S., investigating women as patients, women as practitioners and the gendering of disease.
WMST 469. Multiculturalism, Gender and Media. (3)
(Also offered as CJ 469)
Exploration of how gender, race, class, sexual orientation, ethnicity and other social positions affect media coverage, portrayals, production and reception. The course focuses on theories, methods of analysis and topics of current interest.
WMST 472. Women in Modern Latin America. (3)
(Also offered as HIST 472)
Course will focus on women in Latin America, 1821–present, through various historical developments. Will explore political themes, such as suffrage, revolution and military regimes and social dimensions of class, race, ethnicity, work and family.
WMST 492. Senior Seminar. (3)
An advanced course for seniors in Women Studies, emphasizing synthesis and development of research skills.
Restriction: senior standing and permission of instructor.
{Spring}
WMST 498. Feminism in Action. (3)
Planned and supervised work experience in a community agency serving women.
WMST 499. Independent Study. (1-3, may be repeated 3 times Δ)
Student is expected to present a topic for study. May be repeated for credit three times.
Restriction: permission of instructor.
WMST 510. Feminist Theories. (3)
Study of major themes in contemporary feminist thought.
WMST 512. Introduction to Feminist Research Methodology. (3)
Study of feminist research methodologies, covering interdisciplinary feminist approaches to research and applications of feminist scholarship.
WMST 534 / 334. Language and Gender. (3)
(Also offered as LING 534)
This course provides an introduction to linguistic analyses of language used by and about women and men, exploring how language is used in constructing ourselves and others as men and women, gay, straight, or transgendered.
WMST 579. Interdisciplinary Topics. (1-3, may be repeated 3 times Δ)
WMST 597. Independent Study. (1-3 to a maximum of 3 Δ)
Independent project culminating in a final paper. Students must submit a proposal to instructor prior to receiving permission to register.
Restriction: permission of instructor.
{Fall, Spring}
