Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

This course introduces students to key concepts, debates, and analytical tools informing women, gender, and sexuality studies. As an interdisciplinary field of study, women, gender, and sexuality studies employs academic perspectives from a range of disciplines and theoretical approaches. It also incorporates lived experience and social location into its object of analysis. Though content will vary according to the expertise and focus of the instructor, this course will develop tools through readings and assignments that critically analyze how gender and sexuality are shaped by different networks of power and social relations and demonstrate how the intersections of race, class, disability, national status, and other categories identity and difference are central to their understanding and deployment. In addition to feminist though, areas of focus might include gender and sexuality in relation to social, cultural, political, creative, economic, or scientific discourses. This class is recommended for those with a general interest in the topic area as well as for those seeking a foundational course for further study.

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.

Can be repeated for credit three times by students earning a major or minor in Women Studies.

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.

(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.

(Also offered as POLS 314)

This course looks at the intersection of sex and law. Topics include Social Contract Theory as a sexual and domestic labor contract, NM rape laws, legal definitions of pornography, and sexual torture: consensual or criminal. 

Prerequisite: POLS 303.

This course offers a feminist critique of traditional economic theories as presented by post-colonial feminists. It also covers the related issues of globalization, population control and state policies, immigration, and social exclusion.

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.

This course will open discussion on the significance of race and class as an integral component in the development of feminist movements.

(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.

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.

Descriptive and theoretical focus on lesbian women in society and within the women’s movement; consideration of issues relevant to Lesbian identity.

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.

Transgender studies is an emergent interdisciplinary field that centers and transgender people’s experiences. Through the optic of "trans" this field theorizes sex, gender, identity, and embodiment, and their regulations in culture, science, and law.

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.

Can be repeated for credit three times by students earning a major or minor in Women Studies.

{Fall, Spring}

(Also offered as HIST 414)

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.

(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.

An advanced seminar on the interdisciplinary study of feminism, gender, and sexuality in the arts, humanities, natural, social or health sciences.

An advanced course for seniors in Women Studies, emphasizing synthesis and development of research skills.

Restriction: senior standing and permission of instructor.

{Spring}

Offered by independent study to Women Studies majors eligible for honors. This capstone experience in the honors program builds on WMST 492, and is intended to complete the writing of the honors thesis. 

Prerequisite: 492.

Restriction: permission of instructor.

Planned and supervised work experience in a community agency serving women.

Student is expected to present a topic for study.

Restriction: permission of instructor.

Study of major themes in contemporary feminist thought.

Study of feminist research methodologies, covering interdisciplinary feminist approaches to research and applications of feminist scholarship.

Transgender studies is an emergent interdisciplinary field that centers and transgender people’s experiences. Through the optic of "trans" this field theorizes sex, gender, identity, and embodiment, and their regulations in culture, science, and law.

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}