Women Studies

Women’s status in society: Women’s socialization by sex, class, race and culture; the economics of discrimination, and role of education and family. Historical and social perspectives.

{Fall, Spring}

(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

An interdisciplinary course that focuses on the historical, cultural, economic and political issues that affect the changing roles of Native American Women.

An exploration of works written exclusively by black women as well as a multidisciplinary approach to black women’s experiences through their own writings, art, media.

(Also offered as AFST 250)

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.

Develops writing skills used in feminist scholarship, and applies feminist research methodologies in a lab setting.

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 SOC 308)

How and why societies create gender categories. How do definitions of “masculinity” and “femininity” vary? What are the costs and benefits of being male or female in contemporary American society?

Prerequisite: SOC 101

{Fall, Spring}

(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 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

(Also offered as HIST 320)

Study of sex roles in primitive societies, classical views of women, the Judeo-Christian treatment of women, medieval social roles and the changes that came with the Renaissance and Reformation. Attention will be paid to the role of women in the family and to their economic function as well as to the less common activities of saint, witch and revolutionary.

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.

(Also offered as HIST 322)

A detailed study of the movements for women’s rights in the U.S., Europe and Latin America in the 19th and 20th centuries. The topic’s approach will emphasize the movement’s relation to and impact on broader historical questions.

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.

(Also offered as CHMS 332)

An introduction to the interdisciplinary field of Chicana Studies. Includes historical and contemporary research on labor, political involvement, cultural studies and feminism.

(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.

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

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.

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.

Will present overview of women in art and media; will survey history; will serve as a workshop for developing skills; will interpret how the media influences status of women.

Lancaster

Uses the perspective of evolutionary biology to examine the diversity of sex roles played by men and women in the historical and cross-cultural record.

Restriction: upper-division standing. (HEE)

{Fall 1999 and alternate years}

(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

(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.

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

{Fall, Spring}

(Also offered as ANTH 380)

An overview of women’s and men’s experience in our own and other cultures. We will read case studies about gender relations in Native North America, Mexico, Africa, the Middle East and differing ethnic and class segments of the U.S. Issues to be covered include reproduction, the family, work and colonialism.

Designed for advanced students–seniors and graduate students in all disciplines–this course will introduce students to the fundamental questions and methods of feminist scholarship as an interdisciplinary mode of inquiry.

Study of theory, construction, and identity of feminine sexuality through readings of feminist theorists, Freud, Lacan, Horney, and others.

(Also offered as HIST 471)

A historical exploration of the place of women within the social systems of pre-Columbian and colonial Latin America. Will explore the gendered dimensions of the economy, politics and culture in indigenous and Spanish societies.

Advanced investigation of feminist theories.

Prerequisite: 324

(Also offered as HIST 427)

Study of sexual behavior, politics and ideology in Western Society from the pre-modern world to the contemporary era. Background in History of Women Studies is suggested.

(Also offered as HIST 428)

Study of women’s participation in wars and revolutions, and discussion of the social impact of these events which often alters women’s status, experience and expectations. Typical approach using global example and case studies.

Addresses the changing role of men and women in work organizations, the new and changing issues which leaders face in the organization, the organizational perspectives on the roles of leaders and men and women’s issues as leaders.

Prerequisite: MGMT 306 and MGMT 307

Restriction: permission of instructor

(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.

(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.

(Also offered as LLSS 587)

Focuses on historical and sociological analysis of discrimination as well as its psychological effects on children and adults. Includes the development of sex roles, the effects of curricula materials and Title IX.

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

Restriction: senior standing and permission of instructor.

{Spring}

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

Student is expected to present a topic for study. May be repeated for credit three times.

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.

(Also offered as HIST 520)

Study of sex roles in primitive societies, classical views of women, the Judeo-Christian treatment of women, medieval social roles and the changes that came with the Renaissance and Reformation. Attention will be paid to the role of women in the family and to their economic function as well as to the less common activities of saint, witch and revolutionary.

(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.