Women's Studies (WS)

#: Course numbers with the # symbol included (e.g. #400) have not been taught in the last 3 years.

WS 401 - Introduction to Women's Studies

Credits: 4

Interdisciplinary survey of the major areas of women's studies: women's history, cross-cultural perspectives, women in literature, psychology of women, etc. Basic principles and concepts fundamental to more advanced women's studies research. Topics vary. Required for major and minor.

Attributes: Social Science (Discovery); Inquiry (Discovery); Writing Intensive Course

Equivalent(s): WS 401H

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

WS 403 - Gender Interactions in College Sports Culture

Credits: 2

An integrative view of growing up as an athlete in American culture. Analysis of major perspectives on human development and implications in sports and education. With emphasis on gender, sexual assault, and racism.

Grade Mode: Credit/Fail Grading

WS 405 - Gender, Power and Privilege

Credits: 4

This course explores the diversity of women's lives through the dynamics of status, power, privilege, and inequality in contemporary United States. Students will examine women's diverse experiences by using the theoretical framework of the social construction of race, gender, economic class, and sexual orientation in historical context. We will examine categories of difference and the processes, philosophical developments, institutions, and conditions that lead to and rely on power and privilege in modern American society.

Attributes: Humanities(Disc)

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

WS 444 - Trans/Forming Gender

Credits: 4

Using a social construction approach, students explore the multiple ways in which gender is constructed within the lives of children, women, men, and transgender people. Specific attention focuses on the social institutions and systems that encourage both the construction and reproduction of gender identity and expression across the lifespan. Students actively participate in identifying historical and current day factors and institutions that shape gender. Students explore the roles of families, schools, educational settings, media, the workplace, recreation activities, the medical system, religion, laws, and the laws and the legal system in the construction of gender.

Attributes: Social Science (Discovery); Inquiry (Discovery)

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

WS 444A - Race Matters

Credits: 4

Class examines race categories in the United States and how these historically changing categories shape our diverse realities across racial, ethnic, gendered, classed, and national identities. Students examine race as a category of difference and explore the multiple ways that individuals claim racial identities. Specific attention focuses on how diverse women have made history in their own lives and in the lives of others by resisting the interlocking systems of oppression.

Attributes: Historical Perspectives(Disc); Inquiry (Discovery)

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

WS #444C - On the Roads to Equality

Credits: 4

Looking beyond what is traditionally thought of as the women's rights movement in the United States, this course remaps women's history and activism to include a diversity of women's experiences. A multicultural examination of history focuses on women's leadership and participation in immigrant rights, labor, the Black Women's Club, economic justice, reproductive rights, self determination and feminist movements during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Attributes: Historical Perspectives(Disc); Inquiry (Discovery); Writing Intensive Course

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

WS 444D - Cyborgs, Avatars, and Feminists: Gender in the Virtual World

Credits: 4

Utilizing feminist theoretical and critical investigations of gender and techno culture, students explore women's popular and theoretical conceptions of cyberspace. Students explore numerous digital communication systems within cyberspace and examine how and why a diversity of women utilize these systems. This course provides students with the opportunity to investigate the impact that advancements in virtual technology have in the lives of women.

Attributes: Environment,TechSociety(Disc); Inquiry (Discovery); Writing Intensive Course

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

WS 505 - Survey in Women's Studies

Credits: 4

In-depth study of topics not covered in regular course offerings. The course explores the breadth and depth of Women's Studies from a historical perspective. In order to understand Women's Studies currently, students look at the historical foundations that contribute social, political, and economic influences on the topics. Barring duplication of topic, may be repeated for credit.

Attributes: Historical Perspectives(Disc); Inquiry (Discovery)

Repeat Rule: May be repeated for a maximum of 8 credits.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

WS #505O - Survey in Women's Studies

Credits: 4

Attributes: Historical Perspectives(Disc)

Equivalent(s): WS 505

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

WS 510 - Framing Feminism: Gender Politics in Film

Credits: 4

This course examines the history of feminist struggle in the U.S. by critically viewing and analyzing diverse films from the 1970s to the present. Students learn about the three waves of feminism and the various sociocultural, economic, sexual and political issues faced by women in the long and ongoing quest to achieve gender equality. Students explore methods of historical inquiry and film criticism to enable complex analyses of historical developments and contemporary arrangements of power. Attention is paid to how multiple identities and forms of oppression intersect in women's diverse lived experiences.

Attributes: Historical Perspectives(Disc)

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

WS 632 - Feminist Thought

Credits: 4

Theories of women's oppression and emancipation explored from various historical, political, cultural, and social perspectives. A major goal of the course is to increase awareness of historical and contemporary feminist approaches to understanding women's experiences, representations, and relative positions in societies. The course also considers the interrelation of theory and practice and the impact of past feminist theories on feminist movements.

Attributes: Writing Intensive Course

Prerequisite(s): WS 401 with a minimum grade of D- or WS 405 with a minimum grade of D-.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

WS 795 - Independent Study

Credits: 1-4

For advanced students who have the preparation to carry out an individual project of supervised research on a specific women's studies topic. Preparation should include WS 401 or equivalent, and/or other women's studies courses. Barring duplication of topic, may be repeated.

Repeat Rule: May be repeated for a maximum of 8 credits.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

WS 796 - Advanced Topics

Credits: 4

Advanced or specialized topics not normally covered in regular course offerings. May be repeated, but not in duplicate areas.

Repeat Rule: May be repeated up to 2 times.

Equivalent(s): WS 796W

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

WS 797 - Internship

Credits: 4

Students gain practical experience in a woman-focused agency or organization. Plan of study and requirements are developed together with a faculty adviser and the student's workplace adviser. Bi-monthly seminar with all internship students and instructor.

Repeat Rule: May be repeated up to 2 times.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

WS 798 - Colloquium

Credits: 4

Intensive study of specialized topic for advanced students. Topics vary with instructor. Barring duplication of topic, may be repeated for credit. Required for WS majors.

Attributes: Writing Intensive Course

Repeat Rule: May be repeated up to 8 times.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

WS 799 - Honors Thesis

Credits: 4-8

With a faculty sponsor, students enrolled in the honors-in-major program develop an independent, investigative project in women's studies. Written thesis.

Attributes: Honors course

Grade Mode: Letter Grading