Women's and Gender Studies (WGS)
Visit the Course Schedule Search website to find out when courses will be offered during the academic year.
Read more about the courses within this subject prefix in the descriptions provided below.
WGS 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.
Equivalent(s): WS 403
Grade Mode: Credit/Fail Grading
View Course Learning Outcomes
- Develop an understanding of popular perspectives of what it means to grow up as an athlete in America: the mask we all wear; the miseducation of boys and girls; anger, violence, and sexual assault; racism; healthy and unhealthy sports models; the loss of 'true self' and the impact on the developmental process and identity formation; and more.
WGS 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)
Equivalent(s): WS 405
Grade Mode: Letter Grading
View Course Learning Outcomes
- It is my goal for the class to be an active learning experience with opportunities to work as a group \\nand individually on professional and personal goals. I expect students to come to class prepared to \\ndiscuss, analyze and critique the assigned materials. My expectations are that all voices and opinions \\nwill be heard during each class. If a student is dominating the conversation, I will respectfully ask the \\nstudent to give other students in the class appropriate space and opportunity to participate. \\nDisagreements with particular views can create stimulating discourse, but need to be presented with \\nrespect and integrity. Please be mindful and respectful of the experiences and feelings of your \\nclassmates.
WGS 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)
Equivalent(s): WS 444A
Grade Mode: Letter Grading
View Course Learning Outcomes
- Create and maintain a collaborative and inclusive environment, and reflect on our successes and failures as a collaborative, inclusive learning community.
- Understand fundamental concepts, theories, history, and contemporary expressions of race and feminism as a social justice movement.
- Investigate and analyze the social construction of race and gender and their intersections with other socially- constructed categories of difference (such as ethnicity, nationality, class, sexuality, ability, weight, appearance, age, and others).
- Explore activism as a mechanism for enacting feminism as anti-racism in our spheres of influence.
WGS 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.
Equivalent(s): WS 505
Grade Mode: Letter Grading
View Course Learning Outcomes
- The goal of the course is to center fat feminism and explore an intersectional approach to the \\nbody.
WGS 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)
Equivalent(s): WS 510
Grade Mode: Letter Grading
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- Demonstrate the ability to think critically about categories of difference—including gender, sexuality, race, nation, class, religion--and explore the relationship between inequality and those categories of difference.
- Demonstrate understanding of how difference influences the values, beliefs, and experiences of individuals and groups in across historical, cultural, political and geographic contexts.
- Define and apply central concepts in Women's and Gender Studies and Queer Studies, including but not limited to sexuality, power, privilege, inequality, justice, violence, the body, reproductive health, and intersectionality (i.e., interlocking and simultaneous forms of oppression).
- Know the history of feminist thought and production, especially as it has been inflected by cultural difference.
- Demonstrate self-reflectiveness, cultural awareness, critical analysis, and the ability to effect personal and community change.
- Write and speak clearly, be able to construct persuasive arguments based on their experiences, the experiences of others, and on scholarship; be able to conduct research using feminist methodologies.
WGS 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.
Equivalent(s): WS 795
Grade Mode: Letter Grading
View Course Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate the ability to think critically about categories of difference—including gender, sexuality, race, nation, class, religion--and explore the relationship between inequality and those categories of difference.
- Demonstrate understanding of how difference influences the values, beliefs, and experiences of individuals and groups in across historical, cultural, political and geographic contexts.
- Define and apply central concepts in Women's and Gender Studies and Queer Studies, including but not limited to sexuality, power, privilege, inequality, justice, violence, the body, reproductive health, and intersectionality (i.e., interlocking and simultaneous forms of oppression).
- Know the history of feminist thought and production, especially as it has been inflected by cultural difference.
- Demonstrate self-reflectiveness, cultural awareness, critical analysis, and the ability to effect personal and community change.
- Write and speak clearly, be able to construct persuasive arguments based on their experiences, the experiences of others, and on scholarship; be able to conduct research using feminist methodologies.
WGS 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 796, WS 796W
Grade Mode: Letter Grading
View Course Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate the ability to think critically about categories of difference—including gender, sexuality, race, nation, class, religion--and explore the relationship between inequality and those categories of difference.
- Demonstrate understanding of how difference influences the values, beliefs, and experiences of individuals and groups in across historical, cultural, political and geographic contexts.
- Define and apply central concepts in Women's and Gender Studies and Queer Studies, including but not limited to sexuality, power, privilege, inequality, justice, violence, the body, reproductive health, and intersectionality (i.e., interlocking and simultaneous forms of oppression).
- Know the history of feminist thought and production, especially as it has been inflected by cultural difference.
- Demonstrate self-reflectiveness, cultural awareness, critical analysis, and the ability to effect personal and community change.
- Write and speak clearly, be able to construct persuasive arguments based on their experiences, the experiences of others, and on scholarship; be able to conduct research using feminist methodologies.
WGS 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.
Equivalent(s): WS 797
Grade Mode: Letter Grading
View Course Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate the ability to think critically about categories of difference—including gender, sexuality, race, nation, class, religion--and explore the relationship between inequality and those categories of difference.
- Demonstrate understanding of how difference influences the values, beliefs, and experiences of individuals and groups in across historical, cultural, political and geographic contexts.
- Define and apply central concepts in Women's and Gender Studies and Queer Studies, including but not limited to sexuality, power, privilege, inequality, justice, violence, the body, reproductive health, and intersectionality (i.e., interlocking and simultaneous forms of oppression).
- Know the history of feminist thought and production, especially as it has been inflected by cultural difference.
- Demonstrate self-reflectiveness, cultural awareness, critical analysis, and the ability to effect personal and community change.
- Write and speak clearly, be able to construct persuasive arguments based on their experiences, the experiences of others, and on scholarship; be able to conduct research using feminist methodologies.
WGS 798W - Colloquium
Credits: 4
Intensive study of specialized topic for advanced students. Topics vary with instructor. Barring duplication of topic, may be repeated for credit.
Attributes: Writing Intensive Course
Repeat Rule: May be repeated up to 8 times.
Equivalent(s): WS 798
Grade Mode: Letter Grading
View Course Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate the ability to think critically about categories of difference—including gender, sexuality, race, nation, class, religion--and explore the relationship between inequality and those categories of difference.
- Demonstrate understanding of how difference influences the values, beliefs, and experiences of individuals and groups in across historical, cultural, political and geographic contexts.
- Define and apply central concepts in Women's and Gender Studies and Queer Studies, including but not limited to sexuality, power, privilege, inequality, justice, violence, the body, reproductive health, and intersectionality (i.e., interlocking and simultaneous forms of oppression).
- Know the history of feminist thought and production, especially as it has been inflected by cultural difference.
- Demonstrate self-reflectiveness, cultural awareness, critical analysis, and the ability to effect personal and community change.
- Write and speak clearly, be able to construct persuasive arguments based on their experiences, the experiences of others, and on scholarship; be able to conduct research using feminist methodologies.
WGS 799H - 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
Equivalent(s): WS 799
Grade Mode: Letter Grading
View Course Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate the ability to think critically about categories of difference—including gender, sexuality, race, nation, class, religion--and explore the relationship between inequality and those categories of difference.
- Demonstrate understanding of how difference influences the values, beliefs, and experiences of individuals and groups in across historical, cultural, political and geographic contexts.
- Define and apply central concepts in Women's and Gender Studies and Queer Studies, including but not limited to sexuality, power, privilege, inequality, justice, violence, the body, reproductive health, and intersectionality (i.e., interlocking and simultaneous forms of oppression).
- Know the history of feminist thought and production, especially as it has been inflected by cultural difference.
- Demonstrate self-reflectiveness, cultural awareness, critical analysis, and the ability to effect personal and community change.
- Write and speak clearly, be able to construct persuasive arguments based on their experiences, the experiences of others, and on scholarship; be able to conduct research using feminist methodologies.