Women's and Gender Studies (WGS)
https://cola.unh.edu/womens-gender-studies
Women's and gender studies provides students with an understanding of the status of women in various cultures and historical eras, in the nexus of race, class, sexuality, religious and disability studies. Students learn the use of gender as a category of analysis and increase their knowledge of women's contributions to many fields. Women's and gender studies courses offer students critical perspectives on such basic questions of the social order as assumptions about gender roles and gender identity.
As a relatively small department in the College of Liberal Arts, we provide students with a sense of community and opportunities to contribute directly to changing the campus climate. In a rigorous academic environment, women's and gender studies offers students a springboard for activism. Our internship program enables students to gain first-hand work experience across many fields.
A major or minor in women's and gender studies or social justice leadership prepares students for careers where the changing roles of women are having a perceptible impact. Women's studies graduates go on to law school and graduate school in a variety of disciplines. Some have taken positions with social change or family service agencies, while others have found work in such fields as health care, journalism, education, human rights, social and environmental justice, and the arts.
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 #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 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