WMST Womens Studies

An interdisciplinary course that explores the diversity of women's lives through essays, readings, and the study of scholarly theories and research. The course will examine a wide range of social issues which affect the status of women in a historical context and in contemporary society.

An introduction to the psychological theory and research regarding gender issues and diversity. The course is designed to introduce the student to the psychological, health, and social issues affecting contemporary women and men in a diverse society. (Cross-listed as PSYC 2200.)

Overview of the various physical, mental, and social issues that influence women's health, with attention to historical and social diversity. Historical assessment of the U.S. women's health movement and social issues of the 20th century. Assessment of the approaches to the prevention and treatment of diseases that affect women and the biological and socio-cultural perspectives that inform them. (Cross-listed as HLTH 3120)

Prerequisite: Sociology 1121 or permission of instructor. An analysis of how gender is socially produced, and the implications of gender for individuals, social processes, and social structure. Focus on the complex intersections between gender inequality and inequalities of race/ethnicity, class, and sexualities. (Cross-listed as SOCI 3432).

Prerequisite: Completion of WMST 2010 "Women and Society" with a grade of "C" or better. In addition, students must be registered for the Minor in Women's Studies in order to register for this course. An investigation and development of skills, knowledge, and methodology needed to address the issue of human sexuality, with attention to racial, cultural, and gender differences in regard to sexual values, attitudes, and behaviors. This course is non-repeatable.

Prerequisite: WMST 2010 or permission of the instructor. A survey of critical questions and methods in contemporary Women's Studies scholarship. Rotating topics may include feminist philosophies, feminist social theories, feminist theologies.

Prerequisite: completion of the core or permission of the instructor. A study of the contributions of women writers and critics to the development of literature. (Cross-listed as ENGL 4445.)

Prerequisite: ENGL 2110 or IDST 2305. A course that will be concerned with the African woman writer's preoccupation with the condition of African womanhood. It will look at these writers' treatment of issues like motherhood, polygamy, marriage, changing roles, the exploitation of women, the education of women, women in politics and women and tradition. (Cross-listed as BLST 4452 and ENGL 4452)

Prerequisite: completion of the core or permission of the instructor. A selection of texts by African American women writers of the nineteenth and/or twentieth centuries, addressing topics from among the following: the effects of slavery on Black female sexuality, the Harlem Renaissance and the construction of race and gender, Pan-African identity, bi-culturalism, historical memory, and personal power.

Prerequisite: ENGL 2110 or IDST 2305 and WMST 2010. In-depth study of selected works of fiction, poetry, autobiography, etc., written by Native American women, with attention to socio-cultural context and the role of gender and identity. (Cross-listed as ENGL 4671).

Prerequisite: WMST 2010 AND permission of the instructor. Students in this small, intensive reading seminar will examine key documents related to the development of the battered women's movement in Britain and the U.S., study the evolving theoretical frameworks for scholarship in this field and become familiar with examples of successful practices in intervention and prevention of domestic violence. Students will also take part in a theory-practice learning project related to this field.

Prerequisite: WMST 4720. Students in this small, intensive seminar will read current scholarship on domestic violence and models for community response. They will also spend a significant amount of time working for service organizations dealing with domestic violence and providing services to victims. They will become familiar with examples of successful practices in intervention and prevention of domestic violence, and with administrative, financial and legal aspects of running such programs.

This course introduces women artists traditionally neglected by art historical surveys, the primary emphasis of the course will be on the socio-historical issues and the critical concepts that have informed these exclusions. Beginning with goddess cultures, we will map the impact Feminisms have had on art production and reception. and feminist art historians' efforts to reconstruct the art historical canon. Theories of race and class will be explored as well as contributions from film theory and lesbian studies. (Cross-listed as ARTS 4800). No prerequisite.

Prerequisite: completion of the core or permission of the instructor. Consideration of topics in which courses are not offered, but for which there is a current interest. Subject matters varies. (Cross-listed in discipline of professor offering the course.)