Women's Studies Core Courses
Current Course Listings
WMST 2010 Introduction to Women’s Studies
(3 credits)
This is an introduction to the
interdisciplinary academic field which has the triple focus of
integrating information about women’s contributions to
culture and history into the curriculum, uncovering and
understanding structures of oppression (gender, race, and class),
and exploring possibilities for change. Topics for reading and
discussion will be drawn from material on social structures, law,
language, history, religion, philosophy, the healing professions,
and the arts. Articulating questions and points of view regarding
issues related to gender is stressed.
WMST 2020 Women in Global Perspective (3
credits)
Emphasizes diversity of
women’s experience in non-western, non-industrialized
societies. Concentrates on women's participation in,
interaction with, and resistance to patriarchal structures that
inhibit economic, political and human rights for
women.
WMST 3330 Feminist Thought and Practice (3
credits)
Prerequisites: WMST 2010 or WMST 2020. Explores a
variety of theoretical frameworks for studying women and gender
and links feminist theory to social action and civic
responsibility.
WMST 4500 Senior Capstone (3 credits)
A synthesis course
through which students draw from their individual courses of
study to develop and pursue social justice, professional, and/or
advanced educational objectives.
Women's Studies Elective Courses
Current Course Listings
Currently or previously offered that were approved Women's
Studies courses.
Course content will vary by semester.
Special topics courses may or may not be a women’s
studies approved courses each semester, please gain prior
approval from Women's Studies Program.
ARTA 4117/5117: Women Artists (3 credits)
CJCR 4670: Women and Crime (3 credits)
Examination of experiences of
women and people of color with agencies of social control.
Comparisons of crime rates, types of criminal offending, and
victimization including discussion on sexual and racial
harassment in the workplace.
ELPA/MGMT: 4460 Leadership Studies (3 credits)
The study of leadership from
historical and contemporary perspectives. Students will identify,
apply, and reflect on aspects of leadership development,
including concepts of personal change toward effective leadership
in a changing environment. Topics cover personal assessment and
development, values and ethics, power and influence,
followership, group dynamics, controversy with civility, and
citizenship.
ENGL 3500: Women Authors (3 credits)
Study of significant women
writers, including essayists, and how their works address gender
issues.
ENGL 4087/5087: Themes in Women’s
Literature (3 credits)
Studies of themes and issues
affecting women as portrayed in selected fiction, poetry, and
drama. Themes vary by semester.
ENGL 4290: Film Genres- Women in Film (3
credits)
A genre approach, including but
not limited to, comedy, Western, film noir, and documentary.
Themes may vary by semester.
FCNU 4507/5507: Social Concerns and Women’s
Health (3 credits)
This course addresses the
historical perspectives and current status of women’s
health, special concerns related to women’s health and the
economic, political, and cultural factors which impact
women’s health.
HDAL 2340: Understanding Cultural Diversity (3
credits)
This course is designed for the
student to develop competencies that allow her/him to be more
effective when relating and/or working with individuals of
diverse groups in society. Students will have opportunities to
develop awareness of their own cultural values and biases, to
study prevalent beliefs and attitudes of different cultures, and
to develop skills useful for appropriate interactions with
particular groups.
HIST 4837/5837: American Women Since World War
II (3 credits)
An examination of the social,
political, economic, commercial, legal, sexual, and racial issues
faced by American women since the end of World War II. Topics
will include the domestic containment of the 1950s, Betty
Friedan’s 1963 groundbreaking study,
The Feminine Mystique, birth control,
Roe V Wade, the origins of protest movements,
women’s liberation, defeat of the Equal Rights Amendment,
and the rise of radical and conservative feminism.
PHIL 3110: Philosophies of Feminism ( 3 credits)
Prerequisite(s): Two (2) PHIL courses at the 1000 - 2000
level or permission of the instructor. Examination of
the major forms of feminist theory and also the role, functions
and limitations of theory in addressing gender-related
issues.
PSYC 3300: Psychology of Women (3 credits)
Prerequisite(s):
PSYC 1310. In this course, we will explore and discuss
important issues in the field of psychology as it relates to
women and gender, apply our discoveries to real world situations,
and critically evaluate the research being done in the psychology
of women.
SOAA 3030: Gender and Society (3 credits)
Prerequisite(s): SOAA 1020 or permission of
instructor. Study of the social construction of gender
and its consequences for individuals and society. Examination of
our cultural assumptions about gender identities, roles,
behaviors, and the social processes that reproduce gender
inequality.
SOWK 1030: Cultural Diversity (3 credits)
The dual purpose of this course is to
introduce the knowledge necessary for social work practice with
disadvantaged, marginalized, and oppressed groups and to advance
a philosophy that people come first and must be treated with
dignity and respect. Issues of power, prejudice, discrimination,
oppression, civil rights, historical and legal heritage, and
contemporary news events are central course components.
Opportunities are provided for examining personal values and
beliefs and their impact on interactions with minority groups.
Although several aspects of diversity will be examined, the
emphasis is on race, class, gender, ethnicity, and affectional
orientation. Implications for sensitive, effective, and affirming
practice with minority groups are examined.
SPCH 3346 Speaking for Social Change (3 credits)
This course provides advanced-level training in public address, and channels that training into civic engagement efforts that challenge issues of privilege, power, and difference. Students will write, present, and analyze speeches in class, on campus, and in the community.
SPCH 4200/5200: Gender and Communication (3
credits)
This course investigates how communication
practices shape, reinforce, or resist definitions and experiences
of gender.
THEA 4957/5957: Women in Theater History (3
credits)
The purpose of this course is to explore, and
attempt to reconstruct where appropriate, theatrical history as
it pertains to the contributions of Women in all aspects of the
American Theatre. After completing this course the student
will be able to (1) recognize names and attributes of significant
female theatre artisans, (2) understand the significance of
gender and point of view while reading plays, theatre history
tests, and other supplemental materials, (3) adopt the skills
necessary to continue a life-long and objective exploration of
the contributions of significant women in the theatre, past and
present.
WMST 4080: Internship (3 credits)
Supervised professional
and/or social justice work experience that synthesizes the
student’s program of study.
WMST 4950: Issues in Women’s
Movement (3 credits
)
Studies of varying themes
and issues related to women’s social movement(s).
This course may be repeated under different
subtitles.
Women’s Studies Emphasis
Courses
Special sections of standard courses are sometimes taught with a Women's Studies Emphasis. Check the link at Current Course Listings.
ENGL 2220: British Literature II-
WS Emphasis (3 credits)
Prerequisite(s):
ENGL 1010 and ENGL 1020; or equivalent. Survey of major
British writers from the Romantic Period to the present. Emphasis
on women writers and topics related to women.
ENGL 2330: World Literature- WS Emphasis (3
credits)
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 1010 and ENGL 1020; or equivalent
. Various genres from such non-European cultures as early Middle
East, Asian, African, and Latin American.
HDAL 2340: Understanding Cultural Diversity-
WS Emphasis (3 credits)
This course is designed for the
student to develop competencies that allow her/him to be more
effective when relating and/or working with individuals of
diverse groups in society. Students will have opportunities to
develop awareness of their own cultural values and biases, to
study prevalent beliefs and attitudes of different cultures, and
to develop skills useful for appropriate interactions with
particular groups.
PHIL 1030: Self and World-
WS Emphasis (3 credits)
An introduction to some central
philosophical problems concerning free will, the self, science,
and reality.
PHIL 2040: Philosophy as Conversation-
WS Emphasis (3 credits)
An introduction to philosophy as
self-examination. Focus on discussion of the beliefs and values
of the students in the class.
SOAA 2020: Social Problems- WS Emphasis (3
credits)
Sociological study of major
current problems confronted in American society and the beliefs
that compound them.
SPCH 1300: General Speech-
WS Emphasis (3 credits)
A study of effective
intra-personal, interpersonal, group, and public communication,
as well as an introduction to communication theory and nonverbal
communication. Emphasis on communication as it relates to gender
and women's lives.