Introduction to Women’s Studies
WOST 207
Professor Astrid Henry
TR 3:30-4:45
This course will focus on the lives and work of American women, the significance and meaning of gender at different periods in American history, and the development of U.S. feminism and feminist theory. Central to this course will be the ways in which race, ethnicity, sexuality, class, and age and generational location shape women’s experiences and the various socio-political meanings of gender in the U.S. This course will be interdisciplinary in its approach, meaning that we will read feminist essays from a wide range of disciplines, including cultural studies, economics, history, philosophy, political theory, psychology, and sociology. Gen Ed.
Global Feminisms
WOST 290
Professor Isis Nusair
MW 11:00-12:15
This class aims to provide students with the ability to understand, critique, and comparatively analyze the politics of gender in local/global contexts. The course will trace the development of feminist thinking and practice within national, international and transnational contexts, and will map the political agendas of women's and feminist movements in various countries around the world. The course focuses on how feminisms emerge in a particular context and the specific issues that galvanize women to act for change. The course explores the connections between feminism, colonization, nationalism, militarism, imperialism, and globalization, and analyzes the processes by which the agendas of women from the global north and global south come together or clash. The course will examine through case studies from Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East and North Africa the concerns and challenges facing the local/global women's and feminist movements in the 21st century. The class is interdisciplinary and draws on writings by local and global activists and theorists.
Sexuality: Feminist Theories and Debates
WOST 390, section 01
Professor Astrid Henry
TR 12:30-1:45 (This course is offered in tandem with RLST 362. Enrollment in both is encouraged but not required.)
Sexuality is one of the most contested areas in feminist thought, with some feminists arguing that sexual freedom must be central to women’s liberation, others insisting that sexuality is the central site of women’s oppression, and still others offering arguments that fall somewhere in between. In this course, we will closely examine the arguments and claims that have been made by feminists about sexuality: How have female and male sexualities been represented? What is the relationship between women’s reproductive capacities and their sexuality? What is the relationship between politics and desire? How have feminists envisioned sexual liberation? How are feminist conflicts constructed and resolved?
We’ll begin the course with an historical overview of the development of feminist theory on sexuality since the nineteenth century; alongside this history, we will read essays on central issues related to sexuality, including: biological differences between the sexes; heterosexuality and the critique of it as an institution; lesbianism and lesbian feminism; queer theory, the relationship of race and class to sexuality; violence against women; and women’s pleasure and fantasy. Following our study of this history, we will spend the second half of the course closely examining several key areas of theorizing and debate within feminism, including: sexual harassment, prostitution, and pornography. Finally, we will end by examining how young feminists–often referred to as the Third Wave–are exploring the relationship between feminism and sexuality. How have the last thirty-plus years of feminism changed their relationship to their sexualities and to the representation of female sexualities? The course is interdisciplinary, and we will read a wide survey of feminist writing from across the disciplines, including cultural studies, history, sociology, philosophy, political and legal theory, and psychology. Prerequisite: WOST 207 or permission of instructor. THEORY
Feminist Film Criticism
WOST 390, section 02
Professor Mary Kate Goodwin-Kelly
M 3:00-5:30 (includes film screening), W 3:00-4:15
In this course, we will trace the various ways in which feminist film scholars have engaged with both Hollywood and "independent cinema." We will explore some of the central interests and concerns behind these scholars’ critical work, including: the male gaze; theories of spectatorship and visibility; textual negotiations; gender and genre; Hollywood’s representations of race, gender and sexuality; and Hollywood’s representation of feminism. We will also explore the work of some feminist film practitioners. In the process, we will consider the relationship of feminist film practice to feminist film theory as well as the relationship of feminist film (and video) to various people and communities marginalized by dominant cinema. THEORY
Independent Study
WOST 497
Susan Alexander, Astrid Henry, and Phyllis Kaminski are among the Women's Studies faculty willing to direct independent study projects. Students interested should speak first to the Women's Studies faculty member who will guide the project, then contact Professor Henry to formalize the proposal and ensure proper registration.
Internship
WOST 499
Practical off-campus experience in a Women's Studies related field at an approved site. Jointly supervised by a faculty member and a representative from the sponsoring agency. Open to junior or senior Women's Studies majors or minor who have taken at least two Women's Studies courses. Must be approved by Professor Henry. Graded S/U. May be repeated for up to three hours. A reflection paper appropriate to the nature of the internship will be required.
Gender and Race Issues in Management
BUAD 329
Staff
MW 4:30-5:45
Explore the dynamics of race and gender in organizations. Attention is given to the concepts of institutional racism and sexism, socialization processes, cultural stereotypes, role theories, conflicts and stress, dual career marriages, and implications of organizational expectations on the individual. Open to non-business majors. Prerequisite: BUAD 221 or permission of instructor.
Radical Women Writers
ENLT 373
Professor Linn Vacca
TR 11:00-12:15
This class features close reading of a half-dozen or so texts by radical women writers, with an emphasis on their writing itself as a radical act. We will read essays by Adrienne Rich, Colette's The Pure and the Impure plus other selections by and about her, Monique Wittig's Les Guerillieres, Isak Dinesen's Out of Africa and excerpts from Judith Thurman's biography of Dinesen, selections from the often opaque writings of Gertrude Stein, and the remarkable modern autobiographical fiction Stone Butch Blues by Leslie Feinberg. Although none of the authors led a particularly conventional life personally, our focus in this class will be on examining how their prose itself challenges established literary conventions (and also, of course, social conventions).
Women’s Health
NURS 222
Professor Ella Harmeyer
MW 3:00-4:15
This class is designed to explore the concept of health and its significance for women. Discusses the physical, emotional, social, and cultural factors that affect the health of women. Health promotion and healthy lifestyle choices are a strong focus. Women's responsibilities and leadership in health awareness are emphasized. Non-nursing majors
Ecofeminism
PHIL 290
Professor Alex Stotts
MWF 10:00-10:50
Laws, regulations, and recommendations are not enough to halt the environmental crisis we continue to face at the beginning of the 21st century. We must profoundly change human relationships to and our thinking about nature. Toward that end, this course will acquaint students with some of the recent connections being made between environmentalism and feminism. Topics will include: the character and origin of ecofeminism; ecofeminist ethics; women/men, nature/culture, mind/body; the role of biotechnology; deep ecology vs. ecofeminism debates; is there such a thing as "sustainability"?; women’s experiences of global environmental destruction. A primary goal of this class will be to explore ways environmental scientists and feminists can work together to transform society and science to create a livable world. Prerequisite: PHIL 101. THEORY
Theories of Social Change
POSC 390
Professor Cricket Keating
TR 6:00-7:15
In this course, we will look at various theories of social change aimed at transforming race, class and gender relations and inequalities. The learning goals of the course are: to foster critical conversations about race, class, and gender in communities inside and outside of the classroom; to examine the relationship of theory and practice through readings, films, discussions, and guest lectures; and, to draw on insights from communities and "everyday" practices to develop feminist and anti-racist theory. THEORY
Women and Sexuality
RLST 362
Professor Phyllis Kaminski
TR 2:00-3:15 (This course is offered in tandem with WOST 390, section 01. Enrollment in both is encouraged but not required.)
This course examines theological positions about women and sexuality historically and in contemporary society. We will begin by examining what Scripture and Tradition have said about women and human sexuality. This fundamental anthropology has shaped theological reflection on such topics as creation, sin, grace, salvation, and the Christian community. It has resulted in church teaching on "the dignity and vocation of woman" that idealizes women and constructs their understanding of themselves. As historical agents, however, even as women have internalized the sex/ gender roles given them, they have also discovered wisdom from within the tradition. Using this wisdom, and in dialogue with worldwide communities of women, feminist theologians are exploring how race, ethnicity, sex/gender, class, age, figure into women's religious understandings. Because this is a religious studies/women's studies class, readings will include traditional theological texts, a spectrum of feminist theological writings, as well as selections from other disciplines such as psychology, sociology, and literature. We will end with an interfaith, interdisciplinary discussion of issues surrounding women, justice, and sexuality. The goal of the course is to understand traditional positions in the light of contemporary insights and contemporary issues in the light of Christian principles. Prerequisite: RLST 101 and second Gen Ed. THEORY
Social Stratification: Issues in Class, Gender, and Race
SOC 360
Professor Susan Alexander
TR 2:00-3:15
This course identifies and investigates general principles of stratification, various theoretical explanations by which inequality emerges and is maintained, the relationship between class and other forms of inequality in the United States (namely, gender, race, and sexual orientation), and variations among the social classes. Through a reading of qualitative materials based upon field research methods, the course focuses on the particular role of women in each socioeconomic class and compares the roles of women in various classes. The goal is to enhance the student's understanding concerning both stratification in general and the interrelationship among class, gender, race, and sexual orientation in the United States. Prerequisite: SOC 153 and SOC 200, or WOST 207. THEORY.
Family Violence and Sexual Abuse Issues
SW 370
Professor Fran Kominkiewicz
MWF 11:00-11:50
This course introduces students to issues of family violence and sexual abuse. Course content includes an examination of major areas related to family violence and sexual abuse, including practice, research, policy, history, and literature in the family violence and sexual abuse field. Ethics and values, as well as criminal justice issues regarding family violence and sexual abuse, are emphasized. Students will address domestic violence issues, international violence against women, rape, date rape, and sexual assault. Students will visit agencies working with abuse and will have the opportunity to interact with local experts in the field. Prerequisite: SW 202, SW 235, Psyc156, or permission of instructor.
