WOMEN'S STUDIES (WS)

WS-101 INTRO TO WOMEN'S STUDIES (3 Credits)

A multidisciplinary overview of the language and concepts of the field of Women's Studies. The roles played by society in the construction of images of women will be examined. Feminist challenges to patriarchal structures of exclusion will be analyzed.

WS-106 THE WOMEN OF GREECE (3 Credits)

A survey of the status, role, and figure of women in Greek History.

WS-253 GENDER CRIME AND DEVIANCE (3 Credits)

Examines the biological, psychological, and social-cultural correlates of gender and gender-based crime, both adult and juvenile, in American society. Students utilize current research students to examine crinimilogical theories and their applicability to women and female juveniles.

WS-299 SP TOP IN WOMEN'S STUDIES (3 Credits)

An intensive study of a particular area or topic in Women's Studies. The content of the course will be announced prior to the semester in which it is offered.

WS-307 FEMINIST PHILOSOPHY (3 Credits)

This course will acquaint students with the rich and diverse traditions of feminist thinking about women and society. The course will introduce students to feminist philosophy by exploring the interplay between gender, feminism, and foundational questions of philosophy.

WS-313 WOMEN IN SPORTS (3 Credits)

This course covers the past, present and future of women and sport, addressing subjects such as womens sports in ancient Crete, industrial league sport for women, biomedical considerations, and psychosocial dimensions of womens sport including sociocultural, political, and economic factors that have led to changes in women in sport. A 10-hour practicum provides experiences in physical activity programs.

WS-316 HUMAN SEXUALITY (3 Credits)

This course will offer a broad view of human sexuality from multidisciplinary perspectives: the psychological, biological, sociological, and historical. Topics will include research methods in the area of sexuality, human sexual anatomy, response, motivations, variations, reproduction, and basic sexological vocabulary, gender differences, developmental issues, and current and emerging theories and controversies regarding gender identity, sexual orientation, and the treatment approaches for sexual dysfunction and other sexual problems.

Prerequisite(s): Take PSYC-101

WS-325 HISPANIC WOMEN WRITERS (3 Credits)

Students will study literature written by women in the Hispanic world from the past to the new millennium. Selected works will be approached from historical, literary, social, and political perspectives for a critical modern understanding of women's roles, issues, and their contributions to the humanities in the past and in contemporary Hispanic societies.

WS-330 WOMEN IN THE ANCIENT & MODERN MIDDLE EAST (3 Credits)

A survey of the social position of women in selected areas of the Ancient and Modern Middle East from prehistory to the present day through various sources and disciplines including: history, biography, art, archaeology, law, literature, politics and religion.

WS-339 PHIL. OF LOVE & SEX (3 Credits)

A critical examination of various problems in the areas of sexual language, monogamous marriage and its alternatives, pre-marital and extra-marital sex, the logic of deviation, feminism, pornography, abortion and the concept of love.

WS-366 WOMEN IN EAST ASIA (3 Credits)

Women in East Asia explores how Chinese and Japanese women created, accepted, defended, revised, or resisted their roles in traditional society and how those roles changed after the coming of the West. It will use a comparative approach to understand the similarities and differences in these two traditions as well as how women's roles varied across class and ethnic boundaries. This course uses an interdisciplinary approach, emphasizes discussion, and includes a variety of sources including historical studies, oral histories, fiction, and film.

WS-370 FEMINIST THEOLOGIES (3 Credits)

This course will introduce students to seminal texts and emerging pathways in the disciplines of Christian theology and theological ethics that center women's experiences and scholarly reflection on sex and gender. It will focus on feminist theologies done especially with regard to systematics, biblical studies, and theological ethics; the course material will cover a variety of feminist theological perspectives with special attention to intersectional feminist, womanist, and mujerista theologies.

Prerequisite(s): TAKE THFS-101

WS-374 WOMEN AND THE BIBLE (3 Credits)

The Bible was written by, for, and about men. As a result, it reflects the ideas, judgments, and worldviews of men. This course examines how this male-centered perspective affects the way women are portrayed (or more often ignored) throughout the biblical record. The contributions of women to the social and religious life of ancient Israel and the early Christian church are regularly downplayed in these writings, and negative images and stereotypes of women abound. The few women who are honored for their accomplishments are notable exceptions to the rule. What are we to make of this overt bias? Does faithfulness to the Bible mean that people of faith must accept all that it says about women and men? Is it possible for us to learn to read the biblical texts in a gender-neutral way? What could we learn about the place of women in ancient Israel and the early church if we make the effort? These are some of the questions that will be addressed in this course.

WS-375 WOMEN & POLITICS (3 Credits)

Women in most societies have been traditionally considered apolitical. This course seeks to break this commonly held image of women in a number of ways. A primary goal of the course is to develop a broad and sophisticated understanding of politics that can reveal the multifaceted ways in which women are politically involved. A second goal of the course is to recognize the diversity of women in politics will be enhanced by consideration of women in a variety of political settings. The course seeks to develop an understanding of how different political and economic regime types - revolutionary, military, democratic, neo-liberal, etc. - have a distinct impact on women and men.

WS-377 WOMEN IN LITERATURE (3 Credits)

This course will involve an in-depth critical investigation of literature written by or about women. Concentration on works from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Focus on fiction.

WS-420AM SP TOP: PYSCHOLOGY OF WOMEN (3 Credits)

This course examines psychological theory and research on women's lives, with particular attention to gender socialization, intersectionality, gender stereotypes, and the ways these forces shape women's development and experiences across the lifespan. We will explore how gender intersects with race, class, sexuality, culture, and other identities to influence experiences related to work, structural inequality, health and well-being, violence, and other domains. Students will critically evaluate major psychological frameworks and empirical findings to understand how psychologists conceptualize and define gender. We will also discuss and analyze contemporary issues that continue to shape women's lived experiences. A diversity of perspectives is essential to this course. Students and instructor alike share responsibility for fostering a respectful, intellectually rigorous environment in which differing viewpoints can be expressed thoughtfully and constructively.

WS-482 WOMEN, MINORITIES & THE MEDIA (3 Credits)

This course has two main themes: the history of women and minority journalists working in the U.S. media from the Colonial era to the present day and portrayals by the media of these collective groups often left outside the mainstream. Films, guest speakers and primary source materials supplement the overview textbook.

WS-490 INDEPENDENT STUDY (3 Credits)

Directed independent study in selected topics in Women's Studies. Student will engage in an advanced project, selected readings or research. Such course can replace any required or elective course in Women's Studies. May be taken more than once for a maximum of 6 credits.

WS-499 COLLOQUIUM IN WOMEN'S STY (3 Credits)

An advanced seminar designed for students pursuing a major or minor in Women's Studies. The course will explore contemporary issues in Women's Studies through a combination of readings and student research, including one capstone paper. The topic of the seminar, which may vary from year to year is announced ahead of time in the university course schedule.

Prerequisite(s): Take WS-101 and 6 credits of WS courses