Contents
Additional Information
Amy E. Farrell, Professor of American Studies and Women's Studies (On leave 2008-09)Stephanie Gilmore, Assistant Professor of Women's StudiesSusannah Bartlow, Director of the Women's CenterMara Donaldson, Professor of Religion (On leave 2008-09)Susan M. Feldman, Professor of Philosophy, Chair (Fall 2008) (On leave Spring 2009)Ashley P. Finley, Assistant Professor of Sociology (On leave 2008-09)Ann M. Hill, Associate Professor of Anthropology, Chair (Spring 2009) Lynn R. Johnson, Assistant Professor of EnglishEbru Kongar, Assistant Professor of Economics Stephanie Larson, Professor of Political Science Andrea B. Lieber, Associate Professor of Religion, Sophia Ava Asbell Chair in Judaic StudiesRebecca Marquis, Assistant Professor of Spanish Nancy C. Mellerski, Professor of French and Film StudiesHeather A. Merrill, Associate Professor of Anthropology and Geography (on leave 2009-10)Robert D. Ness, Associate Professor of English Sharon O'Brien, Professor of English and American Studies, James Hope Caldwell Professor Of American Cultures Jerry Philogene, Instructor in American StudiesSusan D. Rose, Professor of Sociology, Director of the Community Studies Center Daniel Schubert, Associate Professor of Sociology Regina M. Sweeney, Associate Professor of History Karen Weinstein, Associate Professor of Anthropology All Women's Studies majors will take ten courses and a transcript notation internship. The ten courses must include:
Core courses (all four are required):WGST 200: Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies
WGST 250: Methods in Women's and Gender Studies"
WGST 300: Topics in Women's and Gender Studies
WGST 400: Senior Seminar in Women's and Gender Studies
OR, another course approved by the department chair.
Feminist perspectives (one course required):WGST 210: Philosophy of Feminism
WGST 220: History of American Feminism
WGST 230: European Feminism
OR, another course approved by the department chair.
Cross Cultural Study of Women and Gender (one course required): WGST 217: Cross Cultural Perspectives on Gender
WGST 218: Biosocial Aspects of Female Sexuality
WGST 219: Geographies of Gender
SOCI 224: Political Economy of the Family
OR, another course approved by the department chair.
Electives (four courses required):Four additional courses in Women?s and Gender Studies or courses from a list of approved electives from other departments.
Internship: All majors must successfully complete a transcript notation internship approved by the department chair and the Career Center.
Finally, graduating seniors are asked to write an evaluative essay explaining how the Women's and Gender Studies major has influenced them personally. In this essay, students explain how particular courses or groups of courses have illuminated new issues for them, and they discuss the ways they have participated in feminist activism such as through internships, student groups, extra-curricular activities, class presentations or conferences.
All Women?s and Gender Studies minor students will take six courses and an internship for transcript notation, chosen in consultation with the department chair or minor advisor. The courses must include:
WGST 200: Introduction to Women?s and Gender Studies
Feminist Perspectives: (one course required):WGST 210: Philosophy of Feminism
WGST 220: History of American Feminism
WGST 230: European Feminism
OR, another course approved by department chair
Cross Cultural Studies of Women and Gender (one course required):WGST 217: Cross Cultural Perspectives on Gender
WGST 218: Biosocial Aspects of Female Sexuality
WGST 219: Geography of Gender
SOCI 224: Political Economy of the Family
OR, another course approved by department chair
Electives: Three additional courses in Women?s and Gender Studies or courses from a list of approved electives from other departments.
Internship: All students must successfully complete an internship for transcript notation approved by the department chair and the internship office.
First and Second Years: WGST 200; WGST 250; a course on feminism; a course on cross-cultural study of women and gender; one or two electives
Third Year: WGST 300; one or two electives; possible internship; possible study abroad
Fourth Year: WGST 400; internship and/or elective as needed
The Department encourages study abroad. Early planning makes this more possible. The internship may be done while abroad.
A student pursuing honors must enroll for a one semester, independent study that will culminate in a well-researched, sophisticated, and clearly written thesis ranging from 50-75 pages. Students can self-nominate, but will be officially selected based on performance in the Senior Seminar, especially the research paper, which must show strong potential for further development toward a thesis. The selection is also based on the department faculty's assessment of the student's academic ability and potential for successfully completing the project. Once accepted, the student will work closely with one advisor but will receive guidance and resources from other members of the department. The project must be completed by two weeks prior to the last class day in the spring semester of the senior year, so that the professor and students have time to prepare for an oral defense. The committee will be comprised of two department faculty members and a third faculty member who contributes to Women's and Gender Studies. Only the best projects will be granted Honors, but any student who completes the project will receive credit for the one semester of independent study.
If a student is pursuing honors in two majors through an interdisciplinary thesis, the project must be of a significant length and scope to qualify for honors in two departments. The specific criteria must be established and mutually agreed upon by the student and the advisers of both departments.
All students must successfully complete an internship for transcript notation approved by the department chair and the internship office.
101 Topics in Women's and Gender Studies This course will focus on specific topics within women's studies in the humanities, such as women and literature; women and the arts; women's voices across culture.
This course will fulfill either a Division I.a. or a Division I.b. distribution requirement, depending upon topic.102 Topics in Women's and Gender Studies This course will focus on specific topics within women's studies in the social sciences, such as girlhood and adolescence, women and popular culture; coming of age from cross-cultural perspectives; women and diversity; women and work.
This course will fulfill the Division II distribution requirement.135 Psychology of Women and Gender See course description with
PSYC 135 listing.200 Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies This is an interdisciplinary course, integrating literature, economics, sociology, psychology, history, anthropology, and geography. The focus will be primarily on the representation and experience of women, with attention to issues like gender roles, the family, work, sexuality, race, class, and feminism.
This course will fulfill the Division II distribution requirement. Prerequisite: one semester of college study, with preference given to sophomores.201 Topics in Women's and Gender Studies This course will focus on specific topics within women's studies in the humanities, such as women and literature, women and the arts, women's voices across culture.
202 Topics in Women's and Gender Studies This course will focus on specific topics within women's studies in the social sciences, such as girlhood and adolescence; food, gender, and dieting; women and popular culture; women and diversity; women and work.
210 Philosophy of Feminism See course description with
PHIL 210 listing.
217 Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Gender See course description with
ANTH 217 listing.
Offered every other year.218 Bio-Social Aspects of Female Sexuality See course description with
ANTH 218 listing.
Offered every other year.219 Gender, Space and Identity See course description with
ANTH 219 listing.
Offered every other year.220 History of American Feminism This course will emphasize such topics as the 19th century women's movement, the suffrage movement, radical and liberal feminism, and African-American feminism. We will pay particular attention to the diversity of women's experiences in the United States and to women's multiple and often conflicting responses to patriarchy and other forms of oppression.
Prerequisite: One course in Women's and Gender Studies or history or permission of the instructor.230 European Feminism Studies in the history of European feminist movements, their political and cultural expressions, and how they interconnect with other contemporary social and cultural movements in Europe and the U.S.A.
Prerequisite: WGST 200 or permission of the instructor.250 Methods in Women's and Gender Studies This course will provide an intensive workshop introducing students to a range of methods and theories drawn from different disciplines for the study of gender and women's lives. Students will return to these methods and theories in greater depth in 400.
Prerequisite (or corequisite): WGST 200.278 European Women's History This course will explore the lives of European women in the modern period (1789 to the post WWII period). It looks at both rural and urban women, issues of class, family and motherhood as well as demands for social and political rights for women. The readings include primary sources such as housekeeping guides, novels and war propaganda and as well as secondary sources such as biographies and anthropological studies.
This course is cross-listed as HIST 278. Offered every two years.300 Topics in Women's and Gender Studies This course will focus on specialized topics within Women's Studies, such as women and creativity; women and film; health issues for women; global feminism; and feminist theologies.
Prerequisite: one Women's Studies course.305 Gender and Sexual Identities See course description with
Psychology 435 listing.Prerequisites: PSYC 202 or WGST 250, or permission of the instructor.374 African Women's History This course examines the role of women in African societies since the nineteenth century. Lectures and readings will be arranged thematically. Themes include sexuality and reproduction, the household, women's economic activity, political power, religion, colonialism, and democracy. After a discussion of gender, we will analyze pre-colonial production and reproduction, family life and religion in the twentieth century, women's roles in nationalist politics, the politics of female genital mutilation, and the lives of two contemporary African women leaders. Readings, including historical studies and novels, songs, and art, will be drawn from across the cultures and languages of Africa.
This course is cross-listed as HIST 374. Offered every two years.377 Consumerism, Nationalism and Gender This reading seminar examines the development of consumerism and nationalism in Europe and America beginning in the late 18th century and continuing on into the post-WWII era - from American Revolutionary boycotts to French fast food establishments. We will look for overlaps or polarities between the movements and the way gender interacted with both of them. Students may be surprised at the gendered aspects of both movements. We will consider, for example, the historical development of the image of women loving to shop, and we will study propaganda from the two world wars with men in uniform and women on the "home front." Our readings will include both promoters and critics of each movement.
This course is cross-listed as HIST 377. Offered every two or three years.378 Society and the Sexes This is a reading seminar that investigates three separate but interrelated threads - the history of sexuality, the history of the body and the construction of gender - in both pre-industrial and modern Europe. The course explores how definitions of male/female and feminine/masculine have changed over time and how they shaped the life experiences of men and women. Readings will include medical opinions, legal texts, diaries, novels, and political debates.
This course is cross-listed as HIST 378. Offered every two or three years.400 Senior Seminar in Women's and Gender Studies All topics will draw upon the knowledge of the history and theories of feminism and will be interdisciplinary in nature.
Prerequisite: WGST 200, or permission of the instructor.
