Spring 2008 Courses

Interdisciplinary Perspectives of Women

Tace Hedrick
Anita Anantharam
Trysh Travis

WST 3015 – Section 1358
WST 3015 – Section 4454
WST 3015 – Section 6895
T 5, R 6-7; TUR 2305; 3 Credits
MWF 4; TUR 1315; 3 Credits
T, 3 R 3-4; TUR 2349; 3 Credits (GR:4)

Drawing on materials and methodologies from a variety of disciplines, this class explores the diverse experiences of women, both in past eras and in the present, in the U.S. and abroad. Required for the Women's Studies major and minor; fulfills the General Education requirement in international studies and diversity. (Fills Gen Ed Requirements for: H, SS, D)    

Transnational Feminisms

Anita Anantharam

WST 3415– Section 5401
MWF 6; TUR 2333; 3 Credits

This course places women and feminism in a transnational perspective, focusing on various theories and movements engendered by women in contemporary national contexts. Development, reproductive politics, women’s health, etc., will be examined. (Fills Gen Ed Requirements for:  H, SS, I)

Global Violence Against Women

Amanda Davis

WST 3930– Section 0472
R 10E1 TUR 2333; 3 Credits

This course examines the range of forms of violence committed against women, many of the global consequences of this violence, and the resistance strategies and structural changes being created to lessen it. Although violence against women is usually regarded as a cultural constant that exists in virtually every part of the world, we will make a focused effort to assess the specific social and geographical contexts in which it occurs and the effects on particular areas and communities that it can have. The class, as a result, will be largely international in scope. (H/SS)

Women of Color in the US

Stephanie Evans

WST 3930 – Section 1390
T 8-9 and R 8; TUR 2305; 3 Credits

This course is designed to provide an overview of the intersection of race, ethnicity, sex, and gender presence, oppression, and creative resistance in the historical and contemporary experience of Native American, Asian American, African American, and Latina women. The course seeks to enhance understanding of how racism and sexism function in the political, social, and economic systems of the U.S. Women of color in the U.S. have formed communities of resistance that will be explored in their writings. (H/SS)

Gender in Arab Culture

Atiqa Hachimi

WST 3930 – Section 1421
T 5-6, LIT 233; R 6, MAT 2; 3 Credits
Joined with PRT 2490/1531

Studies . (H,  GID)

Cultural Production of Masculinities

Timothy Fogarty

WST 3930 – Section 2949
M 7, W 7-8; Room TBA; 3 Credits

Gender constructions are an integral component of cultural production and masculinities are the hegemonic genders of many contemporary cultures.  This course will challenge us through readings, writings, class discussions and ethnographic interviews to understand the matrix of distinct values and practices that are embedded in various masculinities from around the world.  (SS, TPS)

African Women Writers

Rose Lugano

WST 3930 – Section 4929
T 7-8; TUR 2318, R 7, TUR 2336; 3 Credits

The course will enable students to explore African women writers and critics, look at their theoretical priorities, literary themes and cultural positions. It is designed to provide students with both a specific and a general view of the status, achievements and experiences of African women in fiction. Using different genres (novels and plays) we will endeavor to understand how women’s literary expression has been shaped by history, culture, and their experiences, as well as see how they are addressing issues of gender in their respective societies. Discussions will focus on issues of identity, oppression, resistance, exile, language, translation and colonialism, using as points of entry a diverse set of texts. Finally, students will examine how African women writers are using writing itself as a tool for social transformation and critique.  (H)

Motherhood in Modern Hebrew Literature

Abraham Balaban

WST 3930 – Section 5331

T 7-8; TUR 2318, R 7, TUR 2336; 3 Credits

This course examines applied feminist theories regarding motherhood to the field of modern Hebrew literature. (H)

Independent Study

Faculty

Variable Credits 1-3
WST 4905 – Section Department Controlled
Can be repeated up to 6 credits

For advanced undergraduate students who desire to supplement the regular courses by independent reading or research. Online application.

Capstone Seminar in Women’s Studies

Trysh Travis

WST 4935 – Section 1883
T 7, R 7-8; UST 108  3 Credits

This course (required for all majors) is the culmination of the Women’s Studies major. It explores some examples of past and present scholarship to reaffirm the interdisciplinary nature of the field and to highlight the relationships among feminist theory, intellectual practice, and social change. The bulk of the semester is devoted to a full-length independent project on a topic of student’s own choosing.

Internship

Milagros Peña

WST 4940 – Section Department Controlled
Can be repeated up to 6 credits

Prerequisite: Permission of instructor and program chair

Proseminar: Feminist Social Science Research Methods

Milagros Peña

WST 5933 – Sec 5488
W 7-9, UST 108;  3 Credits

This course is designed to expose students to feminist qualitative social science research methods.  In doing so, we explore the relationship between feminism and methodology by engaging a number of issues central to exploring how intersections of gender, race, and class shape social research.  Questions related to the problem of speaking for others, author identities, and biases are also explored.  The course uses feminist research methods as a basis for developing studies focused on field research, oral and life histories, ethnographies, and text analyses.  A major theme in the course will be how social science research can provide an opportunity for those who are “subjects” of study to reflect on their experiences and be transformed and empowered by the process, including the researcher.

Advanced Feminist Theory

Tace Hedrick

WST 6508 – Section 1594
T 7-9; LIT 0223; 3 Credits

Prereq: 6000 level course in feminist theory or equivalent.
Contemporary theory with focus on common themes among academic disciplines. Since feminist theory is by its very nature interdisciplinary, this course is designed to acquaint students with some foundational feminist theory--in primary texts--across the disciplines: philosophy, art history, literary studies, sociology, anthropology, the sciences. By foundational" I mean feminist thought which has been influential in shaping academic feminist scholarship since the so-called "second wave" of United States and European feminism, beginning (roughly) in the late 1940s and moving up to the present. Simone de Beauvoir, Judith Butler, Whitney Chadwick, Janice Radway, Nancy Hartsock, bell hooks, Jane Gallop, Gayatri Spivak, Patricia Williams, Pat Hill Collins, Gayle Rubin will be some of the individuals discussed in the course. Course requirements include one 25-30 page final paper, 8 response papers, and one short presentation. 

Independent Study

Faculty

Variable Credits 1-3
WST 6905 – Section Department Controlled
Can be repeated up to 6 credits

Prerequisite: Permission of instructor and department chair and 1 Women's Studies course or course that counts for women's studies Independent reading or research under guidance. Online application.

Sociology of Gender

Kendal Broad
WST 6935 – Section 4766  M 6-8; MCCB 2102; 3 Credits

Joined with SYD 6807/ Sec 9079

Theoretical and empirical literature about social construction of gender, providing overview of key literature.

Internship in Applied Women's Studies and Gender Research

Faculty 

1-3 Credits
WST 6946 – Section Department Controlled
Can be repeated up to 6 credits

Prerequisite: Permission of program director

Practical experience in community. Internship with local agency, group, or business in women’s issues. Online Application

Master's Research

Faculty

WST 6971 – Section Department Controlled
1-15 Credits

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