Women’s Studies (WS)

UNDERGRADUATE COURSES WS 100 Introduction to Women’s Studies 3(3-0) The course serves two purposes: (1) to train students in feminist perspective-taking, and (2) to introduce them to issues affecting women’s lives using an interdisciplinary framework. (*) WS 105 (POLSC, PSYCH, SOC 105) Understanding Human Diversity 3(3-0) Americans live in a complex and diverse society. This course examines the nature, impact, and strategies for dealing with diversity in personal and social contexts. (*) WS 206 (SOC 206) Gender and Society 3(3-0) Examination and evolution of relationships between sex roles, culture, and societal institutions and processes, including an analysis of sexual stratification. (*) WS 211 (PSYCH 211) Women and Society 3(3-0) Statistical overview of the current status of women, followed by examination of theories concerning equality of the sexes. (F) WS 212 (PSYCH 212) Sexism and Racism in America 3(3-0) Dynamics of prejudice and discrimination in terms of sex and race; special attention to analysis of strategies for improving relations. (S) WS 230 (NSG 230) Women, Health and Society 3(3-0) Introduction to women's health issues and a basic understanding of how women's health has been influenced historically, culturally and by socio-economic factors. (*) WS 231 (PSYCH, SOC 231) Marriage, Family, and Relationships 3(3-0) Marriage and family from an institutional and relationship perspective; cross-cultural diversity, mate selection, marital dynamics, parenting, divorce, remarriage, emerging patterns. (F,S,SS) WS 235 (MCCNM 235) Women and Media 3(3-0) The historical and cultural implications of the mass media’s portrayal of women and the extent of their media participation from colonial to contemporary times. (*) WS 240 (CS 240) Chicana Writers 3(3-0) Survey of Chicana writers from the early 1900s to the present. Along with the literature, aspects of history, sociology and politics will be incorporated. (*) WS 291 Special Topics (1-3 VAR) (*) Repeatable WS 301 Theories of Gender and Culture 3(3-0) Explores the range of feminist theories and their connections to feminist research. (F) WS 305 (SOC 305) Crime and Women 3(3-0) Exploration of social, cultural and political variables that create both women victims and women criminals. (*) WS 306 (CS 306) La Chicana 3(3-0) A social, cultural, and historical overview of the Chicana experience and contributions. (F,S) WS 330 (MCCNM 330) Gender and Film 3(3-0) A discussion course which examines gender roles in theatrical and documentary film while considering the perspective of producers, actors, and spectators and salient film theories. Prerequisite: upper division standing in MCCNM or Women’s Studies. (*) WS 335 (ENG, SPCOM 335) Gender and Communication 3(3-0) This course examines the ways that gender affects communication behaviors and helps develop an awareness of the processes that affect gender socialization and stereotyping. (*) WS 340 (ENG 340) Women in Literature 3(3-0) Intensive study of literature written by women, in historical, cultural, and critical contexts. Prerequisite: ENG 102. (*) WS 401 (CS 401) Third World Feminisms 3(3-0) This course focuses on Third World women’s challenging views of global feminism and feminist representations of “other” women. (*) WS 403 (SOC 403) Human Sexuality and Social Behavior 3(3-0) Sexuality and sexual conduct from a sociological and social psychological perspective. Prerequisite: junior or senior standing. (*) WS 407 (SOC 407) Family Violence 3(3-0) The extent, seriousness, and impact of the major forms of domestic violence. (*). WS 427 (HIST 427) Women & Gender in European History 3(3-0) Examines impact of women and ideas about gender on aspects of European history since 1500; and examines impact of historical changes on women and gender. Prerequisite: HIST 103 or permission of instructor. (*) WS 428 (HIST, SOC 428) Women & Work 3(3-0) Examines historical and contemporary issues for women of various economic, social, and ethnic groups, especially in the US; examines gender ideologies about paid, unpaid work. Prerequisites: junior or senior standing or permission of instructor. (*) WS 453 (SOC 453) The Sociology of the Body 3(3-0) Exploration of what it is like to live through (in/with/as) our female and male bodies. Examination of writings in the field of body studies. Prerequisite: SOC 101. (S) WS 455 (SOC 455) Hate Crimes 3(3-0) Examines assumptions about race, gender, sexuality, and others that are used to justify hate crimes; examines common forms, emphasizing causal factors and effects. Prerequisite: SOC 101. (*) WS 490 Special Projects (2-6 VAR) Allows one or more students to conceptualize, create, and complete a project relating to women’s studies, under supervision of faculty member(s) approved by WS program. Prerequisites: WS minor, junior or senior standing, and approval of WS curriculum committee. (*) Repeatable (6) WS 491 Special Topics (1-3 VAR) Prerequisite: junior or senior standing with adequate preparation or permission of instructor. (*) Repeatable WS 492 Research (2-6 VAR) Research project selected by student and supervised by a faculty member with the approval of WS. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits. Prerequisites: WS minor, junior or senior standing, and approval of WS curriculum committee. (*) Repeatable (6) WS 493 Seminar 3(3-0) Integrates classroom and experiential learning, applying theories and methods to a selected topic in a seminar on women’s issues. Prerequisite: WS 301 or permission of instructor. (F,S,SS) WS 494 Field Experience (2-6 VAR) Application of the WS disciplinary framework to an off-campus volunteer work experience, under the supervision of a faculty member approved by WS. Prerequisites: WS minor, junior or senior standing, and approval of WS curriculum committee. (*) Repeatable (6) WS 495 Independent Study (1-3 VAR) Prerequisite: permission of instructor. (*) WS 498 Internship (2-6 VAR) Application of the WS disciplinary framework to a work experience, under the direction of the selected site and a faculty member approved by WS. Prerequisites: WS minor, junior or senior standing, and approval of WS curriculum committee. (*) Repeatable (6)