Women's Studies Courses
WMS 201 (3 Credits) Fall
Introduction to Women's Studies (3+0)
An interdisciplinary introduction to the field of women's studies, exploring
its development, subject matter, and methodology. Readings of studies which
have become classic examples of the importance of gender in research in many
disciplines is examined. (Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.)
WMS 202 (3 Credits) Alternate Spring
History of Women in America (3+0) s
(Same as HIST 202)
A chronological approach to the history of women in America. Introduction
to major issues of concern to historians of women, as well as different
approaches utilized in analysis of women's past; consideration of multiracial
backgrounds of American women. (Next offered: 1997-98.)
WMS 303 (3 Credits) Alternate Spring
Gender in a Cross-Cultural Perspective (3+0) s
(Same as ANTH 303)
Gender as both cultural construction and social relationship is examined
through readings in comparative ethnographies portraying gender roles in a broad
variety of societies, from hunter-gatherer to industrial. New theoretical and
methodological approaches in anthropology for exploring and understanding
women's experiences in their cultural variety are presented. Materials fee:
$5.00. (Next offered: 1997-98.)
WMS 308 (3 Credits) Alternate Fall
Language and Gender (3+0) s
(Same as ANTH 308 and LING 308)
Examination of relationships between language and gender, drawing on both
ethnographic and linguistic sources. Topics include power, socialization and
sexism. Materials fee: $5.00.
WMS 331W (3 Credits) Alternate Spring
Women's Voices in Japanese Literature (3+0) h
(Same as JPN 331)
A close reading of selected novels, short stories, poems, and diaries by
Japanese women from the tenth century to the present which reveal the personal,
social, aesthetic and intellectual concerns of women in different periods of
Japanese history. Focus on the changing role of women in Japanese society, the
role of women writers as social critics, and cross-cultural differences and
similarities in women's issues. (Prerequisites: ENGL 211X or 213X, ENGL/FL
200X; HIST 121, 122 or 331 recommended. Next offered: 1997-98.)
WMS 333 (3 Credits) Spring
Women's Literature (3+0) h
(Same as ENGL 333)
Reading, discussing and analyzing literary works dealing with the social,
cultural and political implications of patriarchal structures and traditions
from the perspective of feminist theory and criticism. Focus may be on a
particular theme, period, or genre, but readings will include both primary and
secondary texts. (Prerequisite: ENGL 111X; ENGL 211X recommended.)
WMS 335 (3 Credits) Spring
Women, Crime and Justice
(Same as JUST 335)
Interaction of women with the American justice system focusing on women as
victims, offenders and working professionals in justice agencies. Materials
fee: $10.00. (Prerequisites: JUST 110 and junior standing.)
WMS 340 (3 Credits) Alternate Spring
Women and Politics (3+0) s
(Same as PS 340)
In-depth examination of the relevance of gender in political thought and
action. Topics will vary and may include: an historical perspective of
political ideas on the nature and status of women; women's involvement in
national and/or international political movements and organizations; feminist
approaches to the social sciences; feminism as a political ideology.
(Prerequisite: One political science course or permission of instructor; HIST
101, HIST 103, WMS 201 recommended.)
WMS 351 (3 Credits) Alternate Years
Gender and Communication (3+0) s
(Same as COMM 351)
Basic socialization differences exist in the communication practices of
women and men in every culture, resulting in differing cultural constructions
of male and female gender. Those differences are addressed in the
interpersonal, organizational, and cultural contexts. Exploration of cultural
female/male dichotomy as well as individual similarities. (Prerequisite: Any
lower division communication course or permission of the instructor. Next
offered: 1997-98.)
WMS 360O (3 Credits) Alternate Spring
Psychology of Women Across Cultures (3+0) s
(Same as PSY 360)
Major theories, research and empirical data which describes the psychology
of women as a discrete field, philosophical values of feminism and history of
women's roles in society. The impact of culture on women interpersonally and
intrapsychically examined across cultures. (Prerequisite: PSY 101 or permission
of instructor. Next offered: 1997-98.)
WMS 375 (3 Credits) As Demand Warrants
Women and Development (3+0) s
(Same as RD 375)
The effect of modernization and development processes on the role of women
in a variety of Third World and tribal world contexts as well as the
increasingly important "new" role women play in these complex
processes.
WMS 380 (3 Credits) Spring
Women, Minorities and the Media (3+0) s
(Same as JB 380)
Examination of how women and minorities are portrayed in the mass media,
the employment of women and minorities in the media, as well as how accurately
the media reflects our society demographically. Presented from a feminist,
multi- culturalist perspective using a broad feminist analysis encompassing
issues of gender as well as class, race, age, and sexual orientation.
(Prerequisite: Junior standing.)
WMS 410 (3 Credits) Alternate Spring
Women in Music History (3+0) h
(Same as MUS 410)
Lives and works of female musicians, composers, and performers will be
traced from the earliest days of the ancient and mythological through the
medieval, Baroque Classical, and Romantic periods with special emphasis on
composers of the 20th century. (Prerequisite: Junior standing or permission of
instructor. Next offered: 1997-98.)
WMS 424 (3 Credits) Alternate Spring
Topics in Women's History (3+0) s
(Same as HIST 424)
An in-depth seminar on a specific topic of current interest. Topics may
change and may cover the history of European or American women from the 18th
century to the present. (Prerequisites: A lower division history course and
junior standing or permission of instructor. Next offered: 1997-98.)
WMS 440 (3 Credits) Alternate Spring
Gender and Education (3+0)
(Same as ED 440 and ED 640)
Educational practices and processes and their relation to the changing
situation of women in society. Examination of schools as sites of pervasive
gender socialization and discrimination as well as offering new possibilities
for liberation. Topics include social construction of gender; patterns of
access and achievements; gender as an organizing principle in schools and
classrooms; and feminist agendas and strategies for change. (Prerequisite: SOC
101 or ED 201 or permission of instructor. Next offered: 1997-98.)