Women's Studies
WMS 201 (3 Credits) Fall
Introduction to Women's Studies (3+0)s
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
(Cross-listed with 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: 1999 - 00.)
WMS 303 (3 Credits) Alternate Spring
Gender in Cross-Cultural Perspective (3+0) s
(Cross-listed with 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: 1999 - 00.)
WMS 308W,O (3 Credits) Alternate Fall
Language and Gender (3+0) s
(Cross-listed with ANTH 308W,O and LING 308W,O)
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
(Cross-listed with JPN 331W)
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: 1999 - 00.)
WMS 333 (3 Credits) Spring
Women's Literature (3+0) h
(Cross-listed with 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 335W (3 Credits) Spring
Women, Crime and Justice
(Cross-listed with JUST 335W)
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
(Cross-listed with 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 350W (3 Credits) Alternate Fall
Women, Society and Social Welfare (3+0)s
(Cross-listed with SWK 350W)
Examination of theories and research concerning women's issues in the field of social work and in the social welfare system, with particular emphasis on women in poverty and women of color. Contemporary policy issues and strategies of empowerment will be covered. (Prerequisites: SWK 103 or SOC 100X, or permission of instructor.)
WMS 351 (3 Credits) Alternate Years
Gender and Communication (3+0)s
(Cross-listed with 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.)
WMS 360O (3 Credits) Alternate Spring
Psychology of Women Across Cultures (3+0) s
(Cross-listed with PSY 360O)
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.)
WMS 375 (3 Credits) As Demand Warrants
Women and Development (3+0) s
(Cross-listed with 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 380O (3 Credits) Fall
Women, Minorities and the Media (3+0)h
(Cross-listed with JB 380O)
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) As Demand Warrants
Women in Music History (3+0) h
(Cross-listed with 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.)
WMS 424 (3 Credits) Alternate Spring
Topics in Women's History (3+0) s
(Cross-listed with 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.)
WMS 440 (3 Credits) Alternate Spring
Gender and Education (3+0) s
(Stacked with ED 640 and cross-listed with ED 440)
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.)