Women's and Gender Studies

WGST 1950  BLACK WOMEN IN AMERICA (3 credits)

This course will examine how Black women in America have evolved politically, economically, and socially under oppressive conditions of slavery, the Reconstruction Era, Jim Crow, and through the Civil Rights, Black Lives Matter, and "Me Too" Movements. The underlying themes of this course are the impact of gender and race on Black women, with an emphasis of how gender and race are fueled by white supremacy, patriarchy, colonialism, capitalism, and imperialism. (Cross-listed with BLST 1950)

Distribution: U.S. Diversity General Education course

WGST 2000  SPECIAL TOPICS: GENDER AND SEXUALITY IN ENGLISH STUDIES (3 credits)

A variety of topics primarily for the non-major. (For example, this course might study the image of businesswomen in American literature.) One or two such topics may be offered each term, depending upon student interest and available faculty. Students should consult each term's class schedule in order to determine the specific topics for that term.

Prerequisite(s): None. ENGL 1160 recommended

WGST 2010  INTRODUCTION TO WOMEN'S AND GENDER STUDIES: SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE (3 credits)

A survey course which explores social science perspectives on women, men, and gender, including the biological contribution to human behavior and the impact of science as an institution. Examines challenges to traditional definitions of women's place and movements for change. Includes historical and multicultural materials.

Prerequisite(s): ENGL 1150 is recommended.

Distribution: Social Science General Education course and U.S. Diversity General Education course

WGST 2020  INTRODUCTION TO WOMEN'S AND GENDER STUDIES: HUMANITIES (3 credits)

An introduction to women's and gender studies in the humanities (literature, art, dance, music, theatre, philosophy). Explores both historical and contemporary images of women in these fields; discusses the context in which these images developed. Introduces the basic concepts and terminology of women's and gender studies.

Prerequisite(s): ENGL 1150 is recommended.

Distribution: Humanities and Fine Arts General Education course and U.S. Diversity General Education course

WGST 3000  SPECIAL TOPICS: GENDER AND SEXUALITY IN ENGLISH STUDIES (3 credits)

A study of designated specific topics related to gender and sexuality studies within the disciplines of English (May be repeated for credit as long as the topic is not the same.)

Prerequisite(s): Variable according to topic.

WGST 3020  PERSPECTIVES ON LEADERSHIP (3 credits)

This course studies scholarship on and the practices of gender and leadership for undergraduate students. It is a service-learning course.

Prerequisite(s): WGST 2010 or WGST 2020

WGST 3080  HUMAN SEXUALITY (3 credits)

An examination of factors influencing sexual development. Emphasis is given to topics pertinent to healthful living in today's culturally diverse, global society. (Cross-listed with PHHB 3080).

WGST 3100  LGBT POLITICS (3 credits)

This course introduces students to the political struggle for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) equal rights in the United States using a model of political empowerment, which may be applied for all minority or identity groups and social movements, generating operationalized measures of progress toward the loci of political power. (Cross-listed with PSCI 8105, PSCI 3100, WGST 8105)

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 1100 is recommended.

Distribution: U.S. Diversity General Education course

WGST 3120  WOMEN AND THE BIBLE (3 credits)

This course explores the characterization of women in Hebrew and Christian scriptures as well as what we can learn about the lives of women in the ancient world from these and other sources. Attention is also given to the reception and use of these texts in later historical periods including contemporary religious contexts. (Cross-listed with RELI 3130).

WGST 3130  WOMEN AND POLITICS (3 credits)

This course introduces students to women's political participation, including holding elective office, socialization, the feminist movement and its opposition, and public policies with particular impact on women. The focus is on contemporary perspectives on women in American political ideas and behavior. (Cross-listed with PSCI 3130, PSCI 8135, WGST 8135)

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 1100 is recommended.

Distribution: U.S. Diversity General Education course

WGST 3160  QUEER AMERICAN WESTS (3 credits)

A survey of queer literatures about the American West. The course will explore a variety of genres, including poetry, short stories, plays, novels, creative nonfiction, and, depending on time, film/television. "Queer" will be construed as including any "non-normative" sexualities and sexual identities (e.g., genderqueer, winkte, two-spirit, 3rd/4th gender). Non-western writers (e.g., Walt Whitman) imagining the West queerly may also be included. (Cross-listed with ENGL 4280, ENGL 8286).

Prerequisite(s): ENGL 1160; completion of writing in the major course recommended.

WGST 3180  GENDER IDENTITY IN PERSONAL WRITING (3 credits)

Students will read a variety of memoirs and personal essays by both emerging and established LGBTQIA-plus creative nonfiction writers and allies, with a focus on trans writers; analyze the craft choices each author makes; analyze textual and theoretical explorations of gender identity and gender performativity; and explore their gender identities, and gender experiences in the essays that they compose. (Cross-listed with ENGL 3180).

Prerequisite(s): ENGL 1150 and ENGL 1160 or equivalents required.

WGST 3230  GENDER AND GLOBAL POLITICS (3 credits)

This seminar introduces students to gender politics in comparative and international politics. (Cross-listed with PSCI 3230, PSCI 8235, WGST 8235)

Prerequisite(s): PSCI 2500 is recommended.

Distribution: Global Diversity General Education course

WGST 3390  WOMEN, CRIME AND JUSTICE (3 credits)

This course focuses on women's experiences in the criminal justice system. The course will examine women's experiences as victims of crime, as offenders, as prisoners, and as criminal justice professionals. (Cross-listed with CRCJ 3390)

Prerequisite(s): WGST major; CRCJ or WGST minor; CRCJ 1010, ENGL 1160 and 45 credit hours; or instructor permission.

Distribution: U.S. Diversity General Education course

WGST 3490  GENDER AND PHILOSOPHY (3 credits)

This course examines philosophical arguments concerning gender and sexual difference, gender issues and women in the history of philosophy, and major views in feminist theory. Using arguments derived from feminist theory, we will undertake a critical inquiry into the ways in such gender, geography, and power inform political institutions and, in particular, medical research and health disparities. Taking the perspective of women's lives from across the globe through case studies, we will interrogate feminist theory in relation to non-US perspectives on gender and sexuality. (Cross-listed with PHIL 3490).

Prerequisite(s): Sophomore status OR 6 hours of PHIL OR 6 hours of WGST.

Distribution: Global Diversity General Education course

WGST 3750  GENDER AND COMMUNICATION (3 credits)

This course provides a survey of literature on communication about, by, and between women, men, and trans people in society, personal relationships, and organizations. Students develop an understanding of how cultural meanings of gender both shape and are shaped by communication. (Cross-listed with CMST 3750).

Prerequisite(s): Not open to non-degree graduate students.

Distribution: U.S. Diversity General Education course

WGST 4000  SPECIAL TOPICS: GENDER & SEXUALITY IN ENGLISH STUDIES (3 credits)

A study of designated specific topics related to gender and sexuality studies at the Senior level within the disciplines of English (May be repeated for credit as long as the topic is not the same.)

Prerequisite(s): Variable according to topic

WGST 4010  SENIOR SEMINAR (3 credits)

This course provides a capstone experience in women's, gender and sexuality studies. It serves as the third writing course, and is required, for women's and gender studies majors. It is open to seniors who have completed at least five courses in Women's and Gender Studies, including WGST 2010 and WGST 2020, with a 'C' or better; others may enroll with permission.

Prerequisite(s): Senior standing, completion of at least five women's studies courses, including WGST 2010 and WGST 2020, with a grade of 'C' or better; or permission.

WGST 4020  INTERNSHIP IN WOMEN'S AND GENDER STUDIES (1-6 credits)

A faculty-supervised project involving part-time employment or service with a community agency, business, non-profit organization, university or other educational unit, or another appropriate organization or setting. Students will gain relevant practical experience and will integrate theory, concepts, and empirical knowledge from their classrooms with their work in the internship setting. Permission of instructor is required.

Prerequisite(s): WGST 2010 and WGST 2020, enrollment either as a WGST major or minor or as a BMS concentration in WGST, a 3.0 GPA, and permission of instructor.

WGST 4030  PERSONAL LEADERSHIP (3 credits)

In addition to a survey of leadership styles and theories, this course provides historical and contemporary perspectives of gender and leadership, barriers to women's leadership, bias, and discrimination. Individual leadership is examined within the context of being a change agent. This is a service learning course.

Prerequisite(s): WGST 2010 or WGST 2020

WGST 4050  SPECIAL TOPICS IN WOMEN'S AND GENDER STUDIES (3 credits)

This course will give instructor and students the opportunity to investigate a variety of advanced topics in Women's Studies. The content will vary from semester to semester, according to instructor. May be repeated for credit as long as topic differs.

Prerequisite(s): WGST 2010 and WGST 2020 or permission of instructor.

WGST 4060  HISTORY OF WOMEN IN AMERICA FROM 1875 - 1922 (3 credits)

This course examines the history of women in the United States from 1875 to 1992. Topics include law, work, sexuality and reproduction, immigration, civil rights, political participation and party politics, and changes to the American gender system, including family structure and employment. (Cross-listed with HIST 4060, WGST 8066, and HIST 8066).

Prerequisite(s): Junior or permission of instructor.

WGST 4070  GENDER AND LEADERSHIP CAPSTONE: COMMUNITY ACTION PROJECT (3 credits)

This course is designed for students in the final stage of the Gender and Leadership Certificate. Activities focus on practical experience in an organization that will allow students to exercise, observe, and later share lessons with classmates about leadership qualities and skills.

Prerequisite(s): WGST 2010 or WGST 2020 and either WGST 3020 or WGST 4030

WGST 4120  BLACK WOMEN LEADERS IN LIBERATION MOVEMENTS (3 credits)

This course studies scholarship on race, gender, and leadership with a specific focus on African and African descended women's roles in liberation movements in the U.S. and worldwide. Especial focus will be on the use of their personal narratives to analyze the wide range of ideas in the conception and execution of leadership. (Cross-listed with BLST 4120, BLST 8126).

Prerequisite(s): Junior standing or permission of instructor.

WGST 4130  GENDER & LEADING SOCIAL CHANGE (3 credits)

This course will cover theories, philosophies, movements, and concepts related to social change as a process and outcome. It is a service-learning course.

Prerequisite(s): WGST 2010 or 2020. Junior standing or permission.

WGST 4150  GEOGRAPHY, GENDER AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP (3 credits)

An advanced seminar focused on links among geography, gender and work, emphasizing leadership and entrepreneurship. The course considers theory and method in addition to empirical work. The nature of space, of gender, and of work, are examined. Topics include the gendering of work, the geography of entrepreneurship, gender and leadership. (Cross-listed with ENTR 4150, ENTR 8156, GEOG 4150, GEOG 8156 and WGST 8156).

Prerequisite(s): Junior, senior, or graduate standing, or permission of instructor.

WGST 4210  GEOGRAPHIES OF SEXUALITIES (3 credits)

How are geography and sexuality related? What have cities got to do with sexual identities? Can rural spaces foster diverse sexual communities? These and related questions are the focus of this upper-level undergraduate and graduate-level course. Students read scholarly work by and about LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and +), and cisgender people, and their lived experiences creating and inhabiting different geographies. Students gain an appreciation for the social construction of diverse sexualized spaces and considers questions about equity and policy through case studies in a variety of countries. Each student also researches a course-relevant topic they choose. (Cross-listed with GEOG 8216, GEOG 4210, WGST 8216).

Prerequisite(s): GEOG 1000, GEOG 1020, WGST 2010, or WGST 2020, or junior standing, or permission of the instructor.

WGST 4250  WOMEN'S STUDIES IN LITERATURE (3 credits)

A critical study of literature by and/or about women in which students learn about contributions of women to literature, ask what literature reveals about the identity and roles of women in various contexts, and evaluates standard interpretations from the perspectives of current research and individual experience. (Cross-listed with ENGL 4250, ENGL 8256).

Prerequisite(s): ENGL 1160 and one additional course in literature or permission.

WGST 4270  WOMEN WRITERS OF THE NORTH AMERICAN WEST (3 credits)

A survey of U.S. and Canadian women writers (18th century to the present) enabling students to examine issues of gender and sexuality across a wide thematic range, including settlement, land use, cultural displacement, and survival in western territories, states, and provinces of North America. (Cross-listed with ENGL 8276, ENGL 4270).

Prerequisite(s): ENGL 1150 and ENGL 1160 or equivalent; completion of ENGL 2410 or other writing in the major course recommended.

WGST 4550  HEALTH ASPECTS OF AGING (3 credits)

This course emphasizes health promotion for older adults. Special health needs of older Americans are compared and contrasted with health needs for other age groups. Prevention or delaying of chronic diseases and disorders are emphasized. (Cross-listed with PHHB 4550, PHHB 8556, GERO 4550, GERO 8556)

WGST 4910  TOPICS IN WOMEN'S HISTORY (3 credits)

A course on selected topics offered on a one-time or occasional basis. Course may be repeated as long as the topic is different each time. Cross listed with WGST 4910/WGST 8916 when topics are appropriate to Women's and Gender Studies.

Prerequisite(s): Junior

WGST 4930  SPECIAL TOPICS IN GENDER AND ART HISTORY (1-3 credits)

An illustrated lecture course dealing with a limited topic in the field of art history. The course may be coordinated with an external event such as an exhibition, publication or study trip.

Prerequisite(s): To be determined by the instructor based upon the preparation required for an adequate understanding of the material of the course. Lab fee required.