College Catalog
Course Descriptions
Women's and Gender Studies (WMGS)

WMGS 110 Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies
This introduction to the discipline of Women's and Gender Studies will focus on one central question: what difference does gender make? By examining a variety of texts (articles, novels, films, popular culture), we will learn not only how to analyze issues of power, gender, and identity, but we will also relate those issues to the wider world around us. Specific thematic units include socialization, violence, work, the female body, language, sexuality, motherhood and the family, race, globalization, and voices from the third wave of feminism. Cross-listed with HUMA 110.

WMGS 260 Gender and Culture
What is gender and how is it related to culture? This anthropology course takes a cross-cultural look at the concept of gender, examining men's and women's roles, masculinity, femininity, and sexuality as they are expressed around the world. Particular attention will be given to gender as it relates to popular forms of culture and everyday life. Both the history of anthropological studies of gender and new directions in the field will be introduced. Extensive use of films, videotapes, and student-directed projects. Normally offered Spring semester alternate years. Cross-listed with SOCI 260.

WMGS 311 Women and Literature
Through exploring literary texts by women, we will examine how the construction of "woman," sex, and gender has changed over time and investigate how it intersects with issues of race, class, sexuality, and nation. By using feminist literary theory, we will engage with the most pressing issues in the field from early ideas of a particular women's literary voice to contemporary claims that challenge female authorship altogether. Special topics may include Contemporary Women Writers; Gender and 19th Century Novel; and Ethnic Women Writers. Authors may include Virginia Woolf, Adrienne Rich, Gloria Anzaldna, Audre Lorde, Bharati Mukherjee, Dorothy Allison, Edwidge Danticat, and Marjane Satrapi. Cross-listed with ENGL 311. Spring semester, alternate years.

WMGS 318 Feminist Theology
This course introduces the student to Feminist Theology as a theology of liberation, examines its foundations in feminist theory and Christian revisionist sources, and explores its contributions the Christian, especially the Catholic, faith tradition. Crosslisted with RELS 318. Fulfills General Education Area 1 Upper - Religious Studies Requirement. See Extended General Studies Course Description.

WMGS 324 Women in the Bible
This course will have as its main focus the women of the Bible. We will read stories that will surprise, shock and educate us as to the role women played in biblical times. This course will read the Old and New Testament stories of women in light of the interpretative issues present in feminist theology and biblical interpretation. Throughout the course, we will continue to reflect on questions concerning the role of women in contemporary society. Cross-listed with RELS 324. Fulfills General Education Area 1 Upper - Religious Studies Requirement.See Extended General Studies Course Description.

WMGS 335 Women and Work
This course examines the topic of women and work historically, with attention to changes over time in the work histories of African and American women. Throughout, we will explore women's working lives in the context of the gendered social norms within which they have lived. Within this general framework, the course will examine types of occupations such as domestic work, prostitution, farming, agricultural work, market trading, and professional/managerial work. The course will also explore the intersections of work with marriage and parenting, and the effects of race and class upon women's working lives. Alternate years. Cross-listed with HIST 335.

WMGS 351 Women, Gender, and Imperialism
From the 1850s through the 1950s, western women played significant roles in British colonies in Africa and India in the fields of education, public health and missionary work. These woman believed that they could improve the lives of non-western women by acculturating them to the norms of their own middle-class, western and Christian lives. The course will explore how these women tried to reshape key social institutions in Africa and India such as marriage, parenting, medical practices and religion. This course will also explore how the women and men these individuals came to "civilize" in turn shaped the cross-cultural encounter through their powerful reactions to the often unwelcome acculturating messages they received. The course draws upon historical materials and autobiographical, literary, missionary and travelers' accounts to investigate these events. Cross-listed with HIST 351. Spring semester, alternate years.

WMGS 360 Feminist Theory
This course takes a sociology of knowledge approach to the development of feminist theory from the 18th century to the present. The variety of modern and postmodern feminist theories are placed in social, political, and historical context. Primary source examples of each school of thought are read, applied, and evaluated. Because feminist thought has been a response to the conditions of women throughout history, women's oppression at various points in history will be covered. Cross-listed with SOCI 360. Offered alternate years.

WMGS 490 Independent Study
This course allows staff and students to explore together topics of special interest. Women's and Gender Studies Advisory Committee approval required.

WMGS 494 Internship in Women's and Gender Studies
This internship experience allows students to apply their studies in a supervised work situation. Students benefit from an inside look at different kinds of organizations, by having a chance to work in their field of study, and by gaining experience with state-of-the-art equipment and practices. Junior or senior standing and consent.

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