Department of Women's and Gender Studies

WGST 2010 Introduction To Gender Studies: Gender, Sex And Difference

[3 credit hours]

Interdisciplinary introduction to gender studies. Critically examines competing theories of gender and sex identification, construction, and biological determinism. Considers ethical and intersectional issues regarding differences of gender, sex and sexuality.

Term Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall

Core Social Sciences, Multicultural US Diversity

WGST 2020 Girlhood and Adolescence

[3 credit hours]

This class examines the adolescent experience of the American teenage girl using historical documents, current films, magazines, and popular teen fiction. This class looks at the complexities that race, socioeconomic status, ethnicity and sexual orientation have on the experience of the teenage girl. Students will have several opportunities to share their own adolescent experiences as they relate to assigned readings.

Prerequisites: WGST 2010 with a minimum grade of D-

Multicultural US Diversity

WGST 2150 Proseminar In Women's & Gender Studies

[3 credit hours]

Designed for majors and minors only. Students will acquire professional skills and documents and reflect on the academic, professional, and community activist dimensions of Women's and Gender Studies. Special emphasis will be dedicated to the creation of a professional portfolio for future career, community activism and graduate studies.

WGST 2400 Women's Roles: A Global Perspective

[3 credit hours]

The course focuses on the current and evolving social, economic and political status of women in the United States and selected non-Western societies.

Term Offered: Spring, Fall

Core Social Sciences, Multicultural Non-US Diversity, OT36 Social Science

WGST 2610 Women In American Politics

[3 credit hours]

An examination of the role of women in the American political system with special attention to the socializing experiences, political power bases and legal status.

Prerequisites: PSC 1200 with a minimum grade of D-

Multicultural US Diversity

WGST 2640 Race, Class, And Gender

[3 credit hours]

Introduction to the study of race, class and gender as factors in American stratification.

Term Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall

Core Social Sciences, Multicultural US Diversity, OT36 Social Science

WGST 2880 Contemporary U.S. Queer Cultures

[3 credit hours]

An interdisciplinary, multicultural examination of diverse lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and other queer cultural productions, this course examines continuities and conflicts in aesthetics, issues, materials, and motivations for queer culture.

Term Offered: Spring, Fall

Multicultural US Diversity

WGST 2980 Special Topics In Women's And Gender Studies

[3 credit hours]

Study of selected topics relevant to Women's and Gender Studies. May be repeated for major or minor credit when topic varies.

Term Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall

WGST 3010 Global Issues In Women's Studies

[3 credit hours]

Required for the major. An interdisciplinary introduction to basic works of feminist thought, feminist methodologies and current issues in the field world-wide. Writing Intensive (WAC) course.

Prerequisites: ENGL 1130 with a minimum grade of D- or ENGL 2950 with a minimum grade of D- or ENGL 2960 with a minimum grade of D-

Term Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall

Multicultural Non-US Diversity

WGST 3020 Visual Construction Of Gender

[3 credit hours]

Writing intensive (WAC) course. This non-studio course focuses on the ways images reflect and shape our understanding of gender. Students will learn to analyze visual material in order to identify and articulate their cultural significance in relation to gender.

Term Offered: Spring, Summer

Multicultural US Diversity

WGST 3030 Women and the Body

[3 credit hours]

This class will look at the complexities of women’s relationships to their bodies and how the intersectionalities of race, gender identity, sexuality and societal pressures help shape the ways women feel about themselves. Using popular culture, feminist theory, and other mediums, this class expects students to participate in self- reflection, critical analysis, and the application of various feminist theories to their work.

Prerequisites: WGST 2010 with a minimum grade of D-

Multicultural US Diversity

WGST 3080 Women In Poverty

[3 credit hours]

Provides an understanding of women's poverty and its perpetuation through marriage and divorce, women's work and wages, welfare, children, child support and the economics of the unpaid women's labor.

Term Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall

WGST 3100 Globally Queer

[3 credit hours]

This course will survey the experiences of queer individuals and communities around the globe from a human rights perspective.

Term Offered: Spring

Multicultural Non-US Diversity

WGST 3150 Proseminar in Women's & Gender Studies

[3 credit hours]

Designed for WGST majors & minors. Students reflect on the academic, professional and community activist/engagement dimensions of Women’s and Gender Studies. Special emphasis is dedicated to the completion of a portfolio for future career opportunities, community activism/engagement, and graduate studies.

Term Offered: Fall

WGST 3200 Issues In Lesbian, Transgender, Bisexual And Gay Communities

[3 credit hours]

This course will explore current issues facing diverse LTBGQ communities including historical, socio-cultural and political perspectives.

Term Offered: Fall

WGST 3400 Feminist Approaches To Social Problems

[3 credit hours]

This course will examine current social problems from a feminist perspective. The course will examine such issues as the feminization of poverty, violence against women, homeless, prostitution, teen pregnancy, HIV/AIDS and addictions.

Term Offered: Spring

WGST 3510 Interpersonal Practice with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Individuals

[3 credit hours]

This course will provide an introduction and overview of sexual orientation and gender identity and expand understanding of how to implement affirmative models of practice with LGBTQ individuals, families and communities. Course content will include: perspectives on gender, identity formation, impact of homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia, affirming interventions with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered persons, families, youth, communities and aging; and specific challenges facing the LGBT communities such as homelessness, domestic violence, bullying, and policy.

Term Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall

WGST 3550 Feminism And Philosophy: Love, Sex and Marriage

[3 credit hours]

This course examines a number of cross-cultural philosophical conceptions of love, sex, and marriage, comparing historical and contemporary beliefs and practices in relation to gender/feminist and ethical theory. A number of philosophical and ethical issues, such as monogamy, cultural and theological contexts, pornography, marriage rights, and consent, will be investigated through readings, videos, and discussion boards, which are meant to encourage students to explore diverse viewpoints, analyze arguments, and cultivate a deeper critical awareness of their own and others’ viewpoints.

Term Offered: Spring, Summer

Multicultural US Diversity

WGST 3600 Feminist Health Humanities

[3 credit hours]

This 15-week course will be taught from intersectional, feminist, health humanities perspectives. We will use the arts and culture in combination with humanistic social theory, to examine the following: gendered and racialized health disparities; gendered and racial constructions in the history of science/medicine; illness and disability life writing; biomedical ethics; the feminist health movement; grassroots community health organizing and feminist conceptualizations of wellbeing and radical self-care. Throughout the semester, there will be a sustained emphasis on health justice and the experiences of marginalized communities (women, people of color, the LGBTQ community, people with disabilities, etc.). Participants will leave the course more aware of important discussions in the health humanities and more fully prepared to apply inclusive knowledge practices within majors and career paths involving “health” – broadly defined. The course fulfills core curriculum requirements for Multicultural U.S. Diversity & Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC).

Term Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall

Multicultural US Diversity

WGST 3650 Economics Of Gender

[3 credit hours]

Analysis of labor market outcomes and income distribution characteristics resulting from gender differences; gender-related economic outcomes: the "feminization of poverty," persistent male-female wage differential, expanding proportions of female-headed and same sex households.

Term Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall

Multicultural US Diversity

WGST 3700 Women's Studies Topics In Literature

[3 credit hours]

Specific topics vary. Check schedule of classes for specific subject.

Term Offered: Spring, Fall

WGST 3750 Women And Literature - Writing Across the Curriculum

[3 credit hours]

Examines literary works in light of major issues raised by feminist criticism. Specific emphasis varies. Recommended ENGL 2700 or 3790

Term Offered: Spring, Summer

Multicultural US Diversity

WGST 3800 Sexual Politics

[3 credit hours]

This course examines sexual politics through studying canonical literature of Western political theory, feminism and postmodern theory.

Term Offered: Spring, Fall

WGST 3980 Topics In Women's Studies

[3 credit hours]

Specific topics vary. Check schedule of courses for specific subject.

Term Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall

WGST 4010 Women's Studies Topics In Film

[3 credit hours]

Specific topics vary. Check schedule of courses for specific subject and prerequisites.

Term Offered: Spring, Fall

WGST 4110 Disability and Sexuality

[3 credit hours]

Utilizing a cultural studies approach, this course investigates complex questions of how someone becomes understood as abnormal in contemporary culture. The course looks at the disability justice and LGBTQA+ justice; trans studies and disability studies; public health and private rights. The course uses interdisciplinary texts including memoir and life writing, philosophy, history, public health and sexuality studies to address questions central to disability justice and lived experience.

Term Offered: Spring, Fall

WGST 4160 Health And Gender

[3 credit hours]

An examination of gender as a predisposing factor of health status, health behavior, health care delivery, and the structure and posture of health care professionals. Writing intensive (WAC) course.

WGST 4190 Gender In Cross-Cultural Perspective

[3 credit hours]

Analysis of gender stratification and its impact on culture in various nations and across ethnic groups in the United States.

Multicultural Non-US Diversity

WGST 4200 Women's Studies Topics In Science

[3 credit hours]

Cross-listings of 4000-level courses with biology, chemistry, geology, math, natural sciences, physics and pre-med. Specific topics vary. Check schedule of courses for specific subject and prerequisites.

WGST 4350 Women's Studies Topics In Communication

[3 credit hours]

Cross-listings of 4000-level courses with the communication department. Specific topics vary. Check schedule of courses for specific subject and prerequisites determined by the department of communication.

Term Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall

WGST 4500 Women's Studies Topics In History

[3 credit hours]

Crosslistings of 4000 level courses with the history department. Specific topics vary. Check schedule of courses for specific subject and prerequisites.

Term Offered: Spring, Fall

WGST 4510 Women In American History

[3 credit hours]

This course presents American history from early settlement to the present by examining the contributions of women, in interaction with men, to the immensely complex fabric of American life.

Term Offered: Spring, Fall

Multicultural US Diversity

WGST 4540 Witchcraft And Magic In Medieval And Early Modern Europe

[3 credit hours]

Witchcraft, religion and magic in western Europe from the 12th through 17th centuries, focusing on the origins of witchcraft belief, diabolical magic, the witchcraft and its decline.

Term Offered: Spring

WGST 4590 Law, Policy And The Politics of Sexuality

[3 credit hours]

This course explores the public policies that affect the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities in the United States and in other countries. It examines the factors that affect policymaking in this area.

Term Offered: Spring, Fall

WGST 4610 Feminist Political Theory

[3 credit hours]

Readings in and interpretation of feminist political theories about the state, power, citizenship, and identity.

Prerequisites: PSC 2800 with a minimum grade of D-

WGST 4700 Women's Studies Topics In Literature

[3 credit hours]

Specific topics vary. Check Course Schedules for specific subject.

Term Offered: Spring

WGST 4760 Feminist Readings Of Literature

[3 credit hours]

Classic works by diverse American and English men and women considered in light of significant recent feminist scholarship and how such perspectives enhance classroom teaching and academic production.

WGST 4770 American Women Writers

[3 credit hours]

Author/authors vary with each offering. Consult schedule of courses for specific subject. Recommended ENGL 2700, 2800 or 3790.

WGST 4810 Women's Health Care

[3 credit hours]

The course is designed to consider personal health topics of special interest and applicability to women. The focus is upon the role of self-understanding and self-help in promotion of health and well-being.

Term Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall

WGST 4870 Feminisms

[3 credit hours]

This introduction to global feminist thought familiarizes students with feminist terminology and a variety of feminist theoretical frameworks.

Term Offered: Spring, Fall

WGST 4880 Queer Theory WAC

[3 credit hours]

This course explores the theoretical concepts/texts of Queer Theory and its locations in communities and identities, focusing principally on the theories that have emerged since the late 1990s.

Prerequisites: WGST 3010 with a minimum grade of D- or WGST 2010 with a minimum grade of D-

Term Offered: Spring

Multicultural US Diversity

WGST 4890 Research and Methods in Women's and Gender Studies

[3 credit hours]

This course will present an overview of the ways in which women's/gender/feminist studies have informed and complicated traditional theories of research and methodologies. Students will examine and use various research methods and tools to prepare a final research project.

Term Offered: Fall

WGST 4900 Seminar In Women's Studies

[3 credit hours]

Seminar focused on timely topics in Women's Studies chosen by rotating faculty.

Term Offered: Spring, Summer

WGST 4910 Honors Thesis In Women's And Gender Studies

[1-3 credit hours]

Supervised research and writing for honors students only.

Term Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall

WGST 4940 Internship In Women's Studies

[1-3 credit hours]

Practical field experience applying Women's Studies theories, arranged in conjunction with the department of women's and gender studies. Students must have pre-approval based on detailed written proposal.

Term Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall

WGST 4980 Advanced Topics In Women's Studies

[3 credit hours]

A course on a special topic in Women's Studies. Consult schedule of courses for topic to be studied and semester offered. Recommended WGST 3010.

Term Offered: Spring, Fall

WGST 4990 Independent Study In Women's Studies

[1-4 credit hours]

Supervised independent reading and research on selected topics. Before the end of open registration, students must present the supervising instructor a detailed written proposal and get written approval.

Term Offered: Spring, Summer, Fall

Departmental Honors

A student majoring in Women’s and Gender Studies who is seeking departmental honors should make formal application near the end of the junior year. The following requirements must be met in order to earn the departmental honors designation at the time of graduation:

  1. minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3 overall and 3.5 in WGST courses,
  2. Two WGST 3000-4000-level elective courses and
  3. WGST 4910 Thesis for three hours, an honors thesis, or a paper from a 4000-level class submitted for review by the department honors committee.