Women's and Gender Studies

This interdisciplinary course is the foundation of Women’s and Gender Studies. It examines the relationships of women and gender worldwide to institutions and developments in the social; cultural; political; and economic spheres. Topics may include: the origins and development of modern feminism; gender and sexuality; progress and challenges for women and girls worldwide; reproductive justice and healthcare; women and work; sexual harassment and sexual assault; masculinities; gender in popular culture and the arts; the intersections of gender; class; race; and age; women and religion; women and leadership; and women and athletics.

Topics vary in content from term to term.

In this course; members of the Women's Leadership Academy explore leadership theory and issues of gender and leadership. We examine questions such as: what qualities make an effective leader; why are so few women in leadership roles in certain professions; and what might feminist theory or chaos theory have to do with leadership? We approach these questions from both a personal and academic perspective. Participants assess their own leadership style and develop a personal philosophy of leadership. Class assignments include team-building activities and attendance at skill-building workshops. Prerequisite: Membership in the Women's Leadership Academy and instructor's permission.

This course engages with works by contemporary queer authors; film makers; artists; and singers from France and Francophone countries (Algeria; Morocco; Ivory Coast; etc.). We will identify the concerns of this generation and discuss their place and visibility in society. Readings; films; and class discussions will provide students with the concepts and terminology to understand; discuss and analyze the experiences of queer individuals today. Please note: the course touches on topics of a potentially sensitive nature and includes some sexually explicit materials. Course is in English.

This course introduces students to Latin American film from the 1940’s to the present. Students analyze filmic representations of gender; race; sexuality; and socio-economic class in historical context; exploring relationships among art; politics and culture. Students develop an understanding of film-making practices and acquire and apply critical skills and theoretical approaches to thinking; speaking; and writing about films.

Reorientation is a process of changing directions; figuring out; again; where you are in relationship to your environment. This discussion-based course explores music and sound through such relational thinking; foregrounding the multitude of ways of being-in-the-world. We will explore musical works; histories; composers; performers; and sound-experiences; through concepts drawn from feminism; gender studies; and queer theory. Through critical readings and listening; as well as sharing our own experiences; we seek to question normative narratives around music and sound.

A course that examines issues of language; gender; and culture portrayed through the lens of the woman writer. Texts may include novels; stories; autobiographies; essays; letters; and poetry.

This course explores the rich diversity of American literature; raising questions like What does it mean to be or become American? What is gained; what is lost; what can be protected or preserved? What is the meaning of the past; of roots; of traditions? Students examine how this body of literature reimagines the dominant American culture and reflect on their own multicultural competence. (

Topics vary in content from term to term.

In this course we explore gender equality issues in leadership. Students examine the challenges/opportunities for women at various phases of careers/levels. This includes the socio-cultural; psychological; organizational; political; and economical issues facing women in business today with reflection on students' experiences.

This course provides students with an opportunity to learn about effective parenting through reading of literature and group discussion. The course explores a wide variety of issues; concerns; and problems that parents often face as well as the joy and gratification that effective parenting brings.

Students will work together to produce the annual newsletter of the Women’s and Gender Studies program. Along the way; we will analyze media representation of feminist issues; brainstorm topics; conduct research; and write feature articles; formulate questions; conduct interviews; and write profiles; workshop; copyedit; and proofread; and reflect on what it means to be part of the WGST community.

What is queer history? Why write it? Who should be included? This course addresses the possible content and theoretical issues in the study of lesbian; gay; bisexual; and trans people in America since the seventeenth century. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or permission of instructor.

In this course we examine the concepts of sex and gender as they are defined in sociological literature; focusing on how social contexts (i.e.; education; employment; family; sexuality and reproduction; etc.) construct gender which; in turn; shapes future opportunities for individuals in society.

An investigation of the relationship between the family and other social institutions; particularly in regard to the family functions of population maintenance; socialization and social placement.

Explores the social construction of health; illness; and disability while centering individual lived experiences. Critically analyzes medicine (as social institution); U.S. healthcare system; and social causes and consequences of health. Heavy focus on access and equity issues.

In this course we discuss sexual attitudes and behavior; gender roles; love and intimacy; contraception and abortion; pregnancy and childbirth; marriage and family life; variations in sexualities; STDs; and the many psychological and cultural factors that affect human sexual behavior.

Topics vary in content from term to term.

This course examines the psychological; biological; social; and life-span development differences and similarities of the genders. Topics include cognitive abilities and achievement; personality characteristics; work issues; violence prevention; love relationships and sexualities; reproductive concerns; and physical and mental health issues. Prerequisite: PSYC 101.

This course examines 20th and 21st century art and media that engage with feminist and gender issues in a global context. The first few weeks are spent reviewing a concise history of first- and second-wave feminist thought; particularly its relation to art and visual culture. Thereafter; selected contemporary art from all regions of the globe are covered.

Topics vary in content from term to term.

Academic inquiry into an area not covered in any established course; and carried on outside the usual instructor/ classroom setting. Approved Plan of Study required. The end of this course of study must include a public presentation; such as an oral thesis defense; a Women's and Gender Studies Roundtable; the Undergraduate Research Forum or an art exhibition/performance.

The practicum is a semester-long experience in active; authentic leadership around a service project conducted by members of the Women's Leadership Academy. This course is taken twice for credit.