Women's Studies Courses 
 

FALL SEMESTER 2008

DESCRIPTION OF

WOMEN'S STUDIES CORE COURSES

WS SS/DV 2050. INTRODUCTION TO WOMEN'S STUDIES (3)

An introduction to the discipline of women's studies, using multicultural materials and perspectives. The course considers scholarship on/by women. Lectures, films, discussions, and critical writing exercises help students explore women's experiences and the perspectives, theories, and critiques which derive from taking women into account (Autumn Semester)

WS DV 3050. FEMINIST THEORIES (3)

A consideration of the variety of feminist theories - proposing explanations for gender hierarchies. The focus of course materials is on theories developed in and about Western cultures. Theories will be critiqued for their usefulness in explaining the sameness and differences distinguishing women from men and individual women from each other. (Spring Semester)

WS 4050. WOMEN'S STUDIES RESEARCH METHODOLOGIES (2)

An introduction to the various approaches used in women's studies research. Although students will not be conducting a research project, they will consider the assumptions which underlie research approaches. These assumptions may limit our knowledge about women as research subjects and their interactions with the researchers themselves. (Autumn Semester)

WS 4060. RESEARCH PROJECT (2)*

Directed research project including literature survey and completion of study in area of student's choosing, guided by faculty mentor(s) from Women's Studies program (and, where appropriate, student's major department).   Prerequisite:  WS 4050 (or equivalent coursework) and permission of instructor.

WS 4860.  INTERNSHIP IN WOMEN'S STUDIES (1-2)*

Opportunity for service learning with campus/community organizations involved with women's issues, applying principles learned in women's studies coursework to bring about beneficial social change.  Prerequisite:  completion of WS 4050 (or equivalent coursework) and permission of instructor.  This course may be repeated once for credit toward the minor.  When taken to fulfill a program requirement, students must register for 2 credit hours.

WS 4990. SENIOR SEMINAR (2)

Capstone course including discussion and synthesis of major issues in women's studies.  Students will discuss specific projects (completed or in progress) related to their career goals; these projects may have an academic or service orientation.  Prerequisite:  completion of the women's studies core (or equivalent) and permission of the instructor.

*WS 4060 (2) and WS 4860 (1-2) represent alternate tracks for students with interest in academic careers or community work, respectively.   Either one may be taken as an elective by students choosing the alternate course as a requirement.

ELECTIVES IN WOMEN'S STUDIES

WS 4830. DIRECTED READINGS (1-3)

Directed individual readings in the general area of women's studies.  Specific topic selected in consultation with instructor; amount of material to be read determined at discretion of instructor, based on level of topic and degree of difficulty of reading and consistent with any existing university and departmental guidelines.  Prerequisite:  WS 2050 (or equivalent coursework) and permission of the instructor.

WS 2900/4900.  TOPICS IN WOMEN'S STUDIES (1-3)

Varied topics as described in the semester schedule.   Topics will be drawn from issues related to women's studies.  This course may be taken more than once with different course content.