Women's Studies

WS 401 - Introduction to Women's Studies
Credits: 4.00
Interdisciplinary survey of the major areas of women's studies: women's history, cross-cultural perspectives, women in literature, psychology of women, etc. Basic principles and concepts fundamental to more advanced women's studies research. Topics vary. Required for major and minor. Writing intensive.

WS 401H - Honors/Introduction to Women's Studies
Credits: 4.00
See description for WS 401. Writing intensive.

WS 444 - Constructing Gender Identity and Expression in Everyday Life
Credits: 4.00
Using a social construction approach, students explore the multiple ways in which gender is constructed within the lives of children, women, men, and transgender people. Specific attention focuses on the social institutions and systems that encourage both the construction and reproduction of gender identity and expression across the lifespan. Students actively participate in identifying historical and current day factors and institutions that shape gender. Students explore the roles of families, schools, educational settings, media, the workplace, recreation activities, the medical system, religion, laws, and the laws and the legal system in the construction of gender.

WS 595 - Special Topics
Credits: 1.00 to 4.00
In-depth study of topics not covered in regular course offerings. Prereq: permission; WS 401.

WS 595W - Special Topics
Credits: 1.00 to 4.00
See description for WS 595. Writing intensive.

WS 632 - Feminist Thought
Credits: 4.00
Theories of women's oppression and emancipation explored from various historical, political, cultural, and social perspectives. A major goal of the course is to increase awareness of historical and contemporary feminist approaches to understanding women's experiences, representations, and relative positions in societies. The course also considers the interrelation of theory and practice and the impact of past feminist theories on feminist movements. Prereq: WS 401. Writing intensive.

WS 795 - Independent Study
Credits: 1.00 to 4.00
For advanced students who have the preparation to carry out an individual project of supervised research on a specific women's studies topic. Preparation should include WS 401 or equivalent, and/or other women's studies courses. Barring duplication of topic, may be repeated for a maximum of 8 credits. Prereq: permission of instructor and women's studies coordinator.

WS 796 - Advanced Topics
Credits: 1.00 to 4.00
Advanced or specialized topics not normally covered in regular course offerings. May be repeated, but not in duplicate areas. Prereq: permission.

WS 797 - Internship
Credits: 4.00
Students gain practical experience in a woman-focused agency or organization. Plan of study and requirements are developed together with a faculty adviser and the student's workplace adviser. Bi-monthly seminar with all internship students and instructor. Prereq: permission. WS majors or minors. May be repeated.

WS 798 - Colloquium
Credits: 4.00
Intensive study of specialized topic for advanced students. Topics vary with instructor. Prereq: permission. Required for WS minors. Barring duplication of topic, may be repeated for credit. Writing intensive.

WS 799 - Honors Thesis
Credits: 4.00 to 8.00
With a faculty sponsor, students enrolled in the honors-in-major program develop an independent, investigative project in women's studies. Written thesis. Prereq: majors only; one other WS 700-level course prior to or concurrently with WS 799; permission.