Catalog

2014-2015

Department/Program:

Gender Studies

Courses

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Majors, Minors & Degrees:

Majors

Gender Studies (B.A., B.S.)

Minors

Gender Studies

The study of women, gender, and feminist scholarship is an interdisciplinary field that draws upon research in the humanities, the social sciences, the natural sciences, the arts, and professional education. Gender Studies courses encourage male, female, and gender-nonconforming students to make strong personal connections between classroom material and their own experience. Through applying feminist theories to their own lives, students learn, interpret, and evaluate various cultural phenomena, using a broad range of criteria, including gender, ethnicity, race, class, age, and sexual orientation.

The Bachelor of Arts designates a broad-based liberal arts education. The Bachelor of Science is advisable for those who wish to signal social science expertise in a related career such as social work or counseling psychology.

Courses

GEND 2100 Coming of Age or Sexualities (3 hours)

ENG 2010 Masterpieces of Literature (3 hours)

An introductory course designed to help students appreciate the literary record of human relationships with nature, the supernatural, and each other. Each course examines a particular question or condition as it is represented in a restricted number of literary works, with core readings from the Bible, Greek or Roman classical literature, Shakespeare, literature by women, and literature by writers of color. Current offerings include the following.
Prerequisite(s): First Year Writing.
Encountering Others- This course looks at texts that represent moments of contact, conflict, or exchange between different cultures, or between a society and those individuals the society has designated as 'different' in some crucial way.
Coming of Age- Becoming Women, Becoming Men This course looks at texts that represent the forces and processes that are part of maturation, especially those related to gender identity. This course focuses on gender issues and includes feminist perspectives. Note: This course also counts for Gender Studies credit.
Families and Relationships- This course will examine how writers from different historical eras and cultural contexts write about family, in every sense of that word.
Writing the Self 'Who am I?'- This is the quintessential question that all human beings ask. This course examines how writers from different historical eras and cultural contexts use various narrative strategies to construct a sense of self. We will also examine numerous theories that seek to explain what constitutes the 'I' that locates the self as a palpable center of self-awareness, as well as how genre influences the accounting of personal history.
Sexualities- This course is designed to help students appreciate the literary record of romantic relationships. Specifically, the course will explore how writers from different historical periods and cultural milieus address the issue of human sexuality. Note: same-sex relationships will be routinely read about and discussed in the class. Note: This course also counts for Gender Studies credit.
Law and Justice- The courtroom is a place where one's telling and interpretation of stories can mean the difference between life and death, so the analysis of literature and the practice of the law are already intertwined. This course explores the connection further by focusing on literary works that deal with the principle of justice and the application of law.
Revolution- This course looks at texts that represent moments of sudden change, upheaval, and transformation, both within societies and within individuals.
Religion and Spirituality- Religion is a virtually universal constant in recorded human history, but with answers of different religions to humankind's big questions have varied enormously. What is the origin and purpose of evil? What is death? What things should be held sacred? What is the nature of the divine? How should we treat other people - and should we distinguish between those who share our beliefs and those who do not? This course will study some of the ways these questions have been answered, from most ancient times to the present.
The Environment- How are nature and the natural world imagined through literary texts? In the western tradition, "nature" is usually considered separate from humanity - a passive landscape designed to be dominated and used by humans for human purposes. What is the origin of this cultural attitude? What alternative views do we find in the history of western literature? What does the literary record of nature look like in some non-western cultural traditions? Is nature best understood as a universal category apart from human culture or is the idea of nature created by human culture? This course will explore such questions by reading texts from different eras and cultural traditions.
War- Virtually every culture has experienced war, and cultures often define and understand themselves through the memories of their wars. Literature about war, from western civilization's founding epic, Homer's Iliad, to blogs maintained by contemporary soldiers, provides us with not only some of our most memorable images of courage, loyalty, and self-sacrifice, but also compelling evidence of war's cruelty, horror, and senselessness; its themes encompass both enormous historical and cultural change and the most intimate, personal suffering.

GEND 2200 Topics in World Literature: Sexualities (4 hours)

Each course in the Topics in World Literature group will study a selection of literary works that engage the chosen topic--texts of different genres, from historical eras, and from different cultural traditions. The selected readings will present both abstract principles involved in the topic and its immediate, lived realities.
Prerequisite(s): Any First Year Writing course.

GEND 2300P Philosophies of Race and Gender (3 hours)

Most Americans have some understanding of how the categories of race and gender influence our personal and social identities. Yet many Americans also assume that race and gender are "natural," i.e., that we are born into a certain race and naturally embody a certain sex. In this course, we will examine these assumptions by reading, discussing, and critically assessing the arguments for and against the "naturalness" of race and gender. We will consider how categories of race and gender position us, historically and philosophically, as a person of a certain "type" from whom certain behaviors are expected. We will look at socio-economic conditions and philosophic positions that support or challenge racism, sexism, classism, segregation, and violence.

GEND 2300R Women and Religion (3 hours)

This course will examine the roles of women in religious traditions. Students will encounter scholarship on gender, religion, and feminist theology in different traditions. The primary focus of this course will be on the religious traditions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, although other traditions and contemporary religious movements may be considered.

GEND 2350 Family Violence Across the Lifespan (3 hours)

This course will expose students to the various types of violence experienced by individuals and families across their lifespan. An introduction to various theories used in working with survivors of abuse will be presented and students will learn about bruises and fractures associated with child abuse. The influence of societal "isms", culture, gender, and sexual orientation related to violence will be incorporated into the material being discussed.
(Normally offered each spring semester.)

GEND 2360 Sociology of Gender (4 hours)

This course uses the sociological perspective to explore sex and gender relations as major features of social life. It considers the social construction of gender (including the creation of masculinities and femininities) and examines the impact of gender ideologies on the social positions of women and men. In particular, it emphasizes the way these social positions (such as gender, race, social class, sexualities, etc.) create and perpetuate the inequalities embedded in its social institutions (like the family, economy/work, religion, media, etc.) The requirements of the 3360 course will be the same as the 2360 course EXCEPT that students in the higher course number will write a comprehensive literature review as training for future social science research projects.
(Normally offered alternate years.)
Cross-listed with SOC 2360 Gender and Society

GEND 2370 History of Women in the United States (4 hours)

An introduction to the experiences of women in the United States from colonization to the present, with an examination of cultural meanings attached to gender; various social inequalities in access to institutions, activities, and resources; and women's status, well being, and power in American society. The course investigates the lives of women from various social, ethnic, and racial groups, analyzing the ways that they affected one another. The course emphasizes sexuality, reproduction, and maternity, and also covers politics, law, work, education, and other issues in women's lives.
Cross-listed with HIST 2370 History of Women in the United States

GEND 2550 Psychology of Women (4 hours)

An investigation of psychological theories and issues relating to the psychology of women from a feminist perspective. Gender bias in traditional psychological theories, research, and practice will be evaluated in relation to women's attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. Students will gain a better understanding of women's psychology across the lifespan and how other interacting constructs such as race, ethnicity, class, sexual orientation, nationality, and disability influence women's experiences. The social and political implications of how we understand women and gender will be explored, and emphasis will be placed on envisioning possibilities for individual (psychological) and social change.

GEND 2650 Psychology of Gender (4 hours)

A course examining the construct of gender. Topics include gender development and socialization, cross-cultural gender differences, institutions affecting gender roles, the social maintenance systems for gender roles, and gender issues in contemporary literature and the arts.
Prerequisite(s): Sophomore standing.
(Normally offered each spring semester.)

GEND 2700 Women and Power (3 hours)

This course examines the participation of women in society and politics, and their ability to influence the policy decisions related to the issues of concern to them. The course will take a cross-national perspective, although primary emphasis will be women in Middle Eastern and South Asian societies.

GEND 2830 Music and Gender (3 hours)

From Hildegard von Bingen to Nicki Minaj, this course examines the ways in which social constructions of gender have shaped the interpretation, reception, and historical narratives of popular, classical, and traditional music styles. Through historiography and musical analysis, we will discuss systems of domination and subordination along with stereotyped and biased assumptions about women and men pertinent to the music of specific cultures and time periods.
Cross-listed with MUSIC 2830 Music and Gender

GEND 2970 Gender Studies Internship (1-8 hours)

A supervised, experiential learning opportunity in which the student works with an agency dealing with gender concerns. Students prepare weekly written reports and a reflective paper at the close of the semester. All students enrolled in the practicum will meet regularly with the faculty coordinator to discuss their internship activities and their relevance to gender studies.
This course does not fulfill a core requirement for the major.
Corequisite(s): GEND 3000 Perspectives in Gender or permission of the program chair

GEND 2999 Experiential Learning (0 hours)

This course number corresponds to the "exploratory" level of experiential learning required in the Archway liberal education curriculum. Experiential learning is a process through which students expand, deepen, integrate, and apply knowledge and skills acquired in the classroom or laboratory. All experiential learning credit assumes the student is intentional about the experience, is adequately prepared for it, is taking initiative, making decisions, and assuming responsibility, and will reflect meaningfully on the learning that takes place. Instructors or sponsors are expected to create experiential learning opportunities that are authentic, and to monitor and assess the activities. The student must complete at least 20 hours of experiential learning.
Prerequisite(s): Instructor Permission.

GEND 3000 Perspectives in Gender (4 hours)

This course provides an overview of key contemporary theories, concepts, issues, and debates in Gender Studies as well as an overview of the historical roots that inform this interdisciplinary area of study. Students will also conceptualize and develop an applied gender-project. While topics may vary by instructor expertise and state of the discipline, currently, focus will be placed upon intersectionality (categories such as gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, citizenship status, social class, caste, ability, and age interlock and work together), transnationalism (no matter one's location or awareness, one is connected to others in different parts of the world) and masculinities (analysis of masculine social formation and feminist masculinities). Students will glean an overview of the field of Gender Studies and its emergence from Women's Studies and advocacy for women's rights. Students will become familiar with key concepts from current gender scholarship. As professors encounter current scholarship they will change the course content to reflect the latest debates in the field. Upon completing the course, students must be able to show that they can conceptualize and complete a substantial project with real-world applications that they can then share with other students.

GEND 3040 Women's Health: Global Perspective (3 hours)

This course introduces women's health with an emphasis on global issues. Women's health will be examined using the influences of social, political, economic, cultural, and geographical factors. Students will examine the basic health needs of all women and compare the availability of and types of services in different parts of the world. A unique component of this course is the opportunity to work with women from another country to learn about other women's health concerns.
Prerequisite(s): GEND 3000 Perspectives in Gender or SOC 1110 Introduction to Sociology or a beginning level anthropology course or permission of the instructor.

GEND 3270 Feminist Theories (3 hours)

An exploration of the varieties of contemporary feminist thought. We will examine the points of convergence among feminist philosophers but also attend seriously to the issues that divide them. Special consideration will be given to race, class, and diverse attitudes toward marriage and reproduction. having established that feminism is not a single, homogeneous system, we will inquire as to whether this constitutes a flaw or a liberating potential.

GEND 3360 Gender and Society (4 hours)

GEND 3400 Communication and Gender (4 hours)

This course offers an exploration of theories of the creation and perpetuation of gender and gender roles through communication. In turn, students will consider the question of the impact of gender on communication. Students will examine gender in a variety of contexts including families, schools, and media.

GEND 3410 Women Writing Across Cultures (4 hours)

Fiction and essays by women from various cultures (including the U.S., Europe, Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean) will be the focus of this course. The multicultural, international reading list will provide students insight into the lives and experiences of women most likely very different from themselves; thus they can appreciate and learn from the differences and make connections across cultures.
Prerequisite(s): First Year Writing and Sophomore standing.
Cross-listed with ENG 3410 Women Writing Across Cultures

GEND 3550 Women of the American West (4 hours)

This course highlights women's experiences in the American West from precontact to present, and explores topics of myth and stereotypes; women's roles in the home, family and community; and racial, class and ethnic differences in women's experiences.
Prerequisite(s): HIST 1010 Topics in United States History to 1877 or HIST 1020 United States Society and Culture Since 1877 or permission of the instructor.

GEND 3730 Gender and the Art of Film (3 hours)

This course will examine representations of masculinity, femininity, and androgyny in primarily U.S. film. Students will learn to recognize and evaluate elements of film art. Using variety of film theories, we will analyze Hollywood and independent movie images of men and women for the messages conveyed about gender roles and expectations.

GEND 3900 Selected Topics (1-5 hours)

A topical course designed to investigate relevant subject matter not included in any standard courses. The title and the content will be determined by current mutual interests of students and faculty. This course may be offered to meet a requirement for a major only by approval of the department chair.

GEND 3950 Independent Study (1-3 hours)

An opportunity for a student to engage in an individually arranged research project supervised by a member of the Gender Studies faculty. Independent Study may not duplicate courses described in the catalog.
Prerequisite(s): Minor in Gender Studies, junior or senior standing, and permission of the Gender Studies instructor.

GEND 3960 Special Projects (1-3 hours)

An opportunity for a student to engage in an individually arranged project supervised by a member of the Gender Studies faculty. Special Projects may not duplicate courses described in the catalog.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.

GEND 4550 Women of the American West (4 hours)

This course highlights women's experiences in the American West from precontact to present, and explores topics of myth and stereotypes; women's roles in the home, family and community; and racial, class and ethnic differences in women's experiences.
Prerequisite(s): HIST 1010 Topics in United States History to 1877 and HIST 1020 United States Society and Culture Since 1877 or permission of the instructor.
Cross-listed with HIST 4550 Women of the American West

GEND 4900 Selected Topics (1-4 hours)

GEND 4960 Special Projects (1-3 hours)

GEND 4970 Gender Studies Internship (1-8 hours)

A supervised, experiential learning opportunity in which the student works with an agency dealing with gender concerns. Students prepare weekly written reports and a reflective paper at the close of the semester. All students enrolled in the practicum will meet regularly with the faculty coordinator to discuss their internship activities and their relevance to gender studies.
Pre or corequisite(s): GEND 3000 Perspectives in Gender.

GEND 4980 Senior Research (2 hours)

This course is designed to guide students in their reading and collecting as they prepare for GEND 4990 Thesis Writing, the course in which they will write their senior thesis. Students will complete several low-stakes writing assignments to help them summarize, reflect on, sort and evaluate the evidence they encounter.
Prerequisite(s): Senior standing and the permission of the instructor.

GEND 4990 Thesis Writing (2 hours)

A student will complete a research project or senior thesis under the direction of at least two Gender Studies faculty members. The student will present an oral defense of the thesis.
Prerequisite(s): Senior standing and permission of the supervising Gender Studies faculty members.

GEND 4999 Experiential Learning (0 hours)

This course number corresponds to the "intensive" level of experiential learning required in the Archway liberal education curriculum. Experiential learning is a process through which students expand, deepen, integrate, and apply knowledge and skills acquired in the classroom or laboratory. All experiential credit assumes the student is intentional about the experience, is adequately prepared for it, is taking initiative, making decisions, and assuming responsibility, and will reflect meaningfully on the learning that takes place. Instructors or sponsors are expected to create experiential learning opportunities that are authentic, and to monitor and assess the activities. The student must complete at least 40 hours of experiential learning.
Prerequisite(s): Instructor Permission.

Course Catalogs

Department/Program:

Gender Studies

Majors, Minors & Degrees:

Majors

Minors

Courses