Women's and Gender Studies Major (B.A.) - Undergraduate - 2009 University Catalog

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The Women's and Gender Studies major is an interdisciplinary academic program that provides students with a knowledge of the history and evolution of feminist theory and practice. It imparts to students an understanding of the feminist debates that take place in a multitude of disciplines and the role that these play in broadening and restructuring other disciplines. The program situates Women's and Gender Studies within a cross-cultural context and enhances students' awareness of issues affecting women in different cultural, religious, ethnic, economic, and class settings. Women's and Gender Studies  empowers students to participate in transforming repressive cultural and political practices and to use their knowledge to create a personal and communal agenda aimed at social change.

The Women's and Gender Studies major prepares students for postgraduate education in Women's and Gender Studies and for careers in fields related to social services, education, psychology, communications and the media, the arts, law, health professions and community action work.

WOMEN'S AND GENDER STUDIES MAJOR

Complete 33 semester hours including the following 2 requirement(s):

  1. Complete the following 5 courses:

    WMGS 102 Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies 3
    WMGS 201 Inventing Feminism 3
    WMGS 301 Feminist Theory 3
    WMGS 303 Global Feminism 3
    WMGS 402 Seminar in Women's and Gender Studies 3

  2. Complete 18 semester hours from the following. 15 hours must be at 200 level or above. No more than 3 courses per department:

    1.  

      1. $H -15 semester hours may be taken from:. If focus is appropriate, ARHS455, ECON250, MUHS404 & SOCI411 may be used.

        AFAM 207 The Black Woman: An Introductory Course 3
        ANTH 380 Anthropology of Women 3
        ARHS 108 Women in Art 3
        COUN 481 The Legal Rights of Women 3
        EDFD 264 Gender Issues in Education 3
        FCST 205 Women in Contemporary Society 3
        FCST 345 Gender in a Changing World 3
        GNHU 283 Women, Gender, and Sexuality in the Ancient World 3
        GNHU 383 Women in Antiquity 3
        GRIN 297 Women in Russian Literature 3
        HLTH 295 Sexuality Education in the Schools 3
        HLTH 375 Women's Health 3
        JUST 320 Women and Prison 3
        LALS 205 Image and Identity: Representation of Latin American Women in Film and Fiction 3
        LNGN 255 Language and Gender 3
        PSYC 265 Psychology of Women 3
        SOCI 426 Sociology of Sexuality 3
        SOCI 430 Sociology of Gender 3

      2. $H - 3 semester hours from the following may be taken:

        FREN 283 Introduction to Women Authors of French-Speaking Africa 3
        FRIN 283 Introduction to Women Authors of French-Speaking Africa 3

    2. $H - 9 semester hours may be taken from: (If focus is appropriate, ENGL 250, ENGL493, ENGL494, ENLT250, & ENLT492 may be used)

      ENGL 294 Women Poets 3
      ENGL 301 The Novels of Toni Morrison 3
      ENLT 230 Images of Muslim Women in Twentieth Century Literature and Culture 3
      ENLT 235 Contemporary Chinese Women's Literature 3
      ENLT 372 Women Prose Writers 3

    3. $H - 9 semester hours may be taken from the following: (HIST 314 is cross-listed with WMST 314)

      HIST 215 Women in American History 3
      HIST 309 Feminist Ideas in Western Thought 3
      HIST 314 Women and Migration 3
      HIST 334 Women in the Muslim World: A History of Representations 3

    4. $H-9 semester hours may be taken from the following:. If focus relevant, POLS 416 may be used. (POLS 436 cross listed w/WMST 436).

      LAWS 391 Women and the Law 3
      POLS 214 Women in Politics 3
      POLS 436 Political Science Washington, D.C., Internship 1-7

    5. $H - 9 semester hours may be taken from the following:

      RELG 104 Feminist Theology and Spirituality 3
      RELG 207 Religious Texts in America: Women 3
      RELG 230 Wicca and Neopaganism 3
      RELG 267 Women and Religion 3

    6. $H - 3 semester hours may be taken from the following:.

      JURI 476 Feminist Jurisprudence. Starting Spring 2009: Feminist Legal Theory 3
      PHIL 476 Feminist Legal Theory 3
      WMGS 476 Feminist Legal Theory 3

Course Descriptions:

AFAM207: The Black Woman: An Introductory Course

This interdisciplinary course examines the lived experiences and contributions of women of African descent through analysis of social context and a variety of theoretical perspectives. The myths and realities of Black women's experiences are explored chronologically and through literary contributions, social and political thought, and creative expression such as music and other media. 3 sh.

ANTH380: Anthropology of Women

The anthropological literature on women and women's issues in our own and pre-industrial, non-capatalist societies. The connections between environment, technology and gender roles are investigated, and the kind of power women have in different societies over their own lives and those of others is assessed. The place of women in each society's symbolic system is also analyzed. Meets the World Languages and Cultures Requirement - World Cultures. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: ANTH 201 or ANTH 202 or ANTH 210 or ANTH 230 or ANTH 240 or ANTH 270 or departmental approval.

ARHS108: Women in Art

The role and status of women in art from the Old Stone Age through the present; the special roles of women in the past in society, the role of women artists in Western culture from the Renaissance to the present; depictions of women in different iconographic categories; women as artists today. Meets the 1983 General Education Requirement (GER) - Fine and Performing Arts: Art Appreciation. 3 sh.

COUN481: The Legal Rights of Women

This course will include some historical background for clearer understanding of what the changes in laws mean for women and men. Discussion and study of the effect of affirmative action, civil rights legislation and titles VI and IX will be included. Legal rights in the areas of education, employment, finances and credit, property ownership, marriage and divorce, health care, pensions and criminal law will be covered. Meets the World Languages and Cultures Requirement - World Languages. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: Departmental approval.

EDFD264: Gender Issues in Education

Examines the nature of gender, gender identity, gender roles and gender discrimination, and the influence of these on classrooms, schools and educational policy. Meets Gen Ed 2002 - Social Science, Social Science. Meets the 1983 General Education Requirement (GER) - Contemporary Issues. Meets the World Languages and Cultures Requirement - World Cultures. 3 sh.

ENGL294: Women Poets

Selected poets from Sappho through Emily Dickinson to Sylvia Plath examined in relation to contemporary women poets. Meets the World Languages and Cultures Requirement - World Cultures. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: ENWR 106 or HONP 101.

ENGL301: The Novels of Toni Morrison

This course focuses on the fiction of Toni Morrison. Readings will include her published novels (from 1970 to the present), as well as selections from her critical writings. Such matters as the nature of her prose style, developments of her literary reputation, and place within the literary canon will be studied. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: ENWR 106 or HONP 101.

ENLT230: Images of Muslim Women in Twentieth Century Literature and Culture

Through an exploration of writings by and about Muslim women in various parts of the world, students will be encouraged to develop an appreciation of the variety of aesthetic forms and narrative structures embodied therein. Representation in other cultural forms such as film will also be looked at to challenge monolithic assumptions. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: ENWR 106 or HONP 101.

ENLT235: Contemporary Chinese Women's Literature

Students of contemporary Chinese women's literature will analyze specific narrative techniques used in the representation of women in light of the literary inscriptions of place, family, history, gender, sexual politics, nationalism, and transnationalism. Students will examine how these narratives raise questions about Chinese origins, memories, desires and subjectivities in the age of globalization. Our primary focus will be on fiction written by women from mainland China, Taiwan, and Chinese diaspora. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: ENWR 106 or HONP 101.

ENLT372: Women Prose Writers

Readings in the international fiction and non-fiction of women writers. The focus will be on such themes as the nature of the family, changing relationships between women and men, evolving concepts of the "feminine," the impact of colonialism on gender related issues (i.e. work and women's identity) and interrelationships between religion and women's lives. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: ENWR 106 or HONP 101.

FCST205: Women in Contemporary Society

Those historical developments and social forces which have shaped the status of women in America. Discussion of current concerns and role options available to today's women. Meets the 1983 General Education Requirement (GER) - Contemporary Issues. Meets the World Languages and Cultures Requirement - World Cultures. 3 sh.

FCST345: Gender in a Changing World

Gender issues that exist in our society and cross-culturally. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: FCST 200.

FREN283: Introduction to Women Authors of French-Speaking Africa

This course examines the representations of women in post-colonial literature by French-speaking women authors from North and Sub-Saharan Africa (readings in English translation). Students will explore major works of fiction by women authors as they relate to gender and cultural identity. Readings include novels that deal with contemporary socio-cultural issues. Meets the Gen Ed 2002 - Social Science, Non-Western Cultural Perspectives. Meets the World Languages and Cultures Requirement - World Cultures. 3 sh.

FRIN283: Introduction to Women Authors of French-Speaking Africa

This course examines the representations of women in post-colonial literature by French-speaking women authors from North and Sub-Saharan Africa (readings in English translation). Students will explore major works of fiction by women authors as they relate to gender and cultural identity. Readings include novels that deal with contemporary socio-cultural issues. Meets the Gen Ed 2002 - Social Science, Non-Western Cultural Perspectives. Meets the World Languages and Cultures Requirement - World Cultures. 3 sh.

GNHU283: Women, Gender, and Sexuality in the Ancient World

This course uses women, gender, and sexuality to model a broad, cross-disciplinary, and issue-oriented approach to ancient societies. Students will examine cultural and historical objects, such as historical and philosophical works, inscriptions, and graffiti. They will view monuments and artifacts. They will learn how to approach complex cultural objects and understand how social constructions of gender affected and reflected the lives of women and men in ancient Greece, Rome, and the Near East. 3 sh.

GNHU383: Women in Antiquity

Women in the ancient world and their contributions to history, literature, philosophy and the arts. Emphasis on Greco-Roman civilization, with comparative study of other ancient cultures. Meets the World Languages and Cultures Requirement - World Cultures. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: ENWR 106 and GNHU 201 or HONP 101 or departmental approval.

GRIN297: Women in Russian Literature

This course will examine the roles, status, identity and problems of female characters in representative works of Russian literature from the medieval period to the present. It will trace the development of mythic images about "Mother Russia," study the cultural messages of classic nineteenth century Russian heroines and explore adaptations in the traditional appreciation of Russian women in the early Soviet period as well as contemporary works. Meets the World Languages and Cultures Requirement - World Cultures. 3 sh.

HIST215: Women in American History

The changing role and status of women in American society from colonial times to the present. Meets the World Languages and Cultures Requirement - World Cultures. 3 sh.

HIST309: Feminist Ideas in Western Thought

History of feminist ideas and theories about women and womanhood. Students examine important theoretical literature in Europe and America from 18th century to present. Original texts of Wollstonecroft, Fuller, Mill, and Freud will be considered against their socio-historic milieu. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: HIST 100; AND HIST 117 OR HIST 118.

HIST314: Women and Migration

This course focuses on female migrants from the late nineteenth century to the present. Using an interdisciplinary approach with an emphasis on historical studies, it considers issues of work, family, sexuality, and identity formation for migrant women past and present. Questions to explore include: what distinguishes the experiences of migration for women; what are the continuities and differences for women across time, ethnicity, and geography; how do historians, sociologists, anthropologists, and others, as well as the migrants themselves, understand female migration; what do women gain and lose through migration; and why a gendered approach to migration studies is crucial. Cross listed with Women's and Gender Studies, WMGS 314. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: WMGS 102; or HIST 100 and HIST 117 or 118.

HIST334: Women in the Muslim World: A History of Representations

A survey of writings by and about Muslim women examined historiographically. We examine conventional wisdom about Muslim women through the ages, and how this "wisdom" was constructed: Who wrote about Muslim women? When? How? What purposes have these writings served at different times and places since the inception of Islam and during the course of its 1,500 year history. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: Passing grade in the following: HIST 100; HIST 117 or 118; HIST 103 or 105 or 106; 108 or 109 or 114 or 116 or 128 or 129 or 131 or 132 or 133.

HLTH295: Sexuality Education in the Schools

Focus on sexuality content and teaching methodology for sex education K-12 in schools. Based on NJ Content Standards for Sexuality Education. 3 sh.

HLTH375: Women's Health

This course offers perspectives on women's health and health care, focusing predominately on the United States but with some attention to international and global issues. Students will receive an overview of the health status and major health concerns of women. Acute and chronic problems will be addressed across the lifespan. This course includes fieldwork experience. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: Health Education major or WMGS 102 or departmental approval.

JURI476: Feminist Jurisprudence. Starting Spring 2009: Feminist Legal Theory

An examination of the philosophical basis of legal doctrines as they apply to women. The course will explore the political, economic, and social status of the sexes. Women's rights and women's legal status in politics, employment, education, and the family will be explored. Cross listed with PHIL 476 and WMGS 476. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PHIL 210 or WMGS 301 or one JURI or LAWS course at 200 level or above or departmental approval.

JUST320: Women and Prison

This course will take a comprehensive view of the issues that bring women in contact with the criminal justice system and correctional institutions. Students will discuss the historical legacy of female incarceration in Europe and America. They will discover that the demographic intersections of gender, race, class and gender orientation play a major role in sentencing outcomes. Gender responsive programming as well as role model programs in the US, Canada and Europe will be discussed. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: JUST 101 or JUST 200 or JUST 201 or JUST 232 or departmental approval.

LALS205: Image and Identity: Representation of Latin American Women in Film and Fiction

An analysis of representations of women in film and fiction with a special focus on the process of identity construction. Representations of women from pre-Columbian times to the present will be studied in relation to their use in the perpetuation of ideologies. Intended as an overview of the social history of women in Latin America. Meets Gen Ed 2002 - Social Science, Non-Western Cultural Perspectives. Meets the 1983 General Education Requirement (GER) - Social Science, Non-Western Cultural Perspectives. Meets the World Languages and Cultures Requirement - World Cultures. 3 sh.

LAWS391: Women and the Law

Introduction to and evaluation of the changing patterns of gender-based laws in the United States in terms of the preferences they reflect and the rationales used to justify them. Emphasis on issues which impact upon women's rights, relevant case law which impacts upon the roles and rights of women, and legislation. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: JURI 210 or LAWS 200 or WMGS 102.

LNGN255: Language and Gender

A sociolinguistic study of the interaction of language with sex and gender. Course includes a survey of the literature on language and gender plus practical experience in collecting and analyzing linguistic data. Meets Gen Ed 2002 - Social Science, Social Science. Meets the General Education Requirement (GER) - Social Science, Topic Course. Meets the World Languages and Cultures Requirement - World Cultures. 3 sh.

PHIL476: Feminist Legal Theory

An examination of the philosophical basis of legal doctrines as they apply to women. The course will explore the political, economic, and social status of the sexes. Women's rights and women's legal status in politics, employment, education, and the family will be explored. Cross listed with JURI 476 and WMGS 476. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PHIL 210 or WMGS 301 or one JURI or LAWS course at 200 level or above or departmental approval.

POLS214: Women in Politics

The role of women in the functioning of the American political system. Meets the World Languages and Cultures - World Cultures. 3 sh.

POLS436: Political Science Washington, D.C., Internship

In this course students intern in Washington, D.C., at governmental offices, interest groups, party and electoral organizations, law and lobbying firms or other political organizations. Students' academic learning is assessed by faculty, and their work performance is evaluated by their placement supervisor. Students may receive up to 7.0 credits in Political Science and up to 8.0 credits in a corequisite Cooperative Education course. Cross listed with Women's and Gender Studies, WMGS 436. 1 - 7 sh.

Prerequisites: Departmental approval.

PSYC265: Psychology of Women

The course will investigate contemporary issues in the psychology of women (an opportunity for original research will be provided). Theoretical positions and recent research in the area will be examined. Meets the 1983 General Education Requirement (GER) - Social Science, Topic Course. Meets the World Languages and Cultures Requirement - World Cultures. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PSYC 101.

RELG104: Feminist Theology and Spirituality

This course will examine primary religious documents, their traditional interpretations, and recent feminist interpretations of these documents. It will examine the feminist claim that the traditional mind/body dualism of Western thought serves as a basis for the subjugation of women in traditional patriarchal religions. 3 sh.

RELG207: Religious Texts in America: Women

Course will examine original texts by women written during the religious growth and development of such movements as Evangelicalism, Mormonism, the Westward missionary expansion, African-American slave narratives, hymns, sermons, and exhortations. Emphasis will be on the ways religion served as an acceptable locus of expression for women. 3 sh.

RELG230: Wicca and Neopaganism

An examination of the many new religions in Europe and the United states that focus on nature worship and the practice of magic and frequently claim to be recreating ancient, pre-Christian religions. This course will introduce students to the variety of religions co-existing under the Wicca and Neopaganism labels, examine their shared beliefs and practices, and debate the many controversies that arise around them. 3 sh.

RELG267: Women and Religion

Focuses on women's own experience in religions and the various perspectives of women held by both Eastern and Western religious traditions. The course deals with questions such as the nature of women, patriarchy and religion, and roles of women in religions. Meets the University Writing Requirement for RELS majors. Meets the World Languages and Cultures Requirement - World Cultures. 3 sh.

SOCI426: Sociology of Sexuality

The course examines theoretical and empirical work in the sociology of sexuality. It seeks to understand the social foundations of sexual behavior and sexual identity. It explores the relationship between sexuality and politics, focusing on current as well as historical conflicts over sexual behavior and ideologies. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: SOCI 301 or SOCI 304 or SOCI 309 or SOCI 311 or SOCI 312 or departmental approval.

SOCI430: Sociology of Gender

The social determinants of differences between women and men and the effect of sex role differentiation in the social institutions of marriage and family, the economy and work situation, formal education, health, mass media, and religion; special emphasis is placed on the impact of social change on sex roles in contemporary society. Meets the World Languages and Cultures Requirement - World Cultures. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: SOCI 301 or SOCI 304 or SOCI 309 or SOCI 311 or SOCI 312 or departmental approval.

WMGS102: Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies

This course introduces the student to the broad and interdisciplinary field known as Women's and Gender Studies. It is designed to make students aware of the new discoveries in feminist and gender studies research and to focus on many aspects of the female experience and the social construction of gendered identities. The course is designed to help students understand different theories and methodologies in diverse disciplines and to treat areas such as literature, history, psychology and the arts through an issue-oriented approach. Meets Gen Ed 2002 - Social Science, Social Science. Meets the 1983 General Education Requirement (GER) - Contemporary Issues. Meets the Multicultural Awareness Requirement (MAR). 3 sh.

WMGS201: Inventing Feminism

How did feminism begin in Europe and America? This course studies the birth of feminism as an international political movement and explores its growth in response to Western social developments from 1750 to the mid-twentieth century. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: WMGS 102.

WMGS301: Feminist Theory

This course examines a wide variety of feminist theories which illustrate the many ways in which issues of gender can be interpreted. Recognizing that gendered identities are molded by such factors as class, race, sexual orientation and national identity, this course explores the issues of difference among women and the role of theory in conceptualizing such differences. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: WMGS 102.

WMGS303: Global Feminism

This course will interrogate the concept and practice of feminism from various locations outside of the U.S. Students will examine the political, cultural and socio-economic structures that promote or inhibit activism on women's lives and issues. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: WMGS 102.

WMGS402: Seminar in Women's and Gender Studies

Each participant completes an individual project that is either (a) research on an approved topic or (b) description and analysis of a long-term field experience. With faculty facilitator, students discuss research strategies, issues, and work in progress. Meets the University Writing Requirement for WMGS majors. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: WMGS 102, WMGS 201, WMGS 301 and 6 additional hours in the major.

WMGS476: Feminist Legal Theory

An examination of the philosophical basis of legal doctrines as they apply to women. The course will explore the political, economic, and social status of the sexes. Women's rights and women's legal status in politics, employment, education, and the family will be explored. Cross listed with JURI 476 and PHIL 476. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: PHIL 210 or WMGS 301 or one JURI or LAWS course at 200 level or above or departmental approval.

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