Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (formerly “Women’s Studies”)

Program Director. Jackie Krasas, Ph.D.

Mail to: jkr205@lehigh.edu; 610-758-5119

The Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program has several major goals: to expand students’ understanding of women’s present status and rich history; to stimulate a critical examination of sex/gender and sexuality systems with regard to social institutions and individual lives; to develop in students an integrative analysis in which gender is multifaceted, diverse, and embedded in a matrix of power relations including (but not limited to) race, class, sexuality, and nationality. Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies draws on multi- and interdisciplinary perspectives including: history, literatures, cultural studies, the arts, the social sciences, and science. In the best tradition of a liberal arts education, Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies encourages women and men to think critically and constructively, to redesign knowledge, and to gain a better understanding of themselves and their world. Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies offers an undergraduate minor, and undergraduate major, and a graduate certificate.

Professors. Marie-Helene Chabut, Ph.D. (U. of C., San Diego), Modern Language and Literature; Constance A. Cook, Ph.D., (U.C., Berkeley) Modern Languages and Literature; Robin S. Dillon, Ph.D. (U. of Pittsburgh), Philosophy; Elizabeth N. Fifer, Ph.D. (U. of Michigan), English; Lucy C. Gans, M.F.A. (Pratt Institute), Art and Architecture; Diane T. Hyland, Ph.D. (Syracuse U.), Psychology; Judith N. Lasker, Ph.D. (Harvard U.), Sociology and Anthropology; Ageliki Nicolopoulou, PhD. (U.C., Berkeley), Psychology; Laura Katz Olson, Ph.D. (U. of Colorado), Political Science; Jill E. Schneider, Ph.D. (Wesleyan U.), Biological Sciences; Lloyd H. Steffen, Ph.D. (Brown U.), University Chaplain and Professor of Religion Studies; Nicola B. Tannenbaum, Ph.D. (U. of Iowa), Sociology and Anthropology; Lenore E. Chava Weissler, Ph.D. (U. of Pennsylvania), Philip and Muriel Berman Chair of Jewish Civilization and Professor of Religion Studies.

Associate Professors. Gail A. Cooper, Ph.D. (U.C., Santa Barbara), History; Erica Hoelscher, M.F.A (Northwestern U.) Theatre; Dawn Keetley, Ph.D., (U. of Wisconsin, Madison), English, Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, and American Studies; Jackie Krasas, Ph.D. (U. of Southern California), Sociology and Anthropology, Director of Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies; Monica Najar, Ph.D., (U. of Wisconsin), History; John Pettegrew, Ph.D. (U. of Wisconsin, Madison), History; Miren Edurne Portela, Ph.D. (U. of N.C., Chapel Hill), Modern Language and Literature; Vera S. Stegmann, Ph.D. (Indiana U.), Modern Language and Literature.

Assistant Professors. Nadini Deo, Ph.D. (Yale U.), Political Science; Suzanne Edwards, Ph.D. (U. of Chicago), English; Mary Foltz, Ph.D. (U. of Buffalo, SUNY), English; Jenna Lay, Ph.D. (Stanford U.), English; Michelle LeMaster, Ph.D. (The Johns Hopkins U.), History; Tanya Saunders, Ph.D. (U. of Michigan), Sociology and Anthropology; Yuping Zhang, Ph.D. (U. of Penn), Sociology and Anthropology.

Undergraduate Major in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

The Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies BA will provide students an in depth education in an interdisciplinary field of academic inquiry that critically examines the diverse realities of women's lives and the ways in which gender and power differentials shape human lives and human societies. WGSS pursues a fundamental critique of knowledge by challenging the basic assumptions, methods of inquiry, theoretical frameworks, and knowledge claims of traditional fields of inquiry that have thought it unimportant to study women, gender, or sexuality. WGSS seeks to create new paradigms of knowledge and inquiry, to develop more truthful and comprehensive understandings of humans and our world, and to explore nonsexist alternatives for more richly human lives and more fully human social orders.

The WGSS major requires 38-40 credits of coursework and is designed to complement other areas of study within CAS in order to facilitate double-majors for our students. WGSS majors can stand alone; however, many students find the major an invaluable asset as part of a double major. The major will have a core curriculum, a concentration (social sciences or humanities), electives, and a senior experience.

Major Core Courses (16 credits)
Required Core Courses (12 credits)
WGSS 001 Women & Men in Society (4) (SS)
WGSS 124 (HIST 124) Women in America (4) (SS)
WGSS 350 Seminar in Feminist Theory (4) (SS)
Global/Diversity (4 credits) (Please choose one of the following; cannot be double-counted in categories)
WGSS 42 (SOAN 42) Sexual Minorities (4) (SS)
WGSS 73 (ASIA 73/GCP73/MLL 73) Film, Fiction, and Gender in Modern China (4) (HU)
WGSS 110 ( GCP 110/SSP 110) Women's Work in Global Perspectives (4) (SS)
WGSS 123 (ANTH 123) Anthropology of Gender (4) (SS)
WGSS 128 (SSP 128) Race, Gender, and Work (4) (SS)
WGSS 138 (REL 138) Women in Jewish History (4) (HU)
WGSS 145 (AAS 145) African American Women Writers (4) (HU)
WGSS 310 (AAS 310/SSP 310) Gender, Race, and Sexuality: The Social Construction of Differences (4) (SS)
WGSS 326 (SPAN 326/LAS 326) Traditions and Resistance: Women Writers of Latin America (4) (HU)
WGSS 327 (FREN 327) Women Writing in French (4) (HU)
WGSS 365 (SSP 365) Inequalities at Work (4) (SS)
Major Concentration students must concentrate in
Social Science or Humanities (8 credits)
Required Social Science Courses choose any 2 from the social science list for a total of 8 credits; OR Required Humanities Courses choose any 2 from the humanities list for a total of 8 credits.
Major Non-concentration either from social science if humanities concentration OR humanities if social sciences concentration, 4 credits total.
Major Electives. Can be any combination of social science and humanities for 8 credits total.
Major Senior Experience. Choose internship, independent research, or senior thesis (2 - 4 credits).
Social Science Courses (or any other course cross-listed with WGSS that carries a SS designation):
WGSS 41 (SOAN 41) Human Sexuality (4) (ND)
WGSS 42 (SOAN 42) Sexual Minorities (4) (SS)
WGSS 110 (GCP 110/SSP 110) Women's Work in Global Perspective (4) (SS)
WGSS 117 (HIST 117/STS 117) Women, Science, and Technology (4) (SS)
WGSS 123 (ANTH 123) Anthropology of Gender (4) (SS)
WGSS 128 (SSP 128) Race, Gender, and Work (4) (SS)
WGSS 130 (ECO 130) Economics of Race and Gender (2) (SS)
WGSS 179 (POLS 179) Politics of Women (4) (SS)
WGSS 310 (AAS 310/SSP 310) Gender, Race, and Sexuality: The Social Construction of Differences (4) (SS)
WGSS 318 (PSYC 318) Seminar in Gender and Psychology (4) (SS)
WGSS 325 (HIST 325/SSP 325) History of Sexuality and the Family in the U.S. (3-4) (SS)
WGSS 334 (HMS 334/PSYC 334) the Psychology of Body Image and Eating Disorders (4) (SS)
WGSS 341 (HMS 341/SSP 341) Women and Health (4) (SS)
WGSS 350 Seminar in Feminist Theory (4) (SS)
WGSS 351 (SSP 351) Gender and Social Change (4) (SS)
WGSS 364 (SSP 364) Sociology of the Family (4) (SS)
WGSS 365 (SSP 365) Inequalities at Work (4) (SS)
Special Topics Courses 91, 191, 272, 291, 371, 381, 382, 391, 392 (1-4) (ND)
Humanities Courses (or any other course cross-listed with WGSS that carries a HU designation):
WGSS 8 (REL 8) Prehistoric Religion, Art, and Technology (4) (HU)
WGSS 73 (ASIA 73/ GCP 73/MLL 73) Film, Fiction, and Gender in Modern China (4) (HU)
WGSS 121 (ART 121) Women in Art (4) (HU)
WGSS 129 (DES 129/THTR 129) History of Fashion and Style (4) (HU)
WGSS 138 (REL 138) Women in Jewish History (4) (HU)
WGSS 145 (AAS 145) African American Women Writers (4) (HU)
WGSS 184 (REL 184) Religion, Gender, and Power (4) (HU)
WGSS 226 (PHIL 226) Feminism and Philosophy (4) (HU)
WGSS 275 (LAS 275/SPAN 275) Introduction to HispanicWomen Writers (4) (HU)
WGSS 303 (GERM 303/MLL 303) Grimms' Fairy Tales: Folklore, Feminism, Film (4) (HU)
WGSS 311 (ENGL 311) Literature of Women (4) (HU)
WGSS 326 (SPAN 326) Tradition and Resistance: Women Writers of Latin America (4) (HU)
WGSS 327 (FREN 327) Women Writing in French (4) (HU)
WGSS 346 (LAS 346/SPAN 346) Contemporary Hispanic Women Writers: The Novelists (4) (HU)
Special Topics Courses 91, 191, 272, 291, 371, 381, 382, 391, 392 (1-4) (ND)
Senior Experiences:
WGSS 271 Independent Reading and Research (1-4) (SS/HU
WGSS 330 Internship in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (1-4) (SS)
WGSS 373 Internship in Women's Center (1-3) (SS)
WGSS 399 Senior Thesis (2-4) (ND)

Honors in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

In order to receive honors in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, the student must attain a 3.5 grade-point average in courses presented for the major and a 3.2 grade-point average overall, and must take WGSS 399 and write a thesis during their senior year.

Undergraduate Minor in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

The minor in WGSS engages students in the study of three interrelated subjects. The first is an examination of the cultural, historical, and social experiences and contributions of women. The second is an exploration of gender (the social construction of differential identity for males and females) and of the ways in which gender distinctions shape human consciousness and human society. The third is an examination of sex/gender and sexuality systems.

Nearly all academic disciplines have defined human nature and significant achievement in terms of male experience and have underestimated the impact of gender on social structures and human lives. By contrast, WGSS courses attend to women's diverse experiences and perspectives and acknowledge the critical significance of gender and sexuality. By shifting the focus to women, gender, and sexuality, WGSS seeks to provide an alternative paradigm for understanding human experience. Students in WGSS courses are encouraged to reevaluate traditional assumptions about human beings, human knowledge, and human culture and society, and to explore nonsexist alternatives for a more fully human social order.

The minor in WGSS consists of a minimum of 18 credit hours. Students pursuing the minor are required to take the introductory course (WGSS 001) and one upper-level course from among those concerned with the theory and practice of women, gender, and sexuality studies. Courses completed must include at least one course in the arts and humanities and one course in the natural and social sciences. Students arrange their program in consultation with the program director.

Undergraduate Minor (18 credits total); 6 credits from the following courses:

WGSS 001 Women & Men in Society (4)

And 2 credits from the following

WGSS 271	Independent Reading and Research (1-4)
WGSS 330	Internship in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (1-4)
WGSS 373	Internship in Women's Center (1-3)

One 300-level course (4 credits) *

Two electives or new course as approved (8 credits) *

*One course must be HU and one course must be SS

Course Descriptions

In addition to these courses, new courses may be offered annually. Students should check with the director for an updated list.

Undergraduate Courses

WGSS 001. Women & Men in Society (4)

The course introduces students to key concepts, theoretical frameworks, and interdisciplinary research in the field of Women’s and Gender Studies. Examines how gender interacts with race, age, class, sexuality, etc., to shape human consciousness and determine the social organization of human society. The course may include topics such as: gender and work; sexuality and reproduction; women’s health; media constructions of gender and race; gender, law, and public policy. (SS)

WGSS 008. (REL 008) Prehistoric Religion, Art, and Technology (4)

Origins and early development of religions, with focus on interactions of religion, art, and technology in the Paleolithic and Neolithic periods. Special attention to the emergence of patriarchal social forms and the figure of the goddess. Interdisciplinary methods with a consideration of feminist theories of cultural development. Girardot (HU)

WGSS 041. (SOAN 041) Human Sexuality (4)

Sexuality and gender roles across the life cycle, including human reproduction, decision-making, and the societal regulation of sexual behavior. (ND)

WGSS 042. (SOAN 042) Sexual Minorities (4)

How minority sexual identities have been the subject of speculation, misunderstanding, and sometimes violent attempts at correction or elimination. Sexual orientation, gender role, including transvestism and "drag", transsexualism, sexism, heterosexism, and homophobia. Emphasis on critical thinking, guest speakers, and discussions. (SS)

WGSS 073. (ASIA 073, GCP 073, MLL 073) Film, Fiction, and Gender in Modern China (4)

Study of the struggle for an individual "modern" identity out of traditionally defined roles for men and women as depicted by Chinese writers and filmmakers. Class, texts, and films in English. Students interested in setting up a corollary Chinese language component for credit as CHIN 251 may discuss this possibility with the professor. Cook (HU)

WGSS 110. ( GCP 110, SSP 110) Women's Work in Global Perspectives (4)

This course brings to the forefront the intersections of race, class, gender, and nation with women's employment around the world. We will examine women's paid and unpaid work in the U.S., Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Africa, in effort to understand the striking persistence of gender inequality over time and across the world. Topics of study include: work and family relations, women's domestic labor, factory work, and agribusiness. In addition we will explore the ways in which women have organized for changes in work and in their communities in order to conceive of possibilities for the future of women's work. Krasas (SS)

WGSS 117. (HIST 117, STS 117) Women, Science, and Technology (4)

Explores the impact of technology and science on women's social roles, and the contribution of women engineers and scientists to their disciplines. Will focus on the American experience. Among the topics discussed are invention, design, laboratory research, education, engineering professionalism, labor force participation, office mechanization, household appliances, virtual spaces, childcare and reproduction. Cooper (SS)

WGSS 121. (ART 121) Women in Art (4)

A history of women artists from Renaissance to present day, with emphasis on artists of the 20th and 21st century from a global perspective. We explore attitudes toward women artists and their work as well as the changing role of women in art world. There may be required visits to museums and/or artists' studios. Gans (HU)

WGSS 123. (ANTH 123) Anthropology of Gender (4)

Comparative study of the meanings and social roles associated with gender. Psychological, symbolic, and cultural approaches. Tannenbaum (SS)

WGSS 124. (HIST 124) Women in America (4)

Roles of women in American society from colonial to present times : attitudes toward women, female sexuality, women's work, and feminism. Cooper, Najar (SS)

WGSS 128. (SSP 128) Race, Gender, and Work (4)

Race, Gender and Work is a class designed to help students understand racial and gender inequalities as they relate specifically to work and employment. We explore the origins and histories of inequalities, the ways in which inequalities persist and/or change today, and what steps might be taken toward creating a more equal society. Krasas (SS)

WGSS 129. (DES 129/THTR 129) History of Fashion and Style (4)

Dress and culture in the Western Hemisphere from prehistory to today. The evolution of silhouette, garment forms and technology. The relationship of fashion to politics, art and behavior. Cultural and environmental influences on human adornment. (HU)

WGSS 130. (ECO 130) Economics of Race and Gender (2)

The question of the role of race and gender in economic decision-making is explored. Various sorts of discrimination are discussed in an economic framework and possible remedies are evaluated. The historical role of race and gender in the economy is also discussed. Prerequisite: ECO 1. (SS)

WGSS 138. (REL 138) Women in Jewish History (4)

Contributions of, and limitations on, women at different stages of Jewish history, using both primary sources and secondary material. Experience of modern Jewish women, and the contemporary feminist critique of traditional gender roles. Weissler (HU)

WGSS 145. (AAS 145) African American Women Writers (4)

Literature by African American women writers with a focus on the experiences and images of black women in the U.S. Explores the written portraits and voices of 20th century black female novelists and poets, including Hurston, Petry, Morrison, Angelou, and Walker. Staff (HU)

WGSS 179. (POLS 179) Politics of Women (4)

Selected social and political issues relating to the role of women in American society. Focuses on such questions as economics equality, poverty, and work roles, the older woman, gender gap, political leadership, reproduction technology, and sexual violence. Olson (SS)

WGSS 184. (REL 184) Religion, Gender, and Power (4)

Gender differences as one of the basic legitimations for the unequal distribution of power in Western society. Feminist critiques of the basic social structures, cultural forms, and hierarchies of power within religious communities, and the ways in which religious groups have responded. (HU)

WGSS 226. (PHIL 226) Feminism and Philosophy (4)

Analysis of the nature, sources and consequences of the oppression and exploitation of women, and justification of strategies for liberation. Topics include women's nature and human nature, sexism, femininity, sexuality, reproduction, mothering. Prerequisite: One HU designated course in Philosophy or one course in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. Dillon (HU)

WGSS 271. Independent Reading and Research (1-4)

Independent study of selected topics designated and executed in close collaboration with a member of Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies faculty. Students taking this course as a requirement for the minor must elect at least the three-credit option. May be repeated for elective credit. Prerequisite: consent of the WGSS program director. (SS/HU)

WGSS 275. (LAS 275/SPAN 275) Introduction to Hispanic Women Writers (4)

The objective of this class is to introduce students to Hispanic contemporary female authors from Latin America, Spain, and the United States through the analysis of all literary genres (novel, short story, poetry, essay, and drama). This class provides students with a solid introduction to Hispanic women's writing from the last years of the Nineteenth Century to the present, as well as to feminist literary theory. Portela (HU)

WGSS 303 (GERM 303, MLL 303) Grimms' Fairy Tales: Folklore, Feminism, Film (4)

This intercultural history of the Grimms' fairy tales investigates how folktale types and gender stereotypes developed and became models for children and adults. The course covers the literary fairy tale in Germany as well as Europe and America. Versions of "Little Red Riding Hood", "Cinderella", or "Sleeping Beauty" exist not only in the Grimms' collection but in films and many forms of world literature. Modern authors have rewritten fairy tales in feminist ways, promoting social change. Taught in English. German language students may receive a German component. Stegmann (HU)

WGSS 310. (AAS 310, SSP 310) Gender, Race, and Sexuality: The Social Construction of Differences (4)

This course will provide the student with an opportunity to engage current debates about the meaning and use of racial and sexual classification systems in society. Using a multidisciplinary approach, we will examine the historical and sociological contexts in which specific theories of racial and sexual differences emerged in the U.S. Additionally, we will explore the ways in which changes in the images have implications on the role racial, gender and sexual identity plays in our understanding of the relationship between difference and inequality. Prerequisite: WGSS 001 or department permission. Saunders (SS)

WGSS 311. (ENGL 311) Gender and Literature (4)

Exploration of constructions of gender and sexuality in literature from different historical periods, traditions, and nationalities. How do female and male writers envision what it means to be a “woman” or to be a “man” at various moments in history and from various places around the world? How have gendered (and sexed) identities been shaped in various constraining and empowering ways in the literary imagination? What specifically gendered issues (such as love and violence) have been represented in literature? Content changes each semester. May be repeated for credit as title changes.(HU)

WGSS 318. (PSYC 318) Seminar in Gender and Psychology (4)

Gender as shaped by psychological and social psychological processes. Socialization, communication and power, gender stereotypes, methodological issues in sex differences research. Prerequisite: PSYCH 210 completed or concurrent or consent of instructor. Department permission required. (Advanced Psychology Seminar) Hyland (SS)

WGSS 325. (HIST 325, SSP 325) History of Sexuality and the Family in the U.S. (3-4)

Changing conceptions of sexuality and the role of women, men, and children in the family and society from the colonial to the post-World War II era. Emphasis on the significance of socioeconomic class and cultural background. Topics include family structure, birth control, legal constraints, marriage, divorce, and prostitution. Najar (SS)

WGSS 326. (SPAN 326, LAS 326) Tradition and Resistance: Women Writers of Latin America (4)

Study of poetry and narrative works by Latin American women writers. Authors include Rosario Ferré, Rosario Castellanos, Elena Poniatowska, Cristina Peri Rossi, among others. Prerequisite: Spanish 152 or equivalent. (HU)

WGSS 327. (FREN 327) Women Writing in French (4)

Reading and discussion of works written by women in French. The emphasis is on 19th and 20th Century writers, such as G. Sand, Colette S. de Beauvoir, M. Duras, Andrée Chédid. Chabut (HU)

WGSS 330. Internship in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (1-4)

Supervised work in women's organizations or settings, combined with an analysis, in the form of a major paper, of the experience using the critical perspectives gained in WGSS courses. Placements arranged to suit individual interests and career goals; can include social service agencies, women's advocacy groups, political organizations, etc. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisites: WGSS 001 or WGSS 101 and consent of the WGSS program director. (SS)

WGSS 331 (SSP 331) Gendered Experience of Globalization (4)

Women and men experience globalization differently and globalization affects women in different cultural and national contexts. Gender stratification has been intensified by the transnational flow of goods and people. Course provides students with a survey of new development in feminist theories on globalization and on gender stratification and development, and links these theoretical frameworks to empirical research about gender issues that have become more prominent with globalization. Zhang (SS)

WGSS 334 (HMS 334, PSYC 334) The Psychology of Body Image and Eating Disorders (4)

The course addresses the psychosocial aspects of the development of healthy and unhealthy body image and eating disorders. The roles of personality traits/individual factors, family and interpersonal functioning, and cultural factors will be examined, as will the impact of representations of body image in mass media. Public health and psychological interventions for prevention and treatment will be explored. Personal accounts/memoirs, clinical case presentations, and documentary and dramatic films will be incorporated in the presentation of topics. (Open only to declared HMS minors, declared WGSS minors, or those who have taken WGSS 001 or WGSS 101). (SS)

WGSS 341. (HMS 341, SSP 341) Women and Health (4)

Relationships of women to the medical system. Influence of medicine on women's lives and the impact of the women's movement on health care. Lasker (SS)

WGSS 346. (LAS 346, SPAN 346) Contemporary Hispanic Women Writers: The Novelists (4)

This course explores the works of Hispanic women writers who have been oppositional to hegemonic cultural politics during the Twentieth Century in Latin America and Spain. Grounding the readings in their particular contexts, the class discusses the issues these writers define as important in their work, the impact of their creations in both the literary cannon as well as in the politics of their countries, the use of literature as a weapon to empower minority positions, and the effect of their narratives on the changing literary cannon. Special attention will be paid to issues related to interpretations of history, exile, different forms of violence and repression, expressions of desire, and sexuality. Portela (HU)

WGSS 350. Seminar in Feminist Theory (4)

An upper-level seminar serving as a capstone experience that challenges students to systematize insights gained from introductory and elective courses through the more deeply analytical lens of feminist theory. Prerequisite: WGSS 001 or WGSS 101 or consent of the WGSS program director. (SS)

WGSS 351. (SSP 351) Gender and Social Change (4)

Changes in gender roles from social psychological and structural perspectives. Comparative analyses of men and women (including people of color) in the social structure; their attitudes and orientations toward work, family, education, and politics. (SS)

WGSS 364. (SSP 364) Sociology of the Family (4)

Sociological analysis of families in the United States, including investigations of historical and contemporary patterns. Issues addressed include parenting, combining work and family, divorce and remarriage, family policies. Staff (SS)

WGSS 365. (SSP 365) Inequalities at Work (4)

Primary focus is on race, gender, and class as axes of disadvantage and privilege in work and employment. We will explore both theories and empirical studies of inequality as well as their social, political, and practical ramifications for the workplace. The course will be conducted seminar-style and the class will rely heavily on student participation. Krasas (SS)

WGSS 373. Internship in Women's Center (1-3)

Supervised work in the Women's Center allows students to bring critical perspectives on women and gender into the campus community. Students who wish to fulfill the internship requirement of the WGSS minor must take the Women's Center internship for (3). This course may be repeated for credit up to a maximum of 6 credits. Prerequisites: WGSS 001 and consent of the Women's Center director. Jones (SS)

WGSS 399. Senior Thesis (2-4)

Research during senior year culminating in a senior thesis. May be repeated up to a total of 4 credits. Prerequisite: consent of the Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies program director. (ND)

WGSS 91, 191, 272, 291, 371, 381, 382, 391, 392. Special Topics (1-4)

Intensive study of a topic of special interest not covered in other courses. May be cross-listed with relevant offerings in major department or other programs. May be repeated for credit as topic varies. Prerequisite: consent of the Women's Studies program office. (ND)

Graduate Certificate in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

The Graduate Certificate in WGSS is designed as a complement to a disciplinary graduate program or as a standalone post-baccalaureate course of study. The Certificate is a small, flexible program that provides students with breadth and the challenge of working outside their home discipline in concentrated interdisciplinary study of women and gender. In recognition of contemporary educational and employment contexts that are increasingly diverse and international, the WGSS p Program offers the graduate certificate as a means to enrich academic, personal, and employment horizons. A certificate in WGSS will be especially beneficial to those who wish to incorporate a broader perspective into their teaching (either in secondary or higher education), and qualifies them for positions that require such expertise. Additionally, individuals interested in fields such as social policy, human resources, and business will also gain from understanding how gender operates at individual, organizational, and institutional levels. Students will work closely with outstanding faculty from diverse disciplinary backgrounds.

Basic Requirements:

4 courses for a total of at least 12 credits
2 courses outside home department (for matriculating students)
No more than 6 credits at the 300-level
WGSS 450 Seminar in Feminist Theory

Admissions:

Students in degree programs must be in good standing in their programs and are encouraged to apply early in their course of studies. Non-degree students must hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent with a 3.0 GPA.

Graduate Course Descriptions

WGSS 403 (GERM 403) Grimms' Fairy Tales: Folklore, Feminism, Film (3)

WGSS 411. (ENGL 411) Topics in Gender and Literature (3)

This seminar explores constructions of gender and sexuality in literature from different historical periods, traditions, and nationalities. Content changes each semester. May be repeated for credit as title changes. (HU)

WGSS 418 (SSP 418) Gendered Experience of Globalization (3)

WGSS 430. Internship in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (1-3)

Internship related to women, gender, and sexuality studies. Supervised by WGSS faculty. Prerequisite: consent of the WGSS program

WGSS 441. (SSP 441) Women and Health (3)

Relationships of women to the medical system. Influence of medicine on women's lives and the impact of the women's movement on health care. Staff (SS)

WGSS 450. Seminar in Feminist Theory (3)

A graduate seminar providing foundational study of multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks of women, gender, and sexuality studies. (SS)

WGSS 458. (HIST 458) Readings in Gender History (3)

Study in small groups under the guidance of a faculty member on the literature of an issue, period, country or culture within gender history. May be repeated for credit with permission of the faculty advisor. Cooper, LeMaster, Najar, Pettegrew (HU)

WGSS 465. (SSP 465) Inequalities at Work (3)

WGSS 484. (PSYC 484) Psychology of Gender (3)

Major theoretical approaches and empirical debates in the psychology of gender, with a focus on the interplay of nature and nurture in producing gender similarities, gender differences and gender variation in personality, social behaviors, cognitive abilities, achievement, sexuality, and mental health. Methodological issues in gender research. Prerequisite Consent of instructor. Hyland (SS)

WGSS 491. Independent Study (3)

Individually supervised course in area of women, gender, and sexuality studies not ordinarily covered in regularly listed courses. Prerequisite: consent of the WGSS program director. (SS)