Women's Studies

This course selectively studies the art and lives of women artists, investigates theories concerning representations of women, and examines contextual issues that impact women’s lives and their artistic production. 

A study of the human reproductive system with primary emphasis on anatomy and physiology. Consideration also will be given the psychological, religious, and ethical aspects of human sexuality. Lecture.

Labor supply, labor demand, and their interaction in the determination of wage rates are the points of examination for this course. Wage differentials are examined in light of market, institutional, and sociological factors. Discussions of labor unions and their economic effects are held as are examinations of macroeconomic topics such as unemployment and inflation.

Topics in creative writing by women. Topics may include Feminist Literature, Reading and Writing Women, women writers within certain periods and cultural contexts, and specific themes such as women and art. 

Although men and women have many similar health problems, women also face issues that are unique to them. Throughout history, women have been subjected to many misconceptions relating to their health and their ability to be a functioning part of society. Additionally, they have experienced discrimination in their daily lives and in the area of healthcare. Not only are women living longer now, but they are experiencing more healthcare problems due to increased lifespan. In this course topics will be introduced to provide students with knowledge related to the wide spectrum of women’s health issues and how they might deal with them. Possible topics include; history of women’s healthcare, the economics of women’s healthcare, preventing cardiovascular disease and cancer, nutrition and exercise, chronic diseases for women, sexual and reproductive health, HIV/sexually transmitted infections, violence against women, mental health issues of female aging and the impact of the workplace on women’s health. 

For years women have had to fight for gender equality, especially in the male dominated area of sports. This course will closely examine the obstacles women have had to overcome in their quest for equality in sports throughout history. The course will be comprised of lectures, readings and discussions from assigned articles, video presentations in class, and student presentations on issues related to the struggle for women to compete in sports.

A study of women in American history from The Colonial Era to the present. 

A readings course on women’s lives in various non-Western traditional cultures. Cross-listed with POL 402. 

A study of philosophical views of gender and sexuality. Specific authors, texts, and topics will vary and may include historical as well as contemporary perspectives. Typical issues covered include the following: whether gender and sexual identities are naturally given versus socially constructed; the nature and causes of gender expectations; sexism and sexual inequalities; the ways in which gender and sexuality intersect with other aspects of identity such as race, class, and culture; theories of love and sexual relationship; feminist analyses of traditional philosophical issues in metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics. GEP Writing Intensive. Counts toward Women’s Studies credit.

A study of the role of Women in American Politics. This course considers the historical context of women and major political movements to consider the evolution and impact of women in politics in the current U.S. context. This course engages with a variety of topics involving women in politics including public opinion, representation, and political institutions.

A readings course on women’s lives in various non-Western traditional cultures. Cross-listed with HST 402. 

A study of gender comparisons in behavior. Selected topics include theories of female development, femininity, masculinity, and androgyny, gender comparisons in personality, adjustment, abilities, achievement, motivation, language, biological influences, sexuality, violence against women, and cross- cultural perspectives. Offered alternate years. Spring Term.

An interdisciplinary introduction to Women’s Studies examining methodology, perspectives, and writings in Women’s Studies from the humanities, social sciences, and sciences.