FALL 2010 WOMEN’S STUDIES COURSES
Some of the following courses do not focus entirely on women, but discussions of
women or gender are a major part of the course. Read the descriptions carefully, read the
H&S Supplement, and consult with the professor for further information about the course
ARTH-27505-01, IMAGING AUTHORITY, Jennifer German
This course will consider images of rulers from the early modern period, such as
Elizabeth I (1533-1603) and Louis XIV (1638-1715), to the present, including the
representation of the 2008 presidential candidates, in a series of case studies. In
particular, this course will engage with visual constructions of power and authority in
relation to culturally specific concepts of identity, including gender, sexuality, race, and
class. We will look at a variety of representational formats and consider how images of
authority have changed or remain unchanged over time. PREREQUISITES: One course
in the humanities or fine arts.
ENGL-35500, IMAGINING HERSELF: WOMEN’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY,
Katharine Kittredge
Examination of the way women have employed autobiography as a form of selfexpression and gender definition. Consideration of the way autobiographies differ from
other forms of personal expression and how they can be analyzed as literary texts.
Authors may include Beryl Markham, Zora Neale Hurston, Audre Lorde, Annie Dillard,
Dorothy Allison, Maxine Hong Kingston, Nancy Mairs, May Sarton, and Temple
Grandin. Prerequisites: Three courses in the humanities, one of which is an English
course; sophomore standing
HIST-26700, WITCHCRAFT IN EARLY MODERN EUROPE AND NEW
ENGLAND, Vivian Bruce Conger
This course will explore the background of witchcraft in early modern Europe (Germany,
France, Italy, and England in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries) and then will
concentrate on seventeenth-century New England and the Salem witch trials. It will
examine why the outbreaks occurred when they did, who was accused of witchcraft and
why, how the outbreaks reflected social and cultural values, and how the crises were
resolved. Issues of religion, class, social structure, and especially gender will form the
backdrop against which these broader questions will be examined.
MUNM-25500, WOMEN IN MUSIC, Louise Mygatt
An examination of the music and lives of women in various musical settings,
beginning with classical music in medieval Europe and shifting, in the 20th century, to
popular music in the United States. The class examines women's roles and contributions
as singers, instrumentalists, composers, and conductors, as well as the challenges facing
women as professional musicians. These are viewed within the context of society's
perception of women at the time. Listening and analytical skills are developed through
studying the music itself. The class is designed for non-music majors, with no musical
background necessary, and issues raised are relevant to both men and women. This
course may be used as a music elective for the bachelor of music degree or as a liberal
arts elective for the bachelor of arts in music degree. Prerequisites: Sophomore standing.
POLT-14100, POWER: RACE, SEX AND CLASS, Zillah Eisenstein
We will deal with the distribution of power in the U.S. according to economic
class, sex, and race hierarchies. We discuss what power is, where it comes from, where it
is located. This involves the analysis of power in terms of issues of capitalism,
globalism, patriarchy, and racism, as well as the specific issues they raise for policy
making, persons, the family, and corporate power. The analysis will hopefully help us
understand the relations of power defining black working class women, white male
workers, white middle class women, etc. The premise of the course is that in order to
understand capitalist society one must understand the racialized aspects of sexuality as a
form of power, as well as the sexualized aspects of race. Some specific topics discussed
are: the changing aspects of the nation-state; Reagan/Clinton/Bush political discourses;
the Gulf Wars 1991-2008; the Chilean 1973 Coup; the changing realities of the
middle/working class; the global racialized sexual division of labor; the rise of China in
the global market; the O.J. Simpson trial.
POLT-34200, LIBERALISM AND MARXISM: THEORIZING CAPITALISM,
SLAVERY, AND PATRIARCHY, Zillah Eisenstein
This course intends to open students to thinking theoretically and within historical
context. We examine and query the relationship between liberalism and Marxism in
terms of sexual, racial, and economic class hierarchies. The course deals with the
capitalist division of labor and its relation to the racist and patriarchal sexual division of
labor in slavery. The theorists studies are: Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, JJ Rousseau,
Karl Marx, JS Mill, Sri Aurobindo, Rosa Luxemburg, and Maria Stewart. Our study
looks to significant conflicts between Marxism and liberalism with in their theories of
private property and individuality. And, we look to the similarities within these theories
on masculinist privilege and slave-trade relations. Constructs of nature, natural,
democracy, civilization, rationality, inclusivity, and humanity are explored.
PSYC-26100, PSYCHOLOGY OF WOMEN, Carla Golden
This course is designed to introduce students to contemporary psychological
research and feminist theories on a variety of topics related to girls and women’s lives,
including the social construction of sex and gender; gender similarities and differences;
the racialized gender socialization of girls; puberty and adolescence, friendships,
sexuality, intimate relationships, work, parenting, mental health, and violence against
women. Throughout, attention will be paid to differences among women and the impact
of class, culture, race/ethnicity, and sexual preference in their lives. Critical to a
consideration of each of these topics is an understanding of the social and cultural
contexts in which psychological development takes place, specifically the gender and
racial inequality still pervasive across the globe. We will consider the causes,
consequences, and changing face of such inequalities in the lives of girls and women
today. The course will also include daily integration of contemporary news related to
issues of gender and feminism around the world, as well as a focus on feminist
movements and strategies for social change.
RLST-37700, WOMEN AND RELIGION, Rachel Wagner
A study of the emerging issues regarding women and religion, including the
psychology of women's spiritual journey, the importance of the feminine or yin
dimension of reality, the role of women in ancient and traditional religions, and new
forms of feminine spirituality. Prerequisites: Three courses in religion and/or philosophy,
or those courses in psychology, sociology, anthropology, and politics that address
women's issues.
SOCI-21000, WOMEN'S LIVES, Judith Barker
To understand women's experiences in our society from a sociological and
feminist perspective as well as recognizing the differences among women by age, class,
race, and sexual orientation. Areas covered include social construction of gender; gender
and culture; sexuality; work; health and reproduction; religion; crime and deviance;
power and politics; social reform; and new directions.
SOCI-22800: MEN'S LIVES, Rebecca Plante,
This course is an introduction to the sociology of gender relationships through the
prism of men's lives. It will look at the life experience, emotions, physical reactions,
identities and aspirations of men. We consider men’s relationships as they interact with
women and with other men. We explore the variety of male experience and conceptions
of masculinity by race, class, sexual orientation, and ethnicity, as well as the way in
which men’s lives are influenced by social institutions. The course will follow men's
lives through the life course from birth through maturation and adulthood to old age and
death, to understand how society influences the social construction of masculinity in the
U.S. culture.
SOCI-21300, SOCIOLOGY OF SEXUALITIES, Rebecca Plante
Most of ‘the sexual’ fascinates and vexes most of us, whether we are scholars,
students, or scientists. Regardless of sexual orientation, preferences, and activities,
sexuality impacts us throughout our lives. This course will give students a unique
opportunity to merge the personal interests with a social scientific framework, analysis,
and theories. We will examine how individuals are socially contextualized and how
something as seemingly personal and individual as sexuality has a much broader context.
Throughout the semester, we will delve into some of the mysteries of sexualities,
orientations, and activities. Prerequisites: One course in the social sciences or sophomore
standing.
SOCI-32400-01, SOCIOLOGY OF VIOLENCE, Kimberly Baker
This course examines violence as a social phenomenon. We will consider the
definitions, correlates, and causes of violence and victimization, as well as institutions
and organizations designed to address violence (from law enforcement to the courts to
victim support). While many forms of personal and collective violence will be
addressed, special attention will be paid to sexual and family violence.
SOCI-32800, DRUGS & SOCIETY, Kimberly Baker
The American experience with illicit drugs is complex. On the one hand, we have
more access to psychoactive drugs than any other society. On the other hand, we control
and punish drug use more than any other society. This course is designed to analyze this
complex situation from multiple angles with specific attention to the ways that our
cultural understandings of drugs, drug use, and drug policy are racialized, class-based,
and gendered.
SOCI-33800, GLOBAL VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN, Nina Cummings
To provide an overview of gender relations worldwide, as well as an analysis of
the historical, theoretical and methodological perspectives that create the context for
gender terrorism and violence against women. The consequences of violence are social,
economic, physical and psychological which transforms the violence from a cultural or
criminal issue to one of health and human rights. It is within this context that the impact
of the violence will be examined, as well as the promising practices worldwide that
combat “gender terrorism”.
SOCI-43100, GENDER STUDIES: SEXUALITY & HEALTH, Lis Maurer
This course explores the intersections of sexuality and health and focuses on both
as social concepts. We will investigate the manner in which sexuality and health are
shaped by individual, social and cultural factors and how ideas about our bodies and our
sexuality are related to ideas about our health. The course will examine intersections and
relationships between sexuality and health, both across populations and in minority and
stigmatized communities; describe and assess key frameworks for understanding sexual
health and sexuality; explore the various ways social norms, beliefs, and attitudes can
impact sexual health; analyze and explore sexual health issues such as race, ethnicity,
socioeconomic class, HIV and STDs, sexual violence, sexual orientation, gender identity,
ability/disability, sexual dysfunction, aging, and body image; and gain a deeper
understanding and appreciation for the various ways in which social concepts of
sexuality and identity can impact health.
SOCI-43800: SPECIAL TOPICS: DOING GENDER & SEXUAL DIVERSITY,
Rebecca Plante
This upper-level seminar is designed to further students' existing (academic)
knowledge of genders and sexualities. Together we will analyze theories and empirical
studies of gender and sexual diversity; content will address trans/gender, intersex/uality,
hegemony, cisgender, power, queer sexualities, and hetero/sex. Our focus will be North
American but there will be significant cross-cultural material and we will weave
race/ethnicity and class throughout our coursework. The course is intended to challenge
and engage students, inspire socio-structural analyses, and further advance students'
analytical skills.
SPCM-34600: GENDER AND INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION, Laurie
Arliss
Advanced theoretical examination of interpersonal communication,
concentrating on nonverbal communication, language, power, gender, and characteristics
of and problems in interpersonal relationships. Prerequisites: SPCM 14000 or SPCM
14900; two courses in the social sciences; sophomore standing.
SPMM-29800-01: GENDER ISSUES IN SPORT, Ellen Staurowsky
This course is designed to focus on the central role gender plays in the
formulation of understandings and expectations individuals entertain about sport in
American culture. An overview of selected psycho-social, historical, and philosophical
issues that shape the nature and scope of men's and women's participation in sport and
physical activity will be presented. Particular emphasis will be placed on the social
construction of gender in a predominant male value system and how female and male
sport experience is defined and constrained by that system.
WMST-10000-01, 02: INTRODUCTION TO WOMEN'S STUDIES, Vera
Whisman
In this introductory course, designed for students with an interest in Women's
Studies, students will focus primarily on women's issues and experiences in
contemporary U.S. culture, with attention to the experiences of women in cultures outside
of the U.S. Beginning with the idea that "women" is not a monolithic category, the
course includes an exploration of issues of race, class, and gender as they have impacted
and continue to impact women. Topics may include: an introduction to feminism/s; an
overview of contemporary feminist theories and the social construction of sex and
gender; women's narratives; women's history, including the history of women's resistance
and activism; and contemporary issues of importance to women, including: sexuality,
physiology, body image, reproduction, motherhood, politics, and legal issues including
sexual and domestic violence, reproductive rights, and medical issues. Open to all
interested students; required for the Women's Studies minor.
WMST 22000, QUEER STUDIES, Vera Whisman
This class will familiarize students with contemporary queer studies. While the term
“queer studies” defies easy definition, for the purposes of this class it will entail lgbt (lesbian,
gay, bisexual, and transgender) studies from a social constructionist standpoint. The
historical development and contemporary dynamics of lgbt life will be examined, with
particular emphasis on identities, communities, and social movements. The intersections of
gender and sexual preference with race, class, and gender will be emphasized throughout.
WRTG 27002 WOMEN AND FAIRY TALES, Katharyn Machan
“Women and Fairy Tales” will offer the opportunity for challenging, truly
interdisciplinary study of a body of literature long important to personal and global
understanding. The scope of scholarship about fairy tales is, of course, vast; this seminar
will focus on female roles presented primarily (though not exclusively) in the stories
gathered by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm—a focus particularly valuable for our students,
especially those who will pursue graduate study and write and publish, with the imminent
200th anniversary of the release of these folklorists’ first collection. Students will be
asked to examine, question, and form their own ideas about not only the depictions of
women in fairy tales, but the positive and negative effects of these characterizations—
archetypes and stereotypes--on listeners and readers through the ages.