WOMEN’S STUDIES BACHELOR OF ARTS PROGRAM
Earn a B.A. degree in Women’s Studies! Double majors are welcome!
The B.A. program in Women's Studies requires 30 credit hours (10 courses) of interdisciplinary upper-division course
work. The major requires a core concentration of four courses and six electives for a total of 10 courses. Any core
concentration course that is not taken for the core requirement may be taken as an elective. For more information on our
degree programs, please see: http://womensstudies.fiu.edu/BA.html
UNDERGRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN WOMEN’S STUDIES
GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN WOMEN’S STUDIES
Our undergraduate certificate program requires 18 credit
Our graduate certificate program requires 15 credit hours
hours (6 courses). We also have a fully-online certificate
(5 courses) at the 5000 level or higher. For more
program option. Please see:
information, please see:
http://womensstudies.fiu.edu/UndergradCert.html
http://womensstudies.fiu.edu/GradCert.html
Fall 2009 Course Offerings
*Courses are subject to change based on enrollment
Official Registration Week: July 30 - Aug 7
Open Registration Week: Aug 10 - Aug 23
UNIVERSITY PARK CAMPUS
WST 3015-U02
893348
Intro. To Women’s Studies
Blumenfeld
Tu Th 12:30 – 1:45 PM
This course is designed to introduce students to women's studies as an interdisciplinary field of knowledge. The purpose
of the course is to involve students in the on-going dialogue of women's experiences and women's socialization by sex,
class, color, and culture, as well as the economics of discrimination. The course will assist students in clarifying the many
misconceptions surrounding the discipline and the myths and realities regarding women's status in society. Topics of
discussion include: Connections between women’s studies and feminism; questions of identity and socialization process in
determining gender roles; diversity: class, race, ethnicity, age, and sexual orientation; religion and the status of women in
societies; our bodies, ourselves; women and work; women and education. Some of the questions addressed in women’s
studies include: Why study women? Are women powerless or powerful? Why are racism, heterosexism, ageism, and class
exploitation considered to be women’s studies issues? How can feminist thought be used in transformative ways?
WST 3641 U01-C
87768
Gay & Lesbian Across Societies
Vega
MW
6:25 – 7:40 PM
This course provides an interdisciplinary introduction to gay and lesbian studies by examining the complex issues and
debates in American society regarding sexual orientation. An examination of both historical antecedents and the
contemporary gay rights movement will include such topics as religion, lifestyles, legal and political issues, and influences
on arts and literature.
WST 4252 U01-C
95833
Border Crossings: Race/Gender in
Patil
Tu Th 2:00 – 3:15 PM
WST 5253 U01-C
95910
Hist. & Transnational Perspectives
This is an advanced-level course intended to help student develop a world-historical perspectives on issues of race and
gender in modern society. We will adopt an explicitly historical approach and examine how each category has
developed over centuries. Second, a critical component of our studies will be intercultural contact: how has contact
between different societies led to power-laden constructions of race and gender? How have the definitions of each
relied on the other? What has been the role of these constructions in processes of imperialism and colonialism? What
has happened to modern understandings of race and gender with decolonization and the advance of independence
movements around the world? What can we say, sociologically, about constructions of race and gender today? In our
study, we will look not just to Sociology but also to other disciplines that offer some insight into such questions,
including Political Science, History, Anthropology, Postcolonial Studies and Women’s Studies.
WST 4905 U01-Z
89406
WST Independent Study
Shrage
TBA
TBA
WST 5905 U01-Z
89408
Supervised readings course designed for advanced students who wish to pursue specialized topics in women’s studies.
Arrangements must be made with faculty member during prior semester. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.
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Women’s Studies|Fall 2009 Course Offerings
WST 4930 U01-O
87632
Spec. Topics: Societies in the World Patil
Tu
6:25 – 9:05 PM
SYP 3456 U02-C
96009
(Feminist Perspectives)
This course is an introduction to the impact of recent globalization processes on societies around the world, with a
particular focus on gender. On the one hand, it will examine how multiple processes of globalization affect gender
relations around the world. On the other hand, it will also examine how these processes of globalization are themselves
shaped by gender relations around the world. We will turn our gender lens on a number of themes which, while typically
considered standard dimensions of globalization, are nevertheless usually not recognized as gendered phenomena. As
such, we will explore “politico-economic” processes having to do with economy, environment, population control,
militarism and migration, as well as “cultural” processes having to do with media, ideas, and identities. We will also spend
some time on feminist movements in the context of globalization.
WST 4930 U02-O
96458
WST Special Topics: Philos. of Film
Shrage
MWF
4:00 – 4:50 PM
WST 5935 U02-O
96459
PHM 4884 U01-C
95822
This course will cover work at the intersection of the philosophy of art (aesthetics) and film studies. We will consider
questions such as: are films works of art, is a film the creative expression primarily of the director, how do films engage
our emotions and intellects, how do movies represent reality, how do we assess the social and political impact of films,
and what are the standard film genres and narrative conventions particular to them? WS majors and certificate earners
will also explore feminist film theory and the intersection of gender and film studies. WS students should discuss with
professor at the beginning of the semester which of the recommended readings they will cover (in lieu of some of the
philosophy reading).
WST 4940 U01-I
86558
Women’s Studies Internship
Shrage
TBA
TBA
WST 5946 U01-I
86640
This course is available only to students who have taken three Women's Studies courses. Internship sites are arranged on
a case by case basis. Students may propose a site or select from sites already established. Most sites are off-campus. See
website for guidelines and forms: http://www.fiu.edu/~wstudies/Internship.html
AMH 5905 U01-C 86754
Race Gender & Rel. in Early Am.
Gibbs
Tu
5:00 – 7:40 PM
The course is an introduction to some of the historical literature on colonial America, with a focus on the interactions
between different peoples – Native Americans, Africans, and Europeans – in colonial America and on the how issues of
race, gender, and religion intersected and served to shape the development of early American society, culture and
identities. The literature on the social history of early America is vast, and we will be exploring just a few areas: Native
American/European Encounters, weeks 2-3; witchcraft and gender in New England weeks 4-7; Chesapeake patriarchy and
slavery, weeks 8-11; slave culture, slave resistance, and the lives of slave women, weeks 12-13; religion and gender, weeks
14-15. We will be reading works on these topics from different historiographical traditions and with different
interpretations. Our focus will thus be twofold: individual works as examples of historiographical traditions and
methodological approaches, and how these works treat questions of race, gender, and religion in the making of colonial
America.
AML 3415 U01-C
95112
Am Lit: Rehearsing Feminism
Hoder- Salmon
Tu Th 2:00 – 3:15 PM
“Dissent”, as we will examine the idea of dissent in this course, is an ever-present social construct in regard to class, race
and gender inequities. The books we will study by women authors writing from the 1880s to 1915 encompass a particular
period that ranges from the Civil-War era to the first decade of the twentieth century. During this era American women’s
activism began to exert influence, thereby altering society as women gained public and private rights. Our writers engage
dissent both on the domestic stage and the world beyond home; in both settings women’s rebellion takes the form of
subtle, but no less daring dissent. To accompany the stories and novels we will read an anthology of diverse documents
that reveal women’s experiences of the time, to provide historical background on gender issues. Prerequisites of ENC
1101 and ENC 1102.
AML 4606 U01-C
87970
19th Cent. African Am. Literature
Russell
Tu Th 2:00 – 3:15 PM
This course examines the genre of the slave narrative and examines testimonies of enslavement, survival and resistance
written from the perspectives of New World African enslaved persons. The course foregrounds gender as a category of
analysis, and examines the ways in which gender shapes the lives, experiences and perspectives of the enslaved persons
whose narratives are examined. Additionally, the course explores recurrent motifs, tropes, and other literary elements
that constitute the construction of the slave narrative tradition. Prerequisites of ENC 1101 and ENC 1102.
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Women’s Studies|Fall 2009 Course Offerings
AML 4624 U01-C
87358
African American Women Writers
Staff
TBA
TBA
A study of the writings of African American women. May be repeated with change of content. Prerequisites: ENC 1101
and ENC 1102.
ARH 3873C U01-C 96221
Women in Latin American Art
Damian
Tu Th
3:30 – 4:45 PM
ARH 5874C U01-C 96215
Introduces women in Latin American art from its Pre-Columbian beginnings through the 20th century. Emphasis will be on
painting and sculpture of the 20th century.
CCJ 3666 U01-C
94206
Victimology
Cohn
Th
11:00 – 1:40 PM
A comprehensive study of victimization, including the relationship between the victims and offenders, and their
interaction with the criminal justice system. Considerable amount of time discussing victims of spousal and sexual abuse.
CCJ 4663 U01-C
95148
Women, Crime & Crim. Justice
Vincent-Robinson M
2:00 -4:40 PM
Women as deviants, criminals, victims, and professionals in the criminal justice system.
FRW 4583 U01-C
94942
Women Writers in French
Becel
Tu Th
9:30 – 1:45 AM
FRW 5934 U01-C
94849
This course examines different narrative forms (novel, short story, autobiography, “chant-roman”) in the works of women
writers from the Caribbean, continental France, and West Africa. It explores topics such as the poetics of silence and
rebellion; mother/daughter relations; narration and origi/nation; gender, race, and exile; intersections of sexual, cultural,
racial, and class/caste difference in the experiences of men and women.
FIL 4881 U01-C
94968
Hispanic Culture: Women & Film
Roca
Th
11:00 – 1:45 AM
Images and roles of Hispanic women in Latin America, Spain and the United States. Discussion, analysis, and writing.
Course aims to enhance students understanding of women in Hispanic culture through films and readings.
LIT 4931 U01-C
95075
Special Topics in Women’s Lit.
Luszczynska
Tu Th 12:30 – 1:45 PM
An examination of different aspects of literature by women. Topic: Contemporary U.S. Latina Literature
LAH 4932 U01-C
89770
Latin Am. Hist.: Women & Religion Bidegain
Tu
5:00 – 7:40 PM
Women and Religion is divided into three parts; the first examines the new archeological findings on neolithic goddess
religion, the second examines the roles of women in contemporary religions of the world, and the third surveys ecological
activities by women's religious movements.
PHM 4123 U01-C
85358
Philosophy of Feminism
Beer
Tu Th 6:25 – 7:40 PM
The past twenty years have witnessed a blossoming of feminist philosophy, with roots in the feminist movement and in
traditional academic philosophy. Feminist philosophy seeks to critically examine the assumptions underlying the ideals
and institutions which oppress women. Since feminist philosophy is a philosophy of liberation, it also seeks to understand
racism, heterosexism, and class oppression. In this course we will examine the nature of oppression in terms of the
external barriers that our society imposes upon oppressed groups, and in terms of the ways in which members of
oppressed groups, particularly women, have internalized their oppression. The nature of women’s oppression will be
analyzed on the basis of a variety of different approaches and perspectives, including the following: liberal feminism,
radical feminism, and socialist feminism. The difficulties confronting feminist theorizing and cultural diversity will also be
examined in this course.
POT 4309 U01-C
95241
Sex, Power, & Politics
Stiehm
Tu Th 7:50 – 9:05 PM
Theories are examined that explain differences between women's and men's power in the political arena. Their internal
consistency and fit with reality are also explored.
REL 4382 U01-C
94825
Latin Am Women & Religion in Am Bidegain
Tu
5:00 – 7:40 PM
Examines Latinas' participation in the history of religions in the Americas in order to explain the impact of women's
religious experiences in cultural, social and political realms.
REL 5386 U01-C
94881
Latinas Religious Experience
Bidegain
Tu
5:00 – 9:05 PM
Focus on the diversity of religious experiences among women born and educated in Latin cultures such as: Brazil, Haiti and
Hispanic Americans, including Hispanics in the U.S.
REL 4937 U01-C
83258
Gender, Nature, & Religion
Bauman
Tu Th
2:00 – 3:15 PM
This course will explore the relationships between “gender,” religious traditions and concepts of “nature.” On the one
hand, the history of feminist reflection upon religion and the environment (also known as eco-feminism) has developed
from essentialist constructions of “gender” and “nature” toward that of ecological and social constructions of “gender”
and “nature.” Furthermore, these critiques have highlighted the continued relationship between social oppressions (such
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Women’s Studies|Fall 2009 Course Offerings
as sexism, racism, and classism) and ecological degradation. On the other hand, concepts of both “religion” and “nature”
continue to serve as foundations for gender, race, and other forms of discrimination. Toward that end, we will examine a
variety of positions (geographically, politically, and religiously) that attempt to “queer” concepts of gender, nature, and
religion.
SOP 4774 U01-C
87690
Female Sexuality
Coffman
MWF 9:00 – 9:50 AM
This course will explore the psychobiological and behavioral aspects of women's sexuality, including: anatomy, sexual
functioning, pregnancy/childbirth, sexual orientation, sexual variations, sexual assault/abuse, and relationships.
SYG 4060 U01-C
88444
Sociology of Sexuality
Lavender
MWF
1:00 – 1:50 PM
Sociological research will be utilized to compare sexuality for different gender, age, religious, ethnic, and other categories.
Topics include marital sexuality, heterosexuality, bisexuality, homosexuality, pornography, prostitution, rape, and incest.
BISCAYNE BAY CAMPUS
WST 3641 B51-C
89410
Gay & Lesbian Across Societies
Owles
MW
6:25 – 7:40 PM
This course provides an interdisciplinary introduction to gay and lesbian studies by examining the complex issues and
debates in American society regarding sexual orientation. An examination of both historical antecedents and the
contemporary gay rights movement will include such topics as religion, lifestyles, legal and political issues, and influences
on arts and literature.
AML 4624 B51-C
95090
African American Women Writers Weir
Tu Th
11:00 - 12:15 PM
A study of the writings of African American women. May be repeated with change of content. Prerequisites: ENC 1101
and ENC 1102.
ENL 3261 B51-C
95096
19th C British Women Novelists
Rochelson
Tu Th
5:00 – 6:15 PM
Examines fiction written by women in the 19th century, including classical realist, gothic, sensation, working-class, and
New Woman novels. Authors include Austen, Eliot, Bronte, and Gaskell. Prerequisites: ENC 1101 and ENC 1102.
ENL 4273 B51-C
95099
Modern British Literature
Rochelson
Tu Th
5:00 – 6:15 PM
This course focuses on the literature of the 20th Century, limiting itself to British writers, but including the various genres
of the modern and post modern periods. Significant gender-related content and works of women writers. Prerequisites:
ENC 1101 and ENC 1102.
LIT 4536 B51-C
95454
Multi-Cult Wom. Work. Class Lit
Weir
Tu Th
2:00 – 3:15 PM
Does racialized discourses subsume class and/or gender issues or are they inextricably linked? Using a comparative
approach, this course will examine issues of class, race and gender in contemporary Women’s fiction. Emphasis will be
placed on popular representations of working class women and men across racial lines, and representations of race, class
and gender in the literature written by both American and immigrant women.
REL 3171 B51-C
83108
Sex & Religion
Livini
MWF
12:00 – 12:50 PM
A critical examination and attitudes on issues on sexuality within the world’s religions. Special but not exclusive emphasis
on western religions.
SOP 3742 B51-C
85868
Psychology of Women
Stephens
Tu Th
9:30 – 10:45 AM
This course offers an overview of psychological theory and research relevant to women in contemporary society. General
issues to be considered include the historical treatment of women in psychology, psychoanalytical, socio-biological, social
psychological, and developmental perspectives on the behavior of women and men. In addition, specific topics such as
female sexuality, psychopathology, and sex differences in nonverbal behavior will be covered.
BROWARD PINES CENTER
REL 3145 P80-C
87208
Women & Religion
Rowan
W
6:25 – 9:05 PM
Women and Religion is divided into three parts; the first examines the new archeological findings on neolithic goddess
religion, the second examines the roles of women in contemporary religions of the world, and the third surveys ecological
activities by women's religious movements.
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Women’s Studies|Fall 2009 Course Offerings
ONLINE COURSES
WST 3015 RVC-C
87074
Intro. to Women’s Studies
Kai
This course is designed to introduce students to women's studies as an interdisciplinary field of knowledge. The purpose
of the course is to involve students in the on-going dialogue of women's experiences and women's socialization by sex,
class, color, and culture, as well as the economics of discrimination. The course will assist students in clarifying the many
misconceptions surrounding the discipline and the myths and realities regarding women's status in society. Topics of
discussion include: Connections between women’s studies and feminism; questions of identity and socialization process in
determining gender roles; diversity: class, race, ethnicity, age, and sexual orientation; religion and the status of women in
societies; our bodies, ourselves; women and work; women and education. Some of the questions addressed in women’s
studies include: Why study women? Are women powerless or powerful? Why are racism, heterosexism, ageism, and class
exploitation considered to be women’s studies issues? How can feminist thought be used in transformative ways?
ECS 3254 RVC-C
88304
Women, Men, & Work in USA
Alonso
This course analyzes the performance of women in comparison to men in the U.S. labor market. Using census data,
special attention is paid to gender differences in occupations and earnings. The human capital model, labor market
discrimination, changing work roles and the family, and government policies affecting paid work and the family are
considered. To access your course go to http://online.fiu.edu; additional $199 fee for this online course. This online course
may require an on campus midterm/final.
ECS 3021 RVC-C
87748
Women, Culture & Econ. Dev.
Alonso
This course will use the “capabilities” approach in analyzing the problems of women’s quality of life in developing
countries. It is important to recognize that the measurement of output per capita is not the only indicator of the quality
of life. The purpose is to identify a number of distinct components of women’s quality of life, including life expentancy,
maternal mortality, access to education, access to employment opportunities, and exercise of political rights, and how
these indicators are affected by culture. Additional $199 fee for this online course. Please call Economics, 305-348-2318 or
305 348 3281 for permission number. This online course may require an on campus midterm/final.
MAN 4102 RVC-C 90012
Managing Diversity
Kleban
Examines how workforce diversity can lead to competitive advantage and ethical, fair-minded decision making. Includes
topics of gender, race, ethnicity, and other areas of diversity. Covers perception and stereotyping, sexual harassment, the
“glass ceiling,” and legal issues.
REL 3145 RVC-C
95869
Women & Religion
Maarif
Women and Religion is divided into three parts; the first examines the new archeological findings on neolithic goddess
religion, the second examines the roles of women in contemporary religions of the world, and the third surveys ecological
activities by women's religious movements.
REL 3162 RVC-C
96493
Healers & Mediums
Pfeiffer
A look into the occult through the eyes of healers and mediums. This course deals with the origination of shamanism and
its worldwide patterns. PSI, paranormal psychic phenomena will be addressed from the 20th century spiritualists and their
developments that include ESP, psycho kinesis (PK), past-life regressions: reincarnation, near-death-experiences, out-ofbody experiences, plant therapy, and animal healing. Hand's on healing with a visit from a spiritual guide and a channeler
will be included. Discussions will revolve around today's academic settings where universities and centers are developing
to study paranormal phenomena. There is a concentration on women as healers: Eileen Garrett in the US, movements in
Latin/South America, and Virginia H. Adair's interviews with 40 women in psychic phenomena.
REL 3171 RVC-C
95870
Sex & Religion
Maarif
A critical examination and attitudes on issues on sexuality within the world’s religions. Special but not exclusive emphasis
on western religions.
SOP 3742 RVC-C
87060
Psychology of Women
Stephens
This course offers an overview of psychological theory and research relevant to women in contemporary society. General
issues to be considered include the historical treatment of women in psychology, psychoanalytical, socio-biological, social
psychological, and developmental perspectives on the behavior of women and men. In addition, specific topics such as
female sexuality, psychopathology, and sex differences in nonverbal behavior will be covered. To access your course go to
http://online.fiu.edu; additional $199 fee for this online course.
SOP 4774 RVC-C
96449
Female Sexuality
Carlucci
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Women’s Studies|Fall 2009 Course Offerings
This course will explore the psychobiological and behavioral aspects of women's sexuality, including: anatomy, sexual
functioning, pregnancy/childbirth, sexual orientation, sexual variations, sexual assault/abuse, and relationships. To access
your course go to http://online.fiu.edu; additional $199 fee for this online course. This online course may require an on
campus midterm/final.
SPC 3711 RVC-C
96517
Gender & Communication
Brown
Men and women form vastly different identities and communication styles, even if they are raised in the same homes,
educated in the same schools and live in the same country. This is because there are “invisible rules of communication”
that are unique to each gender. These “rules” are known to all adult members of that gender, but because men and
women behave according to two separate sets of rules about what is appropriate, communication mishaps can occur.
This course will look at principal concepts and issues that define the fields of gender and communication. Areas of study
include gendered verbal and nonverbal communication, gendered communication in practice including family dynamics,
friendship, romance and stereotypes in the workplace.
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