All courses are 3 credits unless otherwise noted.

Required Course

WMS 210: Introduction to Women’s Studies (3)
An introduction to the study of women from an interdisciplinary perspective. Through readings, participation at extracurricular events, presentations, and other assignments, students will examine the status of women from a variety of historical, economic, cultural, and theoretical perspectives and trace the development of organized women’s social movements. May be team-taught.

Core Courses: (6 hours)

ANT 303: Anthropology of Gender (3)
A study of gender roles in traditional cultures, an analysis of historical, ideological, economic, and social systems of traditional cultures as influenced by gender.

ENG 230: Women in Literature (3)
Twentieth-Century literature by and about women. Focuses on changes in images and roles of women. May include fiction, poetry, drama, and non-fiction.

HST 237: Women in Modern America (3)
Survey of the female experience from the mid-nineteenth century to the present. A focus on three areas which affect the lives of modern women: work, politics, and sexuality. Differences between the first and second women’s movement, the sexual revolutions of the 1920’s and 1960’s, and the changing nature of women’s work in modern and post-modern society are explored in a comparative context.

PAR 225: Women and Religion (3)
Images, expectations, and experiences of women in the history of religions. Topics include the importance o of gender to the study of religion, women’s real or perceived power (or lack of it) within the major classical traditions, and alternative women’s religious groups and ideas appearing since the 1970’s.

SOC 350: Gender and Society (3)
Focus on gender in social life. Theoretical explanations of gender differentiation, with an emphasis on socialization, stratification, family, work, education, politics, and social change.

Electives: (9 Hours)

CLA 330: Women in Ancient Greece and Rome (3)
A review of women in ancient Greece and Rome through documentary, artistic, and literary source with an emphasis on economy, community, medical issues, slavery, religion, construction of gender roles, and images of heroines in literature and the arts.

CRJ 315: Victimology (3)
Role of victims in crime and criminal justice system. Special focus on sexual battery, battered women, and child abuse.

ENG 373: Female Tradition in Literature (3)
Study of gender issues, themes, and character portrayal in literature by women, as well as consideration of the innovations in which female authors both follow and challenge literary conventions.

HEA 205: Reproduction and Sexuality (3)
Emphasizes the anatomy and physiology of reproduction, conception, prenatal growth and parturition, as well as relevant issues pertaining to human sexuality, childbearing, and sexual diseases.

HST 330: Women in America (3)
An examination of American women and women’s roles from the colonial period to the mid-nineteenth century.

HST 383: Womanhood and Gender in the Modern Middle East (3)
Historical survey of the roles of women in the Middle East and the many interpretations of those roles. Topics may include the European fascination with the harem and the veil; women and the nation-state; women in revolutionary contexts; women and labor; women and veiling. While the primary emphasis is on Arab and Muslim women, Arab Christians and Israeli women are also examined.

PLS 316: Women and Politics (3)
Introduction to political perspectives on sex role differentiation. Among the topics t o be discussed will be political socialization of women in ancient and modern society; women’s roles in politics and government; political consequences of women’s entry into the work force; and contemporary issues in the women’s movement. Emphasis will be placed throughout on comparative political analysis.

PSY 265: Human Sexual Behavior (3)
Psychological aspects of human sexuality with emphasis on psychosexual development and behavior. Includes discussion of causative factors and treatment of sexual disorders and deviations.

PSY 366: Psychology of Marriage and Family (3)
Personality development within the marriage and family including recent theoretical and empirical findings on courtship, interpersonal attraction, marriage contract, and the various stages of the family life cycle. Communication, familial function and dysfunction are emphasized.

SOC 345: Sociology of the Family (3)
Origin and development of the family as a social institution from an historical and comparative approach; analysis of forms and functions of the family; socialization, mate selection, and procreation.

SOC 349. Sociology of Children and Childhood (3)
Prerequisite: SOC 105. Sociological theory and methods related to children and childhood from infancy to early adolescence. Topics include the social construction of childhood; child development and socialization; race, class, and gender in childhood; and social problems affecting children.

SOC 418: Women and Aging (3)
Prerequisite: At least junior standing and either SOC 336 or consent of instructor. Examines women's experience of old age and the aging process. Specific emphasis on family, medical and economic institutions.

SWK 311. Child Abuse and Neglect (3)
Prerequisite: SWK 235. Study of the knowledge base, laws, and professional roles associated with contemporary child welfare practice. Identification of child maltreatment, reporting procedures and community-based interdisciplinary practice issues are emphasized.

SWK 417. Constructing Masculinities: from Boyhood to Manhood (3) Prerequisite: SOC 105 or consent of instructor. Impact of biological, psychological, and social/cultural influences on male development, the construction of multiple masculinities and the consequent impact on men’s lives, their families, and society. Discussion of implications for social work practice and social policy.

WMS 491. Directed Independent Study (1-3)
Prerequisite: Overall minimum GPA of 2.00, enrolled as WMS minor and consent of instructor, WMS coordinator and dean. Involves investigation under faculty supervision beyond what is offered in existing courses. For further information, consult the Directed Individual Studies section in this catalogue. May not be repeated for credit.

WMS 495. Seminar in Women’s Studies (3)
Prerequisite: WMS 210 and 6 additional hours of courses in the WMS minor or permission of instructor. Intensive interdisciplinary study of a topic or theme in women’s studies, such as women and sports, women in art history, or feminist theory.

WMS 498. Internship in Women's Studies (3)
Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing; minimum of 12 hours in women studies or consent of coordinator. Practical experience through a program of work and study within an agency or other setting related to the student's principal area of interest. Area of concentration, requirements, and means of evaluation to be defined in consultation with supervising faculty.