Women's Studies Department   

Women’s Studies Department Course Offerings with Descriptions

Spring 2010

WMST 101, Introduction to Women’s Studies (satisfies social science and multicultural requirements): TR 1-2:15 p.m. Assoc. Prof. S. Charusheela, PhD, OR TR 10-11:15 Asst. Prof. Lynn Commella, PhD

An introduction to the history, theories, methods, and issues that constitute the field of Women’s Studies since its inception in the late 1960s. Beginning with an exploration of individual women’s experiences on the personal level, the course moves to consider diverse women’s issues locally, nationally, and globally. 3 credits.

WMST 113, Gender, Race, and Class (satisfies humanities or social science and multicultural requirements): large lecture taught by Asst. Prof. Anita Tijerina Revilla, PhD, T 1-2:50 p.m. with R 50-minute breakout discussion group OR one of 20+ other sections
Interdisciplinary, cross-cultural survey of the ways in which gender interacts with race, age, class, and sexuality to shape human consciousness and determine the social organization of human society. 3 credits.

WMST 301, Feminist Theory: M 1:00-3:45 p.m., Assoc. Prof. S. Charusheela, PhD,
American feminist thought in its diversity, examining the differences among liberal, radical, Marxist, socialist, psychoanalytic, and postmodern feminisms and the challenges to each posed by women of color. Prerequisite: WMST 113. 3 credits.

WMST 474/674, Gender, Sexuality and Consumer Culture: T 11:30-2:215 Asst. Prof. Lynn Comella, PhD
Explores theoretical and empirical approaches to consumer culture, with a focus on gender, sexuality, class, and consumption. Examines the rise of mass consumerism in American society, and the ways social participation, individual identities, subcultural communities, and political life are shaped through varied acts of consumption. Prerequisite: WMST 113. 3 credits.

WMST 477/677Critical Race Feminism: R 4-6:45 Asst. Prof. Anita Tijerina Revilla, PhD,
Overview of the intellectual traditions of various feminist theories put forward by women of color, and introduction to the field of critical race feminism. Topics to be discussed include race, ethnicity, gender, class, sexuality, language, immigration, and labor. Using lectures, class discussions/presentations, films, and writing assignments, we will explore the experiences and perspectives of feminist women of color. Prerequisite: WMST 101 or 113. 3 credits.

WMST 490/690, Special Topics: Intensive study of a major topic in women's studies. May be repeated to a maximum of twelve credits. Prerequisites: 490: WMST 113 or upper-division standing; 690: graduate standing. 3 credits.
  Bodies, Sex and Health W 1-3:45 Visiting Asst. Prof. Danielle Roth-Johnson, PhD.
  Women, Work and Money MW 10-11:15 Prof. Lois Helmbold, PhD.

WMST 497, Feminist Praxis M 1-3:45 p.m. Visiting Asst. Prof. Danielle Roth-Johnson, PhD.
Capstone course where majors complete a project embodying the principles of feminist praxis and synthesize knowledge of women’s studies, develop their own definition of feminist praxis, develop skills useful in post-undergraduate years, define a response to patriarchy, and develop alternative practices. Prerequisites: WMST 113, 301, and 302. 4 credits.

WMST 498, Internship in Women's Studies
Students interact in a work or social setting that presents issues related to women. Arranged in consultation with the chair of women's studies. Paperwork required for enrollment. May be repeated to a maximum of six credits. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing. 1-6 credits.

WMST 499, Independent Study
Independent study of special topics selected in consultation with the chair of women's studies. Paperwork required for enrollment. May be repeated to a maximum of six credits. Prerequisite: Consent of chair. 1-6 credits.

 WMST 710, Graduate Capstone Seminar: M 2:30-5:20 p.m., Prof. Lois Helmbold, PhD.
Capstone seminar provides opportunity for students to reflect critically on theories and methods of interdisciplinary women’s studies scholarship and apply them either to production of knowledge in the arts, humanities, social sciences, or natural sciences or to their practice as psychologists, social workers, nurses, librarians, teachers, and other working professionals. Prerequisites: WMST 701 and 702.

WMST 799, Independent Study
Independent study of special topics selected in consultation with the chair of women's studies. May be repeated to a maximum of six credits. Prerequisite: Consent of chair.

Cross-Listed Elective courses:

WMST 407/607 Communication Between the Sexes (Same as COM 407): TR 2:30-3:45 Erika Engstrom, PhD. Introduction to gender research in communication, studying ways in which language, interpersonal communication, the media, and various social institutions influence conceptions of gender. Prerequisite: Upper division standing. 3 credits.

WMST 428 Women and Crime (Same as CRJ 428): Jane Gauthier, PhD. Women as offenders and as processed through the criminal justice system; women as victims and the response of the criminal justice system and the community. Prerequisites: CRJ 270 and 301. 3 credits.

WMST 432B/632B History of American Women Since 1870 (Same as HIST 432B/632B):TR 11:30-12:45 Joanne Goodwin, PhD.  Women’s relationship to the economy and to political movements, changing ideals of womanhood, the demographic and sexual revolutions transforming family life and gender roles, and class, race, ethnic, and regional variations in female experience. Prerequisite: Six credits of history. 3 credits.

WMST 441B Gender & Renaissance Literature (Same as ENG 441B) Evelyn Gajowski, PhD. Study of gender and literature in the Renaissance.  Topics may vary.  Prerequisite: ENG 102. 3 credits.

WMST 449 Sex & Social Arrangements (Same as SOC 449) Barb Brents, PhD. Examination of human sexuality in social contexts. Emphasis on cross-cultural and historical comparisons with themes dealing with deviant sexuality, pornography, and homosexuality. Prerequisite: SOC 101 or 102 or WMST 113. 3 credits.

WMST 453 Gender and Society (Same as SOC 453) Shannon Monnat, PhD. Examines the micro-social and political aspects of gender, including socialization into gender roles, same-sex, and cross-sex communications, interactions, and long-term relationships.  Prerequisite: WMST 101 or 113. 3 credits.

WMST 454B - Gender and Modern American Literature (Same as ENG 454B.) Patrice Hollrah, PhD. Study of gender and literature in the American tradition.  Topics may vary. Prerequisite: ENG 102. 3 credits.