Letters in parentheses indicate how the class fills a distribution requirement in the WST General Concentration (SS=Social Science, HUM=Humanities, G&S=Gender & Science) and/or whether it counts for the Health Equity and Social Justice (HESJ), International Perspectives on Gender (IPG), or Theories and Politics of Sexuality (TPS ) tracks in the major. If a course fills a Gen Ed requirement, that is specified separately. Click on the hyperlinks below for a course syllabus.
Majors may count any one approved 2000-level class towards the WMS major. Minors may count one course as well. However, only WST 2322, 2611, 2612, and selected sections of IDS 2935 count towards the WMS minor; only WST 2611 or 2612, and selected sections of IDS 2935 count towards the TPS minor.
Introduction to Health Disparities
Examination of the multifaceted issue of health disparities based upon race and ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, education, sexuality, disability, physical and mental health, geography and other factors. Related issues include social determinants of health, cultural competency, health literacy, advocacy, social justice and health equity. (S and D)(WST: SS/G&S, HESJ; GenEd: S, D; HDS Minor: Core.)
WST 2322 – Sec 2322 – Class # 17356
The syllabus for this course can be found here.
WST 2322 – Sec 23DL – Class #26997 (Online)
WST 2322 – Sec 2UFO – Class #26998 (Online)
The syllabus for this course can be found here.
Humanities Perspectives on Gender and Sexuality
WST 2611 – Section 2611 – Class # 17357
Close readings of cultural representations (in literature, the visual arts, movies, television, the Internet, etc.) facilitates the understanding of intersecting categories of identity such as gender, sexuality, class and race. Examines how such categories operate in everything from novels to YouTube to the evening news (WST: HUM; TPS; Gen Ed: H, D; Gordon Rule 2000)
The syllabus can be found here.
Social Science Perspectives on Gender and Sexuality
WST 2612 – Section 2612 – Class # 29268
The social construction of gender, sexuality, race, class and other identity categories. Readings focus on individuals, families and cultural groups, mainly in the U.S. but with attention to other nations. Subjects as intimate as the body and violence and as pervasive as politics and the law are included. The course emphasizes differences in daily life experiences of health care, education, sports and religion. Finally, it examines the potential of movements for social change. (WST: SS; TPS; Gen Ed: SS, D, Gordon Rule 2000)
The syllabus can be found here.
Interdisciplinary Perspectives in Women’s Studies
Drawing on materials and methodologies from a variety of disciplines, this class explores the diverse experiences of women, both in past eras and in the present, in the U.S. and abroad. Required for the Women’s Studies major and minor; fulfills the General Education requirement in diversity. (WST: Core; Gen Ed: H, SS, D and Gordon Rule 4000)
WST 3015, Section 15JH – Class #25542
The syllabus can be found here.
WST 3015 – Section 3015- Class #21058
The syllabus can be found here.
Women, Leadership, and Diversity in the Global Environment
WST 3371– Section 1ROL – Class #29880 (Online)
WST 3371– Section 2UFO – Class #29884 (Online)
Examines leadership concepts in general, and for women in particular. Covers leadership strategies in a historical framework, leadership dilemmas in various industries (locally and globally), and experiential and case-study based leadership.(WST: SS; IPG) Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or instructor permission.
The syllabus can be found here.
Transnational Feminism
WST3415, Section 3415, Class # 16963
This course places women and feminism in a transnational perspective, focusing on various theories and movements engendered by women in contemporary national contexts. Development, reproductive politics, women’s health, etc. will be examined. (WST: Core, IPG; Gen Ed: S, N)
The syllabus can be found here.
History Of American Medicine: Race, Class, Gender, Science
WST3703– Section 3610 – Class # 27628
Overview of the development of the medical profession in the US with attention to ways that class, gender, and race have shaped the idea of “scientific medicine.” Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or departmental permission. (WST: SS/HUM, HESJ)
The syllabus can be found here.
Special Interdisciplinary Topics in Women’s Studies
Variable topics from different fields of study in gender/ women’s studies based on a feminist approach. Topics can include gender issues in education, women’s autobiography and women’s health issues.
TOPIC: Slavery and Black Girlhood
WST3930, Section 39CT, Class 30444
The syllabus can be found here.
Ecofeminism
WST4349– Section 4349 – Class # 18585
This course introduces students to a holistic framework for understanding the connections between environmental, feminist and social justice issues. This course critically analyzes positions within ecofeminist theory. Prereq: Sophomore standing (WST: SS/HUM, 4000 words)
The syllabus can be found here.
Gender, Culture, Place
WST4630– Section 4630, Class # 30441 (Online)
WST4630– Section 46UO, Class # 30442 (Online- UFO)
How are the experiences of gender and sexuality configured by geography, location, and the built environment? How do gender relations and sexual practices define and give meaning to space and place? Explore these questions through an interdisciplinary consideration of the gendered relationships that unfold in significant spaces and places in the US and the world. (WST: SS/HUM)
The syllabus can be found here.
Discrimination and Health
WST 4704– Section 4704, Class # 30178
Examines discrimination and health from a variety of perspectives. Explores links of discrimination experiences with health behaviors and outcomes, discrimination in healthcare settings, and routes to improving health at individual, group, and legislative levels. Addresses multiple forms of discrimination (e.g., race, sex, class, sexual orientation/gender identity) and their intersections.. PreReq: PSY 2012 or any WST course or junior standing or highter (WST: SS/G&S, TPS, HESJ )
The syllabus can be found here.
Independent Study
WST 4905 -Section Departmentally Controlled; Variable Credits 1-3; Can be repeated up to 6 credits
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor and undergraduate coordinator
For advanced undergraduate students who desire to supplement the regular courses by independent reading or research. Online Application (PDF) .
Undergraduate Research in Women’s Studies
WST4911-Section Departmentally Controlled
Prerequisite: Permission of Undergraduate Coordinator. For advanced undergraduate students who desire to supplement the regular courses by independent reading or research. Click here for an application form.
Special Topics
Lectures and seminars covering selected topics of current interest in women’s studies and/or gender studies. Prerequisite: instructor permission.
TOPIC: Black Hair Politics
WST4930 – Section 49HP- Class # 30775
(WST: SS/HUM )
TOPIC: Conflict, Gender, and Data
WST4930 – Section 49LG- Class # 29639
(WST: SS/G&S )
The syllabus can be found here.
TOPIC: Feminist Political Thought
WST4930 – Section 49SL- Class # 29640
(WST: HUM/SS )
The syllabus can be found here.
TOPIC: Professional Pathways (1 credit)
WST4930 – Section 49PP- Class # 30167
(WST: HUM/SS/G&S )
The syllabus can be found here.
TOPIC: Women and Politics
WST4930 – Section 49TC- Class # 30452
(WST: SS/G&S,)
The syllabus can be found here.
Capstone Seminar
WST4935 – Section 4CAP- Class # 21092
This course, required for all majors, is the culmination of the Women’s Studies major. It explores some examples of past and present scholarship to reaffirm the interdisciplinary nature of the field and to highlight the relationships among feminist theory, intellectual practice, and social change. The bulk of the semester is devoted to a full-length independent project on a topic of student’s own choosing. (WST: Core for all specializations in major; pre-req: WST 3015)
The syllabus can be found here.
Internship
WST 4940 – Department Controlled
Variable Credits 1-3; Can be repeated up to 6 credits
Prerequisite: Permission of undergraduate coordinator. Designed for students desiring practical experience in the community. Students intern with a local agency, group or business involved in women’s issues. Click here for more information and an online application.
The syllabus can be found here.
Practicum in Health Disparities
WST 4941C – Section Departmentally Controlled
WST 4941C is a capstone experience for seniors who have taken WST2322,, Introduction to Health Disparities in Society. Students are matched with preceptors from community agencies working with under-served and disadvantaged populations. Students will learn about the agency and its organizational culture while applying concepts of cultural competence, linguistic appropriateness and health disparities. Prerequisite: WST 2322 and Health Disparities in Society minor. Contact Dr. Cinnamon Williams for more information. If you have a practicum site arranged, you can apply for the class here. (HDS Minor: Core; Pre-req: WST 2322).
The syllabus can be found here.
Women’s/Gender Honors Thesis
Alyssa Zucker
WST 4970- Section Departmentally Controlled – Variable Credits
Students register for this course when pursuing an Honors Thesis in the WST major. In accordance with the protocols established by WST and the Honors Program, students design and pursue an independent research project with guidance from an advisor.Prerequisite: WST 4935 and Women’s Studies major. Guidelines for the Honors Thesis are available here and the Application for the Honors Thesis is here (PDF).