WGS (Women’s and Gender Studies)

WGS 101 Introduction to Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (4 hours)
This course is intended to develop an awareness of the social construction of gender—the ways in which it is shaped by relations of sex, race, class, religion, ethnicity, nationality, sexuality, sexual orientation, and other categories of difference—and the effects of this social construction on individuals and society. Prerequisites: None. Offered every fall semester.

WGS 125 Human Sexuality (4 hours)
In this course, students will learn about the biological, psychological and social aspects of sexuality. Students will also learn about methods used in the scientific study of sex, and will gain an understanding of the diversity of human sexuality across age, sexual orientation, ethnicity, and culture. Prerequisites: None. Offered every three years. Cross-listed as PSY-125.

WGS 200 Independent Study in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (1-4 hours)
This course provides the opportunity for an intense study of diverse topics under the direct supervision of the instructor. The student and instructor will collaborate to develop the content of the course, which must be approved as outlined by the Independent Study Policy. (Sec. 6.15.)

WGS 206 Sexualities and Society (4 hours)
The primary focus of this course is to examine the social construction and social control of sexuality. We will investigate trends in sexual attitudes and behaviors across the life course and how they are influenced by social interaction and social institutions. Topics will include sex research methods, representations of sexuality, sex education, sexual health and infection, sexual violence, and the commodification of sex. Prerequisite: WGS 101 or SOC 101. Offered alternate spring semesters. Cross-listed as SOC 206.

WGS 210 Feminist Philosophy (4 hours)
By and large, feminists argue for the equal dignity of women and against the oppression of women. But what does it mean to be a “woman”? What is “oppression”? What is the nature of the equality towards which feminists strive? And what conceptions of woman throughout the history of ideas—particularly throughout the philosophical tradition– ground not only the historical oppression of women but also the feminist fight against the oppression of women? In this course, we will examine works by some of the most influential thinkers in the history of Western philosophy. We will not only examine what these thinkers said about the nature of “woman” but also how these conceptions gave rise to oppressive treatment of women and inform the variety of divergent views that constitute the feminist movement. We will also examine a variety of texts by feminist philosophers and theorists with the aim of illuminating the multifaceted nature of the philosophical commitments of feminism and its response to the historical devaluation and oppression of women. The course contains three broad components: The Portrayal of Women in the Philosophical Tradition, Feminist Critiques of the Philosophical Tradition, and The Intersection of Feminist Philosophy and Various Types of Feminism–radical, socialist, liberal, multicultural, etc. Prerequisite: None. Offered alternate spring semesters. Cross-listed as PHI 210.

WGS 211 What’s Love Got to do with It? Philosophical Accounts of Friendship, Love and Sex (4 hours)
This course will serve to introduce students to the history of philosophy and to introduce students to questions about friendship, love, and sex that have occupied the majority of thinkers that make up the Western philosophical canon. The aim of the course is twofold: (1) to articulate each philosopher’s account of the nature of friendship, love, and sex and (2) to use this acquired knowledge to enhance one’s own thinking about friendship, love, and sex. Students will develop their aptitude for philosophical analysis and will deepen their understanding of the nature of these social relations as they appear not just in philosophical contexts but also in a broad range of other disciplines. Prerequisite: None. Offered alternate fall semesters. Cross-listed as PHI 211.

WGS 225 Women, Art, & Society: Women Artists (4 hours)
This course is a survey of women artists from prehistory to the present. Throughout the semester, we will examine women’s art and women artists to understand the circumstances that affected women’s access to art education, patronage, and exhibition opportunities. We will also discuss social, economic, intellectual, and political developments that have shaped women artists and their art. Prerequisites: COR 104 or WGS 101. Offered alternate fall semesters. Cross-listed as ART-225.

WGS 280 Gender, Culture, and Communication (4 hours)
This course investigates the relationships among gender, culture, and communication. Students will explore theoretical approaches to gender; the cultural histories of women’s, men’s and LGTBQIA movements; cultural views of gendered interaction, including discourse and relational styles as well as other performances; and the practices of gendered communication and identity in a variety of cultural and institutional contexts. Prerequisites: None. Offered every spring semester. Cross-listed as COM 280.

WGS 290 Special Topics in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (1-4 hours)
Courses of selected topics will be offered periodically as determined by the needs of the curriculum. Prerequisites can vary based on the topic selected. See individual course listings for each semester for the specific topic and any prerequisites.

WGS 312 Gender and Society (4 hours)
This course is an introduction to understanding gender in a sociological context. We will examine how gender as a social construct shapes societal structures, social institutions, and everyday experiences. The relationship of gender to other axes of identity, such as class, race and sexuality, will also be explored. Prerequisites: WGS 101 or SOC 101. Offered alternate spring semesters. Cross-listed as SOC 312.

WGS 350 Feminist Discourses and Criticism (4 hours)
Students will explore various feminist discourses and apply modes of feminist criticism to various speech acts. We will survey feminist rhetoric, social, and political theories, learning to read rhetorical texts from varied orientations. Recognizing the intersectionality in feminism, we will critically engage with Black, Western, queer, Asian, Chicana, and postcolonial feminist discourses. Prerequisites: WGS 101 or COM 105. Offered alternate fall semesters. Cross-listed as COM 350.

WGS 380 Feminist Media Studies (4 hours)
This course examines the portrayal of gender in the media, focusing specifically on radio, television, and film, and aims to encourage an understanding of the diversity of groups in society in relationship to identity and selfhood. Class will be conducted in lecture format with some in-class screenings and class discussion. Prerequisite: WGS 101, or COM 105 and COM 120. Offered alternate spring semesters. Cross-listed as COM 380.

WGS 400 Advanced Independent Study in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (1-4 hours)
This course provides the opportunity for an advanced, intense study of diverse topics under the direct supervision of the instructor. These offerings are generally suited for junior or senior students. The student and instructor will collaborate to develop the content of the course, which must be approved as outlined by the Independent Study Policy. (Sec. 6.15.)

WGS 460 Space, Place, and Public Memory (4 hours)
Students will explore the relationship between space, place, memory, and power from a rhetorical conception. Space can be understood as both a symbol of community identity and as a canvas for individuals to represent their identity. We will explore the ways people creatively use space in cities as narrative to share identity, history, and culture, and to contest marginalization. Prerequisites: COM 105 or WGS 101 or COR-104. Offered alternate spring semesters. Cross-listed as ART 460 and COM 460.

WGS 480 Persuasion and Social Movements (4 hours)
Students will be introduced to the role persuasion and performance play in social movement, assessing the rhetorical history of a social movement, and speaking for social change. Through advanced public speaking and research assignments, students will engage in communicating for public advocacy on a social issue of their own interest. Prerequisites: COM 105 and COM 110, or WGS 101. Offered alternate spring semesters. Cross-listed as COM 480.

WGS 490 Advanced Special Topics in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (1-4 hours)
Advanced courses of selected topics will be offered periodically as determined by the needs of the curriculum. These offerings are generally suited for junior or senior students. Prerequisites can vary based on the topic selected. See individual course listings for each semester for the specific topic and any prerequisites.

WGS 495 Internship in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (1-12 hours)
An internship designed to provide a formalized experiential learning opportunity to qualified students. The internship generally requires the student to have an application (which satisfies all internship requirements developed by the academic program that oversees the internship) and to obtain a faculty supervisor in the relevant field of study. All internships are graded on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis. Prerequisites are determined by the academic program overseeing the internship course.