Degree Requirements for the Major in Women's Studies
General Program B.A.: A minimum of 36 credits
distributed as follows. A course may not be
used to fulfill more than one requirement:
- 6 credits introductory course requirement.
Select 2 of the following: A Wss 101 or 101Z,
A Wss 220M or A Wss 220G, or A Wss 240.
- 3 credits women in historical perspective
requirement. One history of women or history
of feminism course selected from among A Wss
260, A Wss 440, A His 256, A His 293, or
other history course when approved.
- 3 credits women in a global,
international, or cross-cultural context
requirement. Select at least one from among
A Wss 308, A Wss330 or 330Z, A Wss 381 or
381Z, A Wss 451, or other course when
approved.
- 3 credits feminist theory requirement.
A Wss 360 is required of all members of the
Women's Studies Teaching Internship. All
other majors select at least one from A Wss
360, A Wss 465, A Wss 466, A Wss 498, or
other course when approved.
- 8 credits feminist research. Two-semester
sequence, usually taken during the fall and
spring of the senior year: A Wss 490Z, and
A Wss 492.
- 13 credits of electives, at least 9 or
more credits at the 300 level or above, to be
selected from Women's Studies courses, cross-
listed courses, or courses listed in other
departments and approved by the Women's
Studies Department.
Courses
A Wss 101 Introduction to Feminisms (3)
General Education: HD
The origins and development of feminist
thought, with emphasis on the political,
social, and economic conditions of
contemporary women's lives in the United
States and abroad. Emphasis on student
exploration of issues that confront women and
men across the range of their differences in
race, class and sexual orientation, and that
produce multiple orientations to feminism.
Based on a pedagogy of peer-learning; co-
facilitated by undergraduate members of the
Women's Studies Teaching Internship working
under the supervision of Women's Studies
faculty and graduate students from related
departments. A Wss 101Z is the writing
intensive version of A Wss 101; only one may
be taken for credit.
A Wss 101Z Introduction to Feminisms (3)
General Education: HD & WI
A Wss 101Z is the writing intensive version
of A Wss 101; only one may be taken for
credit.
A Wss 106 U.S. Women Who Changed Our World (3)
General Education: HD
American women have a long history of great
achievements despite social constraints based
on gender, racial-ethnic heritage, social
class, sexual preference, age, and ableness.
This course introduces students to U.S. women
whose lives and work have had a significant
impact on our world. With the women's own
words through documentary videos and primary
and secondary sources, students will connect
women from our past to today's women in
politics, sports, medicine, the law, music,
art, literature, social activism, education,
science, architecture, or journalism. May not
be offered during 1999-2000.
A Wss 109N Women, Biology and Health (3)
General Education: NS
This introduction to an integrated approach
to women's biology analyzes biological and
social influences affecting women's physical
and mental health. Attention is given to
similarities and differences in biology and
health across gender, racial/ethnic, and
class groupings. Intended for freshmen and
sophomores.
A Wss 171L (= A Rus 171L) Women in Russian Culture (3)
General Education: CHP & HA
The course will examine the roles of women in
Russian culture through a study of film,
literary works by and about women. Only one
of A Rus 171L & A Wss 171L may be taken for
credit. May not be offered during 1999-2000.
A Wss 190 (= A Rus 190) Women Writers in Russian Literature (3)
The course examines Russian women's writings
beginning with the 18th century to the
present. The texts are studies in the context
of Russian literature in general and women's
writings in particular. It includes:
autobiographies by Catherine the Great,
Alexandra Durova and Nadezda Mandelshtam;
prose works by Karolina Pavlovana, Elena
Guro, Tatjana Tolstaia, and the plays by
Liudmila Petrushevskaia. May not be offered
during 1999-2000.
A Wss 202 Introduction to Lesbian and Gay Studies (3)
General Education: HD
Topics may include the history of lesbian and
gay culture(s) in the U.S., lesbian and gay
civil rights movements, questions of sexual
identity formation in historical and cultural
contexts, lesbian and gay literature, and how
these communities have responded to societal
issues such as racism, classism, sexism,
healthcare crises, and anti-gay violence.
A Wss 202Z is the writing intensive version
of A Wss 202; only one may be taken for
credit.
A Wss 202Z Introduction to Lesbian and Gay Studies (3)
General Education: HD & WI
A Wss 202Z is the writing intensive version
of A Wss 202; only one may be taken for
credit.
A Wss 217L (= A Mus 217L) Women and Music (3)
General Education: HA
An examination of the contributions of women
in music through a historical survey of
Western art music and a brief survey of
popular and non-Western musics. Works by
women composers as well as other phases of
women's activities as musicians will be
studied. Live performances and interviews
will be arranged when possible. May not be
offered during 1999-2000.
A Wss 220M Perspectives on Women (3)
General Education: SS
Multidisciplinary, introductory study of
women in the context of feminism theory.
Includes a survey of how women are defined
and studied in various disciplines, such as
anthropology, art, history, literature,
philosophy, political science, sociology, and
the sciences. Encourages students to reflect
on the nature of interdisciplinary research.
Only one of A Wss 220M & 220G may be taken
for credit.
A Wss 220G Perspectives on Women (3)
General Education: SS & WI
A Wss 220G is the writing intensive version
of A Wss 220M; only one of A Wss 220M & 220G
may be taken for credit.
A Wss 240 (= A Aas 240 & A Lcs 240) Classism, Racism and Sexism: Issues (3)
General Education: HD
Analyzes the connections between and among
classism, racism and sexism, their mutually
reinforcing nature, and the tensions arising
from their interrelations. Particular
attention will be given to the ideological
and personal aspects of these phenomena, as
well as to their institutional guises in
American society. A Wss 240Z is the writing
intensive version of A Wss 240; only one of
A Wss 240/240Z, A Aas 240, & A Lcs 240 may be
taken for credit.
A Wss 240Z Classism, Racism and Sexism: Issues (3)
General Education: HD & WI
A Wss 240Z is writing intensive version of
A Wss 240; only one of A Wss 240/240Z, A Aas
240, & A Lcs 240 may be taken for credit.
A Wss 248 (= A Jst 248) Women in Jewish Life and Literature (3)
General Education: CHP
Examines the various roles of women and
diverse ways they have been represented in
Jewish life and literature from the biblical
period through the 20th century. Texts will
include biblical passages, talmudic
legislation and interpretation, medieval
documents, early modern memoirs, and modern
letters, poetry and fiction. Only one of
A Wss 248 & A Jst 248 may be taken for
credit.
A Wss 260 History of Women and Social Change (3)
General Education: CHP
With an emphasis on the diversity of U.S.
women, this course examines the social,
historical, and economic forces that have
shaped U.S. women's lives from about 1800-
1970 and the contexts within which women have
participated in and sometimes led social and
political movements.
A Wss 262M (= A Soc 262M) Sociology of Gender (3)
General Education: HD & SS
Culturally defined sex roles; their origins
and their implications for individuals and
society. Only one of A Wss 262M & A Soc 262M
may be taken for credit. Prerequisite(s):
A Soc 115M or permission of instructor.
A Wss 270 (= A Eas 270) Women in East Asian Literature (3)
General Education: CHP
Female persona in East Asian literature will
be examined in relation to their cultural
background as well as the genres in which
they appear. Women as rulers and lovers; as
goddesses and prostitutes; exemplars and
shrews. Conducted in English; no knowledge of
the East Asian languages or cultures is
required. Only one of A Eas 270 & A Wss 270
may be taken for credit.
A Wss 280 Society's Nightmare: Images of Gender, Race, and Class in Horror Fiction (3)
Horror fiction and film are among the most
popular genres, as well as the most powerful
and disturbing, in American cultural life.
Stephen King, Anne Rice, and others have
risen to success by creating finely-crafted
expressions of the nightmare of the inner
lives of their readers. This course explores
what 20th century horror fiction and films
tell us about the inner life of the century.
May not be offered during 1999-2000.
A Wss 281 Constructed Image: Women and the Media (3)
This course will focus on the widespread and
insidious influence the media has over
constructing women's images of Self and
Other. We will discuss the ways in which
sexuality is constructed and how it
intersects with issues of race, class,
gender, and heterosexism in the media,
specifically television and film images. May
not be offered during 1999-2000.
A Wss 299 Topics in Women's Studies (3)
Consideration of topics or issues in women's
studies. May be taken more than once if
content varies. Consult semester schedules
for specific topics and prerequisites.
A Wss 308 Global Perspectives on Women (3)
General Education: CHP
The course addresses women's issues in the
local context of women's movements in several
regions and countries around the world as
articulated by feminist scholars within those
countries, with some attention to the
relationship between U.S. women and global
feminist struggles. Interdisciplinary
readings, including fiction and feminist
theory, bring the perspective of gender to
global/international political and economic
structures. Prerequisite: junior or senior
class standing.
A Wss 310 Current Issues in Feminism (4)
In-depth study of issues central to
contemporary feminism, with special emphasis
on group process, self-motivated learning and
social change through education. For students
who wish to prepare to co-facilitate A Wss
101 or 101Z as members of the Women's Studies
Teaching Internship. Must be taken
concurrently with (or within 3 semesters
after) A Wss 360. Prerequisite(s): A Wss 101
or 101Z, and permission of Chair of Women's
Studies. S/U graded.
A Wss 311Z (= A Clc 310Z) Women in Antiquity (3)
General Education: CHP & WI
The literary, historical and archaeological
evidence concerning the lives and roles of
women in Greek and Roman society. Only one of
A Wss 311Z & A Clc 310Z may be taken for
credit. Prerequisite(s): junior or senior
class standing.
A Wss 320 Feminist Pedagogy in Theory (3)
Continuation of A Wss 310 for students who
are members of the Women's Studies Teaching
Internship. Theory is discussed in the
context of students serving as facilitators
in sections of A Wss 101 and 101Z. Students
work under supervision in a collaborative,
collective mode of shared responsibility and
leadership. Taken concurrently with A Wss
322. Prerequisite(s): A Wss 310 and 360, and
permission of chair.
A Wss 322 Feminist Pedagogy in Practice (3)
With preparation from A Wss 310 and,
concurrently A Wss 320, students serve as
facilitators in sections of A Wss 101 and
101Z under faculty supervision. This course
can only be taken once for credit.
Prerequisite(s): A Wss 310 and 360, and
permission of Chair of Women's Studies.
A Wss 330 Gender, Class and Community in Modern China (3)
This course analyzes the meanings of gender,
class, and community in the Chinese cultural
context. Within this project the following
are given particular attention: family and
kinship systems, landlord-tenant relations,
the marketing community, urban-rural
tensions, and lives of peasants and women
under socialism. May not be offered during
1999-2000.
A Wss 333 (= R Pos 333) Women and the Law (3)
The various specific ways in which the law
affects women by discriminating on the basis
of sex and of the relationship between law
and social norms regarding sex roles. Only
one of A Wss 333 & R Pos 333 may be taken for
credit. Prerequisite(s): R Pos 101M and
junior or senior class standing, or
permission of instructor. May not be offered
during 1999-2000.
A Wss 344 (= A Soc 344) Sociology of Women in the Political Economy (3)
The different economic roles women play. The
socio-historical determinants of these roles
and their implications for the individual and
society. A Soc 344Z & A Wss 344Z are the
writing intensive versions of A Soc 344 &
A Wss 344; only one of the four courses may
be taken for credit. Prerequisite(s): A Soc
115M or permission of instructor.
A Wss 344Z (= A Soc 344Z) Sociology of Women in the Political Economy (3)
General Education: WI
A Soc 344Z & A Wss 344Z are the writing
intensive versions of A Soc 344 & A Wss 344;
only one of the four courses may be taken for
credit. Prerequisite(s): A Soc 115M or
permission of instructor. May not be offered
during 1999-2000.
A Wss 350 (= A Phi 350) Philosophy and Feminism (3)
Examination of the theories of the oppression
of women and proposals for solutions.
Particular attention will be paid to
existentialism, biological determinism,
Marxism and feminist psychology and
epistemology. Only one of A Wss 350 & A Phi
350 may be taken for credit. Prerequisite(s):
one course in philosophy or women's studies.
A Wss 352 Virginia Woolf (3)
Students in this course will study the
experimental form and content of the major
works of Woolf, concentrating on her fiction,
but focusing on some more of her important
nonfictional essays as well. Issues around
Woolf's aestheticism and feminism will be
central. This course is cross-listed with
A Eng 352 when the topic is Virginia Woolf.
May not be offered during 1999-2000.
A Wss 354 Woolf and Lessing (3)
This course will investigate form and content
in the works of these two British writers. It
will also consider the extent to which their
being women influences and shapes the
concerns and works of each. Particular
emphasis will thus be given to the woman both
as writer and as character in fiction, but
general aesthetic, social, political issues
relevant to the twentieth century novel and
artist will be discussed as well. This course
is cross-listed with A Eng 354 when the topic
is Woolf and Lessing. May not be offered
during 1999-2000.
A Wss 360 Feminist Social and Political Thought (3)
Study of the sources of contemporary feminist
thought and the directions feminism has taken
since the sixties. Contemporary feminism
analyzed both as a historical movement and as
a body of political theory. Particular
attention will be paid to diversity within
feminist theory and its differences with
traditional political theory.
Prerequisite(s): A Wss 101 or 101Z or 220M or
220G or R Pos 101M or permission of
instructor.
A Wss 362L (= A Eng 362L) Critical Approaches to Women in Literature (3)
General Education: HA
An examination of the relations among gender,
text, and literary style. Course analyzes
different images of women in texts, the
relationship of these images to the form and
content of the works studied, and the
connections between individual works and
cultural or critical history. Intended
primarily for juniors and seniors. Only one
of A Wss 362L & A Eng 362L may be taken for
credit. Prerequisite(s): a 100-level English
literature course or permission of
instructor.
A Wss 365 (= A Ant 365) The Anthropology of New Reproductive Technologies (3)
A cross-cultural perspective on how new
reproductive technologies (including invitro-fertilization,
surrogacy, ultrasound,
prenatal screening for disability, sex
selection, fetal surgery, and neonatal
intensive care) are transforming the
experience of procreation and challenging
cultural notions of kinship, personhood, and
what it means to be human. Prerequisite(s): 3
credits in anthropology, philosophy, or
women's studies.
A Wss 366 (= Eng A 366) Minority Women Writers (3)
A study of the literature of a given
subculture and the ways in which factors such
as age, sex, class, and race are presented in
literature. The course focuses also on the
relationship of minority works to cultural
and critical history, on the effects of
writing outside the cultural mainstream, and
on the questions of technique, voice, and
tradition for minority women writers.
Intended primarily for juniors and seniors.
Cross-listed only when the course focuses on
women writers of a subculture. May be
repeated for credit once when content varies.
Prerequisite(s): a 100-level English
literature course or permission of
instructor.
A Wss 368L (= A Eng 368L) Women Writers (3)
General Education: HA
Selected works of English and/or American
women writers in the context of the literary
and cultural conditions confronting them. The
course focuses on the development of a female
tradition in literature and on the narrative,
poetic, and/or dramatic styles of expression,
voice, and values of women writers. May be
repeated for credit with change in topic.
Prerequisite(s): a 100-level English
literature course or permission of the
instructor.
A Wss 381 (= A Ant 381) Anthropology of Gender (3)
Cross-cultural analysis of gender roles.
Focuses on non-Western societies, using data
from other societies to better understand the
gender system of our own culture. Issues
include status of women and men, the meaning
of "femaleness" and "maleness", and women and
health care systems. A Ant 381Z & A Wss 381Z
are the writing intensive versions of A Ant
381 & A Wss 381; only one of the four courses
may be taken for credit. Prerequisite(s): one
course in anthropology or sociology.
A Wss 381Z (= A Ant 381Z) Anthropology of Gender (3)
General Education: WI
A Ant 381Z & A Wss 381Z are the writing
intensive versions of A Ant 381 & A Wss 381;
only one of the four courses may be taken for
credit. Prerequisite(s): one course in
anthropology or sociology.
A Wss 397 Independent Study (1-4)
Study by a student in an area of special
interest not treated in courses currently
offered. Work performed under direction of a
professor chosen by the student on a topic
approved by the program. May be repeated with
approval. Prerequisite(s): permission of the
Chair of the Women's Studies Department.
A Wss 399 Topics in Women's Studies (1-3)
Consideration of topics or issues in women's
studies selected on the basis of faculty and
student interest. May be taken more than once
with different content. Consult fall and
spring schedule of classes for specific
topics and prerequisites.
A Wss 401 Women, Science and Technology (3)
This seminar will examine the rich and
problematic relationship between women and
science/technology. Drawing on the new
scholarship about women in the sciences in
this country, we will investigate the
changing status and activities of women over
the past two centuries and the consequences
for the sciences and technology. A Wss 401Z
is the writing intensive version of A Wss
401; only one may be taken for credit. May
not be offered during 1999-2000.
A Wss 401Z Women, Science and Technology (3)
General Education: WI
A Wss 401Z is the writing intensive version
of Wss 401; only one may be taken for credit.
May not be offered during 1999-2000.
A Wss 416 (= A Aas 416) Contemporary Black Women and Their Fiction (3)
Evaluation of the style, technique, content,
and nature of the discourse in which
contemporary Black women writers are engaged.
Readings include at least one work by Toni
Cade Bambara, Gloria Naylor, Toni Morrison,
Paule Marshall, Gayle Jones, and Alice
Walker. Only one of A Wss 416 & A Aas 416 may
be taken for credit. Prerequisite(s): senior
class standing, at least one literature
course, and permission of instructor. May not
be offered during 1999-2000.
A Wss 433 (= R Pos 433) Women, Politics and Power (3)
Examines the role of women within American
society; identifies the systematic factors
that have contributed to women's
sociopolitical exclusion; investigates
selected contemporary ideologies that posit a
redefinition of the power relationships
within society as the primary political
objective. R Pos 433Z & A Wss 433Z are the
writing intensive versions of R Pos 433 &
A Wss 433; only one of the four courses may
be taken for credit. Prerequisite(s): R Pos
101M or permission of instructor. May not be
offered during 1999-2000.
A Wss 433Z (= R Pos 433Z) Women, Politics and Power (3)
General Education: WI
R Pos 433Z & A Wss 433Z are the writing
intensive versions of R Pos 433 & A Wss 433;
only one of the four courses may be taken for
credit. Prerequisite(s): R Pos 101M or
permission of instructor. May not be offered
during 1999-2000.
A Wss 440 (= A Aas 440 and A His 440) Black Women in United States History (3)
This seminar will examine the history of
black women in the United States from the
slave era through the post World War II
reform movements. It will focus upon the
range of demands black women faced during the
Gilded and Progressive eras-their
participation in the suffrage movement, black
struggles for liberation, cultural
expressions, labor force, etc. Only one of
A Wss 440, A Aas 440 and A His 440 may be
taken for credit.
A Wss 450 The Literature of Feminism: An Interdisciplinary Seminar (3)
Draws upon the entire body of writing
(fictional and nonfictional) that concerns
feminism. In different semesters, focuses on
different themes, periods, ideas, or issues
related to feminism. Combines readings,
lectures, seminar discussions, and research.
May be repeated for credit when topics
differ. Prerequisite(s): permission of
instructor.
A Wss 451 (= A Lcs 451) Gender & Class in Latin American Development (3)
The study of the interplay of cultural,
ideological, and structural factors affecting
women's lives during the course of Latin
America's growing industrialization, from the
perspective of gender and class analysis. The
topics covered are: household work, paid
work, migration, growth of female headed
households, and women's political
participation. Prerequisite(s): any course in
Latin American Studies and/or Women's
Studies. Only one of A Wss 451 & A Lcs 451
may be taken for credit. May not be offered
during 1999-2000.
A Wss 465 Feminist Theory (3)
The course will examine key changes in
feminist theory from the late 1960's to the
present. It will assess changes in the way
feminists have thought about such topics as:
motherhood, sexuality, the origin and nature
of women's oppression, class, race, and
differences among women. Attention will be
given to the political implications of
changes in theory. Prerequisite(s): A Wss
360, or R Pos 313, or A Wss 490Z, or
permission of instructor. May not be offered
during 1999-2000.
A Wss 475 (= A Arh 475; formerly A Wss 455) Women in Art (3)
Survey of women artists from 1550 to the
present, including Artemesia Gentileschi,
Elizabeth Vigee-Lebrun, Mary Cassatt, Alice
Neel. Also includes a feminist analysis of
images of women in art since the Renaissance.
A Arh 475Z & A Wss 475Z are the writing
intensive versions of A Arh 475 & A Wss 475;
only one of the four courses may be taken for
credit. Prerequisite(s): A Arh 171L and
junior or senior class standing, or
permission of instructor. May not be offered
during 1999-2000.
A Wss 475Z (= A Arh 475Z; formerly A Wss 455Z) Women in Art (3)
General Education: WI
A Arh 475Z & A Wss 475Z are the writing
intensive versions of A Arh 475 & A Wss 475;
only one of the four courses may be taken for
credit. Prerequisite(s): A Arh 171L and
junior or senior class standing, or
permission of instructor. May not be offered
during 1999-2000.
A Wss 490Z Research Seminar in Women's Studies (4)
General Education: WI
Seminar in the theory and practice of women's
studies research to examine what
distinguishes women's studies from other
disciplines; the relationship between
feminist research and community/political
activism; how feminist research is changing
the traditional disciplines and the methods
used in research. Prerequisite(s): senior
standing or permission of instructor.
A Wss 492 Feminist Research in Action (4)
Sequel to A Wss 490Z. Students apply theory
to a semester-long internship, research or
creative arts project. Investigation of
feminist scholarship and contributions that
feminist learning make to the larger
community. Students interested in internships
should contact instructor during fall
semester to make arrangements.
Prerequisite(s): A Wss 490Z.
A Wss 498 Topics in Women's Studies (3)
Considers topics or issues in women's studies
selected on the basis of faculty and student
interest. May be repeated with different
content. Consult fall and spring schedule of
classes for specific topics and
prerequisites.
