Women's Studies Courses

Course Descriptions

The Women's Studies Program always offers new and special topics courses as well as courses affiliated with other academic departments. To give you a better idea of what is available, here is a list of detailed Spring 2008 Summer 2008 and Fall 2008 course descriptions.

General University Information

Women's Studies courses that fulfill a Columbian School general curriculum requirement.

For recent updates to schedule, room locations or CRNS visit the online University Schedule of Courses

See the University Bulletin for descriptions of courses regularly offered in the graduate and undergraduate programs.

Selected Syllabi for WSTU Courses are available on the individual COURSES pages for each semester.

Undergraduate:

WSTU 120--Introduction to Women's Studies [*NOTE: This course is sometimes offered as Distance Education, see sample syllabus.] A multidisciplinary examination of historical conditions, cultural norms, and social institutions that define women's status in Western culture. Experiences pf girls and women in various racial--ethnic, class, and age groups. Alternative visions for women's (and, by implication, men's) roles and status.

WSTU 121--Anthropology of Gender: Cross-Cultural Perspectives. Anthropological representations of gender relations in "other" cultures have provided important case material for feminist theorizing of sex differences and gender roles and statuses. How a cross-cultural approach can inform our understanding of gender.

WSTU 125--Varieties of Feminist Theory. Undergraduate feminist theory course.

WSTU (AMST/HIST) 130--Sexuality in US History. Professor Heap. Examination of the changing social organization and meaning of sexual practices and desires in American culture, with particular attention to the relationship between sexuality and gendered, racial and class identities and politics.

WSTU 140--Women in the United States: Late 19th Century to the Present. Professor Cynthia Harrison.

WSTU 150 (REL 118). Women & Judaism. Professor Berner and Staff. Focus on feminist theological perspectives and Jewish women’s spirituality as reflected in personal writings, ritual, liturgy, and midrash. Includes exploration of Jewish women’s history and legal status.

WSTU (PSYC) 152 --Women & Psychology. Professor Zucker. In this class we will study psychology of women from a variety of perspectives (e.g., biological, cultural, social constructivist). We will examine the ways in which mainstream psychology is gendered, as well as various feminist approaches to studying issues of gender in psychology.

WSTU (REL) 181--Women in Western Religion. Professor Pemberton. Historical, theological, and ethical investigation of the image and role of women in Islam, Judaism and Christianity; special consideration of the Biblical experience, the sexual qualifications for religious office, use of male and female images and languages, and contemporary issues.

WSTU 199--Senior Seminar. Professor Deitch or Lynch. For students completing a major or minor in women's studies. Writing of contemporary scholars and writers whose work provides critical frameworks for feminist scholarship and research. Individual or collaborative research projects are presented and submitted as written papers.

Graduate:

WSTU 220--Fundamentals of Feminist Theory. Examines some major Western political and social theories of the past two centuries to see how they explained and proposed to end women's inequalities with men.

WSTU 221--Research Issues in Women's Studies. Professor Cynthia Deitch. Familiarizes students with a variety of research methods for giving voice to women's experiences.

WSTU 230--Global Feminisms Staff. The individuals, groups and policies which shape global agenda for women; local and international fora in which global feminisms are forged; multi-media presentation.

WSTU 240--Women and Public Policy. Professor Cynthia Harrison. Provides gender analyses of specific policy issues such as reproductive rights, social welfare policies, child and dependent care, and violence against women issues.

WSTU 265--Women, Welfare and Poverty. Deitch, Harrison. Examination of how the causes and consequences of poverty differ for women and men; how race, class and gender shape policy responses to poverty. The history of family assistance policy in the U.S., and the impact of various welfare reform efforts.

WSTU (SOC) 266--Gender and Criminal Justice. Professor Buntman. This seminar examines theories, practices, and understandings of how gender shapes crime, justice and violence in the U.S. and internationally. Topics include how sex and gender shape criminology, legal system treatment of crimes and criminals, punishment, victimization, and criminal justice professions.

WSTU (SOC) 268--Race, Gender, and Class. Professors Kennelly, Deitch. Examines how social structures are constructed through race, gender, and class, and how these shape experience. Analysis of the intersections of race, gender, and class in education, science, politics, labor markets, and social welfare policies.

WSTU 275--Women and Health. Professor Zucker. By reading theoretical and empirical analyses of women’s health, we will address: how women’s health is constructed by medical, psychological, and critical theorists; how sexism, racism, and classism contribute to women’s health problems; and what conditions lead to optimal health and well-being.

WSTU 183/283--The Practicum in Women's Studies. Professor Cynthia Deitch. Provides students with professional level internships in organizations in the Washington, DC area. Undergraduate seniors may take the course with instructor approval. More information is available on the practicum webpage.