Course Descriptions

Course Information

Course Descriptions

The following are descriptions of the courses offered by the Women's Studies program, as well as other courses which fulfill requirements and electives for Women's Studies degrees and certificates from IPFW.


Biology

BIOL 250: Women and Biology

P: sophomore standing. For nonmajors. An examination of modern concepts in biology. The scientific method will be examined and feminist criticisms of science will be discussed. The topics of reproduction and development, heredity, and ecology will be used as focal points for an in-depth discussion of the conceptual framework of biology and feminist criticism thereof. Cannot be used for Group A or B elective for biology majors. Credit given for only one of the following: BIOL 100, BIOL 250, or BIOL N200.


Communications

COM 410: Gender Roles and Communication

P: 114. This course is designed to investigate the relationship between gender roles and communication; i.e., how gender roles are socially constructed, maintained, and enacted. The course also explores gender differences, similarities, and gender issues in personal and organizational contexts.

COM 422: Women, Men, and Media

P: 250 or permission of instructor. An examination of the processes by which gender is constructed in the mass communication media. Students will be asked to consider how the technical, economic, and political constraints and capabilities of the media construct images of gender for audiences.


Fine Arts

FINA A170: Women Artists/The Visual Arts

Study of major areas of visual arts in which women have played a substantial part as artists. Major emphasis on women as artists in relationship to the major movements of the time.

FINA A270: Women in the History of Art

An in-depth study of the lives and works of women artists from a single historical period (e.g., 1550–1750, 1750–1900, etc.). Emphasis on the relationships between the specific historical circumstances and women’s achievements in the arts. May be repeated with different topic for a maximum of 6 credits.

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History

AFRO A210: The Black Woman in America

A historical overview of the black woman’s role in American society, including family, social, and political relationships.


Organizational Leadership and Supervision

OLS 454: Gender and Diversity in Management

P: 252 or instructor permission; junior or senior class standing. The workforce of the future will represent multiple differences, including gender, race, culture, ethnicity, physical abilities, and age. Following this broad-based perspective of diversity, this course will focus on using knowledge of diversity to develop the leadership potential of individuals in organizations.


Philosophy

PHIL 305: Philosophical Theories of Feminism

This course focuses on an analysis of ancient, medieval, and contemporary philosophical theories of gender and the role that these theories play in current political structures. In addition to classical readings, current philosophical issues such as pornography, abortion, family values ideology, body and self-image, biological determinism, and racism in the context of historical ideologies are discussed.


Political Science

POLS Y324: Women and Politics

Analysis of women in contemporary political systems, domestic or foreign, with emphasis on political roles, participation, and public policy. Normative and/or empirical examination of how political systems affect women and the impact women have on the system. Topics vary semester to semester. May be repeated once for credit with a different topic.


Psychology

PSY 345: Psychology of Women

P: 120 (or equivalent). Theories and current research on the psychological nature of women and their roles in society, including topics such as sex differences and similarities, sex-role socialization, sex-role stereotyping, female sexuality, achievement motivation, role conflict, mental-health issues, feminist therapy, rape, menstruation, pregnancy, childbirth, motherhood, and topics of related interest.


Sociology

SOC S360: Topics in Social Policy

P: S161 and ENG W233 or SOC S260 (or equivalent), or consent of instructor. Specific topics announced each semester; examples include environmental affairs, urban problems, poverty, and population problems.

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Women's Studies

WOST W210: Introduction to Women’s Studies

An interdisciplinary introduction to women’s studies via readings from core discipline areas and presentation of methodological/ bibliographical tools for social science research on gender issues. Examines women’s historic and contemporary status legally, politically, and economically, as well as women’s struggle in identity, expression, sexuality, and lifestyle. Approved by Arts and Sciences for the Social and Behavioral Sciences distribution requirement. (fall, spring)

WOST W225: Gender, Sexuality, and Popular Culture

Examination of popular cultural “makings” of masculinity, femininity, and sexuality through typical representation of gender within fiction, theatre, cinema, radio, music, television, journalism, and other specular mass media. Analysis of developing international telecommunications “superhighway” and struggles to secure increased representation of women and of feminist perspectives within existing culture industries.

WOST W240: Topics in Feminism

Exploration of feminist scholarship on a specific topic of current interest, e.g., women and social activism, pornography, reproductive rights, lesbian and gay studies, gender in early education, contemporary women’s movement. Specific topics announced in the Schedule of Classes. Suitable for students without previous women’s studies courses. May be repeated with different topic for a maximum of 6 credits. Approved by Arts and Sciences for the Social and Behavioral Sciences distribution requirement.

WOST W301: International Perspectives on Women

P: W210 and sophomore, junior, or senior standing or consent of instructor. Feminist analysis of women’s legal, social, and economic status in two or more cultures other than those of the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe. Interdisciplinary approach. May be repeated once with a different topic. Approved by Arts and Sciences for the Cultural Studies (Non- Western Culture) requirement.

WOST W302: Topics in Women’s Studies

P: W210 or consent of instructor. Interdisciplinary approach to selected ideas, trends, and problems in women’s studies. Specific topics to be announced in the Schedule of Classes and the booklet Women’s Studies Course Offerings. May be repeated once when topic varies for a maximum of 6 credit hours.

WOST W304: Feminist Theories

P: W210 or instructor permission. Overview, in historical context, of feminist texts that analyze gender asymmetry in society. Intersections of gender with other differences and unequal distribution of power. In-depth study of key debates in Western feminism. Selected readings by influential non-Western feminists. Students complete a research project. Required for WOST majors.

WOST W340: Topics in Lesbian and Gay Culture

This course examines, through the study of literary and/or visual texts, aspects of lesbian and gay culture, with attention to the artistic value of the texts as well as their significance as cultural documents. May be repeated once when topic varies for a maximum of 6 credit hours.

WOST W400: Topics in Women’s Studies

P: junior or senior standing, 12 credits of women’s studies course work or permission of instructor. An interdisciplinary approach to selected ideas, trends, and problems in women’s studies. The capstone course focuses on issues and controversies in the new scholarship on women. Specific topics announced in Schedule of Classes.

WOST W480: Practicum in Women’s Studies

P: junior or senior class standing, 12 credits of women’s studies course work, and project approved by instructor; R: W210 (or equivalent). Directed study of aspects of policy related to women’s issues based upon field experience. Directed readings, practicum in social agency, papers, and analytical journal required. (fall, spring)

WOST W495: Readings and Research in Women’s Studies Class

P: consent of instructor and program director. Individual readings and research. May be repeated twice for credit with a different topic. (fall, spring)

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