Women's and Gender Studies (WGS)

Assistant Professor J. O’Reilly (Women’s and Gender Studies Coordinating Committee: Professors Bush, Hogan, Wahlstrom; Associate Professor Bradie; and Assistant Professor O’Reilly)

Self-defining as a “woman” or a “man” affects nearly every aspect of an individual’s life.

A minor in Women’s and Gender Studies will challange students to examine critically the ordinarily unexamined gendered aspects of their identity. Through in-class discussion and presentations and out-of-class readings and assignments, students in Women’s and Gender Studies courses will consider how gender affects their perceptions of themselves and others, as well as how gender intersects with other aspects of identity, including race/ethnicity, sexuality, and class, and how gender operates within systems of power. Such a consideration of gender and its effects will benefit students in both their personal and professional lives, as exposure to gender theories will increase awareness of and sensitivity toward societal issues such as domestic violence, health and reproductive rights, religion and spirituality, and family values and workplace issues such as discrimination, sexual harassment, affirmative action, salary discrepancies, and unfair hiring practices.

Minor in Women’s and Gender Studies: (21 hrs.): Select WGS 100, 300, 400; HIS 386; ANT 200

Allied Courses: Select 6 hours from the following: ENG 307, PSY 309, NDI 112, 340, or other courses as approved by the coordinator of the Women’s and Gender Studies minor.

100. Introduction to Women’s and Gender Studies (3 sem. hrs.). Interdisciplinary approach to the study of gender and its intersections with ethnicity, class, and sexuality. Topics will include the social construction of gender, privilege and inequality, health and reproductive rights, family values, and gender dynamics in the
workplace. (Spring only)

300. Topics in Women’s and Gender Studies (3 sem. hrs.). Study of selected topics in women’s and gender studies. Topics offered will concern areas not commonly stressed in regular courses. Prerequisite: WGS 100 or permission of instructor. (Spring of odd-even years)

400. Gender Theory (3 sem. hrs.). An overview of major authors and works in feminist, masculinity, and queer theories. Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing and WGS 100 or permission of instructor. (Spring of even-odd years)