Requirements & Courses

Studies of a rich and varied selection of classic and contemporary works from the humanities and social sciences centered on women’s images, realities and choices. Interdisciplinary survey of women’s contributions, concerns, perspectives and theories. Diversity of class, ethnicity, race and sexual orientation addressed from feminist perspectives which counterbalance traditional biases.

Studies of historical and contemporary works examining feminist theoretical approaches to explaining experiences, representations and relative positions of women in society. Overview of American feminist thought which includes the varieties of liberal, cultural, Freudian, socialist, existential and radical feminism. Also considers the theoretical contributions of women of color, postmodernists and poststructuralists.

Specific topics concerning gender issues, choices, realities and self-expression chosen by the instructor. This course is variable credit and may have offerings from 2-4 credits. May be repeated for credit with no more than four credits counted toward the minor.

Internship designed to provide on-site personal and service-oriented learning and experiences in a wide variety of areas related to women’s studies, issues and concerns. Practicums must be taken through a relevant department, with permission of the women’s studies coordinator and the department chair. This course is variable credit and may have offerings from 2-4 credits.

In-depth study in the student’s major area as related to the Women’s Studies minor; under faculty member’s direction. This course is variable credit and may have offerings from 2-4 credits.

Explores the relationships among identity, power and culture. Students learn how to become advocates through the use of Everyday Life Performance and other performance techniques, engaging in perspective taking and service learning with marginalized groups.

Studies in the literature of women from its beginnings in Julian of Norwich through Bradstreet and Woolf to the present. Includes historically and internationally diverse authors in a variety of genres.

Introductory survey and examination of problems and issues in American women’s history and American feminism, colonial era to the present. Emphasizes gender, race and class as categories of historical analysis. (ESPITH)

Examination of the experiences of immigrants and their transformation into ethnic Americans during the 19th and 20th centuries. Discussion of what it means to be American and the diversity of American society in a historical perspective. (ESPI/GP)

Introductory study of the modern history of China and Japan. Examines the dynamic developments of political, social, economic and cultural changes, including relations with the West, from 1800 to the present. (ESPI/GP)

Introduction to human nutrition including identification, function and food sources of required nutrients. Application of principles of normal nutrition to special issues (e.g., physical performance, obesity, pathology.) Course fee.

Investigation of stressors in the work, social and self environments. The physiology of stress and deep relaxation techniques studied as an introduction to life style redesign.

Study of leadership and administration in public organization, including relationship between bureaucracy and the executive, judicial and legislative branches; development of organizational theory; policy-making and implementation process; bureaucratic ethics; and reconciliation of democracy and bureaucracy. Recommended for those considering careers in public service or jobs affected by public policy. (APP)

Explores American political thought from the founding to the present. Key themes considered include majority rule and minority rights, participatory versus elite theories of democracy, the tensions between democracy, freedom and equality, and civil disobedience. (THE)

This course addresses questions about women in various religious traditions and examines the ways feminist theory interacts with the study and practice of religion.

Examine key concepts, main theories and important substantive issues related to aging and health institutions from a sociological perspective. Among the central issues explored are gender and racial differences in aging, ethnic minorities and institutions connected to aging and public policy.