WGSS - Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies

WGSS 120D  Why Diversity Matters: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

An interdisciplinary examination of the ways that social diversity can be important and valuable to a variety of institutional and professional contexts as well as obstacles to, and potential strategies for, increasing diversity within communities.

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  1. Demonstrate an analytical and critical understanding of how and why diversity can be important and valuable for contemporary institutions and practices.
  2. Identify the challenges that certain professions (STEM, Business, Engineering, and Medicine) face in achieving diverse and inclusive workforces and environments.
  3. Apply vocabularies and perspectives for approaching questions and problems concerning diversity within complex historical and contemporary intersections of culture and power.
  4. Employ theoretical concepts for understanding racism, racism, classism, sexism, heterosexism, and other discriminatory “isms” and their functions in socioeconomic structures, institutions, political ideologies, social systems, and everyday life.
  5. Explain theoretical understandings of diversity studies and social justice, particularly in regard to systems of oppression and how they might be challenged.
  6. Formulate effective, persuasive, critical skills for written and performative modes of communication.
  7. Demonstrate improved literacy and skills to engage effectively with diverse identities, modes of belonging, and ways of knowing in the contemporary world. ;

WGSS 201IH  Intro to Feminist Theories: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

Major directions in feminist scholarship. Examination of the various schools of thought which have addressed gender inequities, and review of the strategies of cultural criticism which incorporate gender. -.

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  1. Students will understand the theoretical background and methodological framework of feminist theory.
  2. Students will understand gender as an analytical tool and apply feminist theory and feminist methodology to historical, literary, cultural, and visual texts.

WGSS 301RH  Integrative Seminar in Women's Studies: 3 Credits (3 Other)

PREREQUISITE: WGSS 201IH or consent of instructor. Max 9 cr. The seminar builds on the theoretical issues in women's studies and addresses special topics each year from a variety of disciplines
Repeatable up to 9 credits.

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Increase the ability to apply feminist theories and methodologies to a variety of topics.
  2. Understand the similarities and differences between feminist methodologies as well as between feminist and non-feminist methodologies
  3. Employ gender, race, class, and sexual orientations as categories of analysis in research.
  4. Develop original and sustained in-depth research projects.
  5. Clearly express ideas in writing and oral presentations
  6. Successfully use research databases and provide citations of sources

WGSS 378  LGBTQ Studies: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: Sophomore standing or consent of instructor. Examines issues, questions, and interdisciplinary approaches that characterize the field of lesbian/gay/bisexual/trans/queer (LGBTQ) studies. It explores the formation of LGBTQ politics and cultures in the United States; theories of sexual and gender diversity; and sexuality and sexual identity as key categories for understanding knowledge and the self

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Identify and critically analyze key concepts and themes in interdisciplinary field of LGBTQ and some of the major works of queer theory
  2. Develop an understanding of queer theories and methods for critiquing the production and regulation of bodies, identities, knowledges, practices, and desires, and be able to apply that approach in their writing.
  3. Articulate and assess the forms of institutional inequalities and structural oppressions affecting sexual minorities as well as some of the key ways in which LGBTQ individuals and communities have resisted such inequalities and forms of oppression.
  4. Understand historical and theoretical relations between feminist, gender, and queer theory
  5. Develop a theoretical vocabulary and framework to approach questions and problems concerning gender and sexuality and their imbricated connections with questions of race and class
  6. Enrich ability to synthesize and critically evaluate complex theoretical arguments
  7. Develop analytical writing and presentation skills

WGSS 454  The Study of Men & Masculinity: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITES: WGSS 201 or PSYX 101 or 230 or 235 or 335 or SOCI 101
This course explores masculine gender role socialization and its impact on individuals/society, with emphasis on men’s development and mental health. Systems of patriarchy, privilege, and oppression and their impact on men, women, and society are also discussed.
WGSS/US/Department of Counselling Psychological Services.

WGSS 491  LGBTQ Studies: 3 Credits (1 Lec, 2 Other)

PREREQUISITE: Sophomore standing or consent of instructor Examines issues, questions, and interdisciplinary approaches that characterize the field of lesbian/gay/bisexual/trans/queer (LGBTQ) studies. It explores the formation of LGBTQ politics and cultures in the United States; theories of sexual and gender diversity; and sexuality and sexual identity as key categories for understanding knowledge and the self

View Course Outcomes:

  1. Identify and critically analyze key concepts and themes in interdisciplinary field of LGBTQ and some of the major works of queer theory
  2. Develop an understanding of queer theories and methods for critiquing the production and regulation of bodies, identities, knowledges, practices, and desires, and be able to apply that approach in their writing.
  3. Articulate and assess the forms of institutional inequalities and structural oppressions affecting sexual minorities as well as some of the key ways in which LGBTQ individuals and communities have resisted such inequalities and forms of oppression.
  4. Understand historical and theoretical relations between feminist, gender, and queer theory
  5. Develop a theoretical vocabulary and framework to approach questions and problems concerning gender and sexuality and their imbricated connections with questions of race and class
  6. Enrich ability to synthesize and critically evaluate complex theoretical arguments
  7. Develop analytical writing and presentation skills
  8. Identify and critically analyze key concepts and themes in interdisciplinary field of LGBTQ and some of the major works of queer theory
  9. Develop an understanding of queer theories and methods for critiquing the production and regulation of bodies, identities, knowledges, practices, and desires, and be able to apply that approach in their writing.
  10. Articulate and assess the forms of institutional inequalities and structural oppressions affecting sexual minorities as well as some of the key ways in which LGBTQ individuals and communities have resisted such inequalities and forms of oppression.
  11. Understand historical and theoretical relations between feminist, gender, and queer theory
  12. Develop a theoretical vocabulary and framework to approach questions and problems concerning gender and sexuality and their imbricated connections with questions of race and class
  13. Enrich ability to synthesize and critically evaluate complex theoretical arguments
  14. Develop analytical writing and presentation skills

WGSS 492  Independent Study: 1-3 Credits (1-3 Other)

PREREQUISITE: Junior standing, consent of instructor, and approval of the Director of University Studies. Directed study on an individual basis. -
Repeatable up to 6 credits.

WGSS 494  Seminar: 3 Credits (3 Other)

PREREQUISITE: Junior standing and as determined for each offering. Timely and applied topics drawing on expert feminist voices from the field. Topics at the upper division level that are not covered in regular courses. Students prepare and present discussion material, read original research, and hear presentations by guest speakers