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• Gender and Women's Studies is part of WMU's College of Arts and Sciences.

Major in Gender and Women's Studies

The Women's Studies coordinate major requires a minimum of twenty-four credit hours in the major to be taken in conjunction with another major. Course work in the major includes an interdisciplinary core consisting of an introductory course, intermediate courses focusing on research and theory, and concluding courses providing research possibilities and practical experience. Further course work is to be selected from the list of approved electives in consultation with the Women's Studies advisor.

Coordinate major (24 hours)

Required courses

WMS 2000 - Introduction to Women’s Studies - This interdisciplinary core course in Women's Studies provides analytical frameworks for the study of gender and gender-defining institutions, focusing on women in American society. Course emphasizes approaches that study the diversity and similarity of women's experience across class, racial and ethnic groups. Credits: 4 hours

and

At least one 3000-level course selected from the following:

WMS 3000 - Working Women, Past and Present - Analysis of the social significance of women's work in the United States. Emphasis is on the history of women's participation in the paid labor force, with consideration of women's changing role in the family and society. Credits: 3 hours

WMS 3200 - Women, Multiculturalism, and Social Change - This course focuses on the interrelationship of women, multiculturalism, and social change. The course pursues an interdisciplinary analysis of multicultural gender roles and change in social institutions, such as law, medicine, education, media, business, and politics. Study will consider gender, ethnicity, class, and cultural experience in the context of national and global forces. Credits: 3 hours

WMS 3500 - Psychological Perspectives on Gender - The course investigates the meanings of gender in diverse segments of American society. Study will focus on psychological and sociological perspectives on the formation of gender roles and characteristics. The course provides a theoretical and practical analysis of the behavior, thoughts, and feelings of men and women and examines the ways gender is structured through parental and institutional socialization. Credits: 3 hours

and

WMS 4010 - Foundations of Feminist Theory - An investigation of various texts which are historically significant in the development of feminist concepts and theories. Includes texts from the past as well as the present. Fulfills baccalaureate-level writing requirement. Credits: 3 hours

and

At least one 4000-level course resulting in an internship experience or a research project:

WMS 4400 – Internship/Research Project - Course offers an opportunity for the advanced student to apply theory and knowledge in Women's Studies to a professional or community project. Student will work under the supervision of a faculty advisor or a community sponsor. Opportunities available in areas such as television production, K-12 classroom presentations, and a variety of community organizations and agencies serving women and children. Credits: 3 hours

WMS 4980 - Independent Study - Individual study available to the advanced student by permission of faculty advisor with department approval of project application. Credits: 1 to 4 hours

and

Multicultural or Global Studies Requirement - At least one course in Multicultural or Global Studies should be selected from WMS core courses or the list of WMS Approved Electives at the 3000 or 4000-level. For example:

WMS 3200 - Women, Multiculturalism, and Social Change (see description above) Credits: 3 hours

PSCI 3460 - Women and Developing Countries - Women's socioeconomic and political role and status will be examined in relation to the impact of colonialism, forces of modernity, and developmental issues. Credits: 4 hours

***

The remaining 11 hours must be selected from the following WMS courses or the approved electives listed below:

WMS 1000 - Media and the Sexes - The course investigates how films, television, music videos and advertising present images of women and men to different audiences. Credits: 3 hours

WMS 3000 - Working Women, Past and Present (see description above) Credits: 3 hours

WMS 3200 - Women, Multiculturalism & Social Change (see description above) Credits: 3 hours

WMS 3300 - Gender Issues in Education - Various gender issues in education are studied from both an historical and a contemporary perspective. The course will analyze current research on self-esteem and gender inequities in education and seek solutions. Attention will be given to theoretical and pedagogical concerns and to development issues affecting students. Credits: 3 hours

WMS 3500 - Psych Perspectives on Gender (see description above) Credits: 3 hours

WMS 4100 - Special Topics - Variable topics in Women's Studies. May be repeated for credit when topic varies. Credits: 3 hours

WMS 4400 - Internship Seminar (see description above) Credits: 3 hours

WMS 4980 - Independent Study (see description above) Credits: 1 to 4 hours

WMS 5000 - Seminar in Women’s Studies - A seminar offering variable topics that focus on special problems or issues in Women's Studies. Emphasis will be placed on developing skills in research approaches and on writing a research paper integrating the student's disciplinary training with investigation of an interdisciplinary problem in Women's Studies. May be repeated for credit when topics vary. Credits: 3 hours

WMS 5500 - Contemporary Feminist Theory - An advanced course focusing on the analysis of American and European texts in feminist theory. The course will also consider the relation of these texts to other contemporary theoretical approaches.
Credits: 3 hours

WMS 5980 - Reading in Women’s Studies - Individual study project available to the advanced student by permission of faculty advisor with departmental approval of project application. Credits: 1 to 4 hours

Approved electives

AFS 3070 - Poetics & Politics of Gender in Islam - Credits: 4 hours

AFS 3100 - The Black Woman: Historical Perspective - Credits: 3 hours

AFS 3600 - Black Woman-Black Man Relationships - Credits: 3 hours

ANTH 3090 - Archeology of Inequality & Resistance - Credits: 3 hours

ANTH 3450 - Topics in Anthropology: Gender Issues* - May be repeated for credit with different topics. Credits: 3 hours *Topics courses must be approved by the Director of Gender and Women's Studies

ANTH 3600 - Sex, Gender, Culture - Credits: 3 hours

ANTH 5060 - Archeology of Gender - Credits: 3 hours

ANTH 5070 - Gender Theories - Credits: 3 hours

ANTH 5220 - Poverty, Power, and Privilege - . Credits: 3 hours

ANTH 5450 - Topics in Sociocultural Anthropology: Feminist Theory* - Topics will be announced each semester. (May be repeated for credit.) Credits: 3 hours *Topics courses must be approved by the Director of Gender and Women's Studies

ART 5210 - Topics in Art History: Women in Art* - Credits: 3 hours *Topics courses must be approved by the Director of Gender and Women's Studies

COM 3070 - Freedom of Expression - Credits: 3 hours

COM 4750 - Family Communication - Credits: 3 hours

COM 4790 - Female/Male Interaction (Also SOC 4790) - ECredits: 3 hours

ECON 3090 - Women and the Economy - Credits: 3 hours

ENGL 4100 - Special Topics in Literature* - Credits: 4 hours *Topics courses must be approved by the Director of Gender and Women's Studies

ENGL 4160 - Women in Literature - Credits: 4 hours

FCS 2050 - Topics in Consumer Res. & Technology: Women & Health* - Credits: 3 hours *Topics courses must be approved by the Director of Gender and Women's Studies

FCS 2100 - Intro to Human Sexuality - Credits: 3 hours

FCS 3150 - Global Ecology of the Family - Credits: 3 hours

FCS 3180 - Intimate Relationship - Credits: 3 hours

FCS 5680 - Gender, Culture, and Families - Credits: 3 hours

FREN 5100 - French/Francophone Culture - Credits: 3 hours

FREN 5600 - Advanced Readings in French - Credits: 3 hours

HIST 3160 - Women in American History - Credits: 3 hours

HIST 3360 - Women in European History - Credits: 3 hours

HIST 4320 - Women in America to 1870 - Credits: 3 hours

HIST 4330 - Women in U.S. History since 1870 - Continuation of HIST 4320. Credits: 3 hours

PADM 2000 - Intro to Nonprofit Leadership - Credits: 3 hours

PADM 3000 - Nonprofit Advancement - Credits: 3 hours

PADM 4000 - Seminar in Nonprofit Leadership - Credits: 3 hours

PHIL 3140 - Philosophy and Public Affairs - Topics to be announced in the Schedule of Classes. May be repeated for credit when topics vary. Credits: 3 hours

PHIL 3150 - Race and Gender Issues - Credits: 3 hours

PSCI 2700 - Political Topics: Women and Politics* - Credits: 1 to 3 hours *Topics courses must be approved by the Director of Gender and Women's Studies

PSCI 3410 - Politics Sub-Saharan Africa - Credits: 4 hours

PSCI 3460 - Women in Developing Countries – Credits: 4 hours

PSCI 4210 - Gender and Law - Credits: 3 hours

PSCI 4220 - Civil Liberties - Credits: 3 hours

PSCI 4410 - Issues in Comparative Politics - Credits: 3 hours

PSCI 4500 - Seminar in International and Comparative Politics - Credits: 3 hours

PSCI 4940 - Seminar in Political Science - Credits: 3 hours

REL 5110 - Women and Religion - Credits: 4 hours

SOC 1900 - Men and Women in Contemporary Society - Credits: 3 hours

SOC 3900 - Marriage & Family Relationships - Credits: 3 hours

SOC 4790 - Male/Female Interaction (also COM 4790) - Credits: 3 hours

SOC 4950 - Topics in Sociology and Criminal Justice* - Credits: 3 hours

SOC 5200 - Studies in Social Psychology – Credits: 3 hours

SOC 5620 - Victimology - Credits: 3 hours

SOC 5900 - Variable Topics in Sociology* - Credits: 3 hours

SOC 6050 - Studies in Social Problems - Credits: 3 hours

Soc 6640 - Studies in Criminology - Variable Topics* - Credits: 3 hours

SOC 6750 - Studies in Comparative Sociology* - Credits: 3 hours

SOC 6800 - Studies in Research Methodology - Credits: 3 hours

*Topics courses must be approved by the Director of Gender and Women's Studies

Other courses concerned with women or gender issues must be approved by the Director of Gender and Women's Studies