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

Gender and Women's Studies Courses:

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 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

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

Prerequisites & Corequisites: Prerequisite: WMS 2000.

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 – 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

WMS 4010 – Foundations of Feminist Theory: An investigation of various texts 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

Prerequisites & Corequisites: Prerequisite: WMS 2000.

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

WMS 4400 – Internship Seminar: 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

Prerequisites & Corequisites: Prerequisites: 12 hours of course work from the WMS approved list (including WMS 2000) and at least junior status, or departmental approval.

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

Prerequisites & Corequisites: Prerequisites: 12 hours of course work from the WMS approved list (including WMS 200) and at least junior status, or departmental approval.

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

Notes : The prerequisites for admission of undergraduates to 5000-level Women's Studies classes are twelve hours of course work from the Women's Studies approved list (including WMS 2000) and at least junior level status, or departmental approval

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

Prerequisites & Corequisites: Prerequisite: WMS 4010.

Notes : The prerequisites for admission of undergraduates to 5000-level Women's Studies classes are twelve hours of course work from the Women's Studies approved list (including WMS 2000) and at least junior level status, or departmental approval.

WMS 5970 – Issues in Women’s Studies: Variable Topics: Group study of special issues in Women's Studies. Variable topics may address theoretical, critical, or practical issues in the historical or contemporary context. The courses will be offered in response to the special needs and interests of students and may be organized around special events or available guest speakers. May be repeated for credit when topics vary. Course open to graduate students. Credits: 1 to 3 hours

Notes: The prerequisites for admission of undergraduates to 5000-level Women's Studies classes are twelve hours of course work from the Women's Studies approved list (including WMS 2000) and at least junior level status, or departmental approval.

WMS 5980 – Readings 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

Notes: The prerequisites for admission of undergraduates to 5000-level Women's Studies classes are twelve hours of course work from the Women's Studies approved list (including WMS 2000) and at least junior level status, or departmental approval.