Courses Offered
Women's, Gender and Sexuality – Spring 2013
WS 1920Q. Inquiry in Humanities and the Creative Arts (3). Fall, Spring, Summer. This course will introduce students to humanities methods of inquiry used in Women’s Studies. We will discuss how feminist scholars and artists use tools from the humanities and creative arts to formulate critical questions that allow us to explore identity and difference within specific cultural and artistic contexts. Throughout the course, we will analyze the intersection of gender with race and ethnicity in the United States and explore the ways in which the nature of inquiry is gendered. Prerequisite: Open only to Freshman students.
WS 1930Q. Inquiry in Individuals and Society (3). Fall, Spring, Summer. This course will introduce students to social science methods of inquiry used in Women’s Studies. We will use these modes of inquiry to explore topics such as: the historical positioning of groups of women, socialization into gender roles, and the effect of policy and politics on gender. Throughout the course, we will analyze the intersection of gender with race and ethnicity in the United States and explore the ways in which the nature of inquiry is gendered. Prerequisite: Open only to Freshman students.
WS 2000. Introduction to Women’s Studies: Perspectives on Gender, Class and Ethnicity (3). Fall, Spring, Summer. Interdisciplinary survey of the new scholarship on women. Emphasis on the interconnectedness of gender, class and ethnicity in women’s experiences and viewpoints. Applicable to the BG Perspective (general education) cultural diversity in the United States requirement.
WS 2400. Special Topics in Women’s Studies (3). Fall, Spring. Topics of interest in studying women in subject area not offered in regular college course offerings. May be repeated twice, if topics differ. No prerequisite.
WS 2610. Introduction to LGBT Studies (3). Fall. Exploration of a range of topics and issues emerging in the interdisciplinary area of LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender/Transexual) Studies. Course engages in cultural and textual analysis as well as consideration of specific components of LGBT Studies, including (1) major concepts and theories, (2) political, economic, and social constructs which institutionalize homophobia and heterosexism, (3) diversity issues within LGBT communities, and (4) the impact of LGBT scholarship on specific academic disciplines.
WS 2730. History of Feminist Thought and Action (3). Fall. Historical survey of feminist theorists who have challenged and advocated changes in traditional ways of thinking about women’s diverse social, sexual, racial, theological, class-specific status in society. Prerequisite: WS 2000 or permission of instructor. Approved for Distance Education.
WS 3000. Topics in Women’s Studies (1-4). Fall, Spring. Topics of interest in studying women in subject area not offered in regular college course offerings. May be repeated twice if topics differ. No prerequisite.
WS 3010. Women, Art and Culture (3). Fall. Women’s creativity and cultural production in the visual, literary and performing arts, and their relationships to broader cultural issues, including cross-cultural perspectives. Prerequisite: WS 2000 or consent of instructor. Approved for Distance Education.
WS 3050. Women of Color in the United States (3). This course explores how race, gender, class, sexuality, and religion intersect and converge in shaping the lives of women of color in the United States. It emphasizes the diversity of experience of women of color as they resist and contest the material and cultural constraints that limit them. The course also focuses on women of color as agents of social and political change, and provides perspectives on the ways in which women of color shape and define American institutions and society. Credit allowed only for one of ETHN 3050 or WS 3050.
WS 3060. Psychology of Gender (3). Psychological characteristics of women and men; personality, adjustment, identity formation, intellectual processes, sexuality; theories and data on gender development. Credit allowed only for one of WS 3060 or PSYC 3060.
WS 3130. Contemporary Global Feminisms (3). Fall. Exploration of contemporary transnational and third wave feminist theory and activism. There will be an emphasis on contemporary feminist philosophies around the world, particularly in non-Western cultures, and third wave and transnational feminist issues. Prerequisite: WS 2730. Approved for Distance Education.
WS 3270. Women in Modern Europe (3). Fall alternate years. Examination of women in Europe since 1750. Emphasis on changes in women’s working, family, sexual and political lives in conjunction with Europe’s economic and political modernization. Credit not given for both WS 3270 and HIST 3270.
WS 3350. Women and Interpersonal Violence (3). Fall. An interdisciplinary examination of violence against women, including etiology and intervention, in the US and globally. Feminist and cultural perspectives will be used to interpret the research on interpersonal violence.
WS 3440. African Women (3). An interdisciplinary exploration of the lives and experiences of women in Africa. Topics covered will include an historical overview; intersections among gender, politics, economics, nation, and religion; and representations of African women. Credit allowed only for one of WS 3440 or ETHN 3440.
WS 3510. Topics in Sexuality Studies (1-4). Fall, Spring: Topics within the interdiaciplinary field of Sexuality Studies not offered in regular college course offerings. May be repeated to 8 hours if topics differ. No prerequisite.
WS 3610. Histories of Queer Activism (3). Spring. Exploration of the nature and function of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer activism within the United States. Students will consider four components of queer activist agendas: activism as (1) a movement of ideas, (2) a movement of sexual freedom, (3) a political movement, and (4) culture and community.
WS 4000. Advanced Topics in Women’s Studies (3). Fall, Spring. In-depth study of specific topic in women’s studies scholarship or feminist criticism and theory. May be repeated if topics differ. Prerequisite: WS 2000 or permission of instructor.
WS 4010. Practicum in Women’s Studies (3-4). Fall, Spring. Capstone course examines relationship between feminist theory and practice. Apply ideas learned in previous women’s studies courses and seminar readings to working with a community or national organization. Supervised practicum experience. Prerequisites: CCS 3710 or permission of the WS advisor.
WS 4330. Theories of Othered Bodies (3). Spring. Exploration of bodies that are culturally constructed as Other; the ways bodies are constructed, disciplined, and regulated by culture; and how individuals and groups resist cultural definitions of "appropriate" bodies.
WS 4420. Women in American Politics (3). Spring, Alternate years. Seminar on women’s participation in American politics. Trends in women’s political participation, political interest, political knowledge, and political attitudes are examined, including regional and cultural variations. Explanations for women’s under-representation in elective office are explored, including differences in childhood socialization, education, workforce participation, political engagement, treatment by the media, and recruitment by political elites. Credit allowed for only one of POLS 4420/WS 4420.
WS 4450. Women’s Sexualities (3). Spring. An interdisciplinary examination of women’s sexuality, including eroticism, desire, body image, and the influence of personal identities and cultural politics on women’s sexual behaviors, attitudes, and experiences. Sophomore standing required.
WS 4550. Latina/o Gender and Sexuality (3). Fall, Spring. This seminar will examine constructions of gender and sexuality among U.S. Latino/a populations. We will examine the relationship between hierarchies of race, class, gender, and sexuality. Topics include family, reproductive rights, GLBT cultures. Credit allowed for only one of ETHN 4550/WS 4550.
WS 4600. Sociology of Gender (3). Theoretical and empirical literature on family and sex roles; socialization, changing nature of women’s and men’s roles, and prospects for future. Institutional sources of women’s and men’s roles in other cultures. Credit allowed only for one of SOC 4600 or WS 4600.
WS 4670. Gender, Media & Culture (3). On demand. This course examines mass media as work place, cultural forum, and the force of social change for women, men, and sexual minority groups. Junior standing required. No credit for both WS 4670 and TCOM 4670. Applicable to the BG Perspective (general education) cultural diversity in the United States requirement.
WS 4680. Reproductive Health and Politics (3). Spring. Interdisciplinary exploration of the complex cultural, ethical, and political issues surrounding human reproduction in the U.S. and globally, emphasizing the intersectionality of gender, sexuality, race, and socioeconomic status.
WS 4700. Independent Study in Women’s Study (1-3). Fall, Spring. Study project to be designed by student and member(s) of women’s studies faculty in subject area not offered in regular course offering. Prerequisite: junior or senior standing or permission of instructor. May be repeated.
WS 4990. Senior Thesis in Women’s Studies (3). Capstone course for Women’s Study majors. An original research project on a topic of interest in Women’s Studies. The final project will result in a written manuscript and oral presentation. Prerequisite: a research methods course (approved by WS advisor) and consent of the instructor. Senior standing required.
- BGSU at a Glance
- Academics
- Campus Life
- Financing Your Education
- Request Information
- Apply Now
- Visit Us
- Contact Admissions
- Admissions Home
Current BGSU students are online every Sunday–Thursday from 10 a.m. to midnight and Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. EST (except major holidays).
