Minor in W-S, Course Descriptions
The full catalog description is here. The checklist for the minor is here (Word document). This is the most current version of the courses approved for our minor. To return to the top, just click the back arrow on your web browser.
(All colleges) - 24 credits - one course from W-S 100, 210, 230; W-S 499; 9 credits minimum from W-S classes, with at least 6 credits at the 300-level or above: W-S 210*, 230*, 240, 250, 255, 259, 260, 270, 300, 301**, 305**, 315**, 320, 330, 338, 340, 370, 371, 374, 375, 410, 450; 9 credits minimum from classes in other departments: ANT 250, ARC 372, ART 440, CST 334, 338, ECO 336, EFN 485, ENG 220, 385, 482, HED 412, 472; HIS 305, 315, 370*, 371*, 372, 386; PHL 324, 494; POL 205; PSY 305, 318; SAH 307; SOC 338, 370, 375**
* Cannot be counted in both Category 1 and Category 2 ** Cannot be counted in both Category 2 and 3
+ W-S 100 Cr. 3 Gender, Race, and Class in American Institutions
This course provides an introduction to how gender, race and class have intertwined over time to produce women’s social roles and status in American culture. The creation, transmittal, interpretation and institutionalization of gender roles will be examined using family and kinship, the educational system, the media, work, government and the health care system. The course provides a critical, interdisciplinary perspective on scholarship which omits or distorts the female experience.
+ W-S 210 Cr. 3 Women’s Voices/Women’s Culture
An examination of how women have expressed female experience in a variety of forms, including fiction, autobiography, oral traditions, and song. By analyzing women’s words and forms of self-expression, students will explore what is individual and what is common in women’s lives, and will learn tools for understanding female experience and culture. Offered Sem. I.
+ W-S 230 Cr. 3 Women’s Diversity: Race, Class, and Culture
This course explores the diversity of women’s experience in America as it has been affected by race, ethnicity class, and other factors, and the effects of gender on women of different groups. Issues that have united and divided women in movements for social change are also addressed.
W-S 240 Cr. 3 Contemporary Women’s Issues
Contemporary women’s issues will provide the student with an overview of women’s studies scholarship from the late 1960’s to the present. Contemporary theory, social change movements, and women’s lives will be integrated in order to examine the relationship between theory and practice in women’s studies. Offered occasionally.
W-S 250 Cr. 1-3 Topics in Women’s Studies
Intermediate and interdisciplinary analysis of a social issue, idea or institution from the perspective of women and Women’s Studies. Repeatable for credit. Department approval is necessary to apply more than three credits toward the W-S minor. Offered occasionally.
W-S 255 Cr. 1 Women in the Military
This course will provide students with an understanding of the struggles and successes of women’s lives in the U.S. Military. Beginning with an historic overview of women’s changing roles in the military, it will proceed to analyze the reasons for the limitations to women’s equal participation. Finally, the course will recognize the accomplishments of women in the military. Offered Sem. II.
W-S/PSY/ESS 259 Cr. 1 Girls and Women in Sport
An introduction to the involvement of girls and women in sport. Topics include a historical perspective on women’s sport participation, cultural images of women athletes, physiological and psychological benefits of sport participation as well as negative correlates, teaching and coaching implications of current research, Title IX, and recreation/leisure approaches to physical activity. (Cross-listed with ESS and PSY, may only earn credit in ESS, PSY, or W-S.)
W-S 260 Cr. 3 Women in Wisconsin and the Upper Midwest
An exploration of the experience of a variety of women in our region: American Indians, Blacks, and European immigrants; urban women and homesteaders; single and married women; and their roles as settlers, family members, and community builders. The course emphasizes sources and concepts for understanding female experience in a regional context. Offered occasionally.
W-S 270 Cr. 3 Women and Friendship
An examination of women’s friendships historically, psychologically, sociologically, and politically in the context of a sexist, racist, classist, and homophobic culture. Beginning with defining friendships in women’s lives and continuing through a woman’s life span, the course will go on to examine how socio-cultural changes have interrupted women’s friendship in the past and the present. Women’s friendships with women, men, kin, and mentors will be examined. Lastly, women’s friendships will be explored as a way to reconstruct community. Offered every two years.
W-S 300 Cr. 1-3 Independent Study
Topics to be selected by the individual instructor or by the student and instructor together. The topics must relate to women’s experiences and/or issues. Prerequisite: WS 100 and consent of the department chairperson. Repeatable for credit - maximum 6.
W-S/HIS 301 Cr. 3 Women in the Modern United States: 1890-Present
This course introduces students to key issues in modern women’s history in the United States. It explores women’s experiences as workers, activists, consumers, citizens, and family members. It also examines the various ways in which generations of Americans have defined "woman’s place" and "women’s issues," and raises questions about the possibility for defining common women’s issues today. (Cross-listed with HIS, may only earn credit in W-S or HIS.) Offered alternate years.
W-S/HIS 305 Cr. 3 History of Motherhood in the U.S.
This course considers motherhood in nineteenth and twentieth century United States history from a variety of perspectives. It explores women’s experiences as mothers, across lines of race class, and relationship status. It also examines the politics of motherhood in U.S. history, and considers both the restrictive and the empowering dimensions of ideologies of motherhood. (Cross-listed with HIS, may only earn credit in W-S or HIS.) Offered alternate years.
W-S/HIS 315 Cr. 3 History of Feminist Thought
An examination of the history of feminist ideas in the United States and the historical context, both western and international, from which they emerged. (Crosslisted with HIS, may only earn credit in W-S or HIS.) Offered alternate years.
W-S 320 Cr. 3 Violence Against Women
This course will examine from an interdisciplinary perspective, the connections between violence against women and the power distributions within our society. Three specific types of violence against women will be examined in-depth: sexual assault, incest and battering. Prerequisite: One of the following: W-S 100, 210, 230, EFN 205. Offered Sem. II, alternate years.
W-S 330-530 Cr. 1-3 Topics: Women, Gender and Society
Interdisciplinary analysis of a social issue, idea, or institution from the perspective of women and women’s studies. Prerequisite: One of the following: W-S 100, 210, 230, EFN 205 for undergraduates only. Repeatable for credit - maximum 9. Department approval is necessary to apply more than three credits toward the WS minor. Offered occasionally.
W-S 340 Cr. 3 Women, Learning and Knowledge
An analysis of how women’s learning experience has been and continues to be limited by conceptions of gender, race, and class. Through an examination of how knowledge is acquired and how society defines knowledge, students will come to a better understanding of how women can "reclaim" their educations. Prerequisite: One of the following: W-S 100, 210, 230, EFN 205. Offered occasionally.
W-S/HIS 370 Cr. 3 The History of Black Women’s Activism
An historical overview of the thoughts, actions, and creative products of Black women activists in the United States, from slavery to the present. Students will examine historical analyses, speeches, essays, economic activities, organizational styles, political issues, and various forms of artistic expression that women of African descent have produced in order to query, resist, and defy the interlocking oppressions of racism, sexism, and classism in the United States. Prerequisite: One of the following: W-S 100, 210, 230, EFN 205, ERS 100. (Cross-listed with HIS, may only earn credit in W-S or HIS.) Offered alternate years.
W-S/HIS 371 Cr. 3 Women, Agriculture and the Environment
Beginning with the ancient notion that the earth was both alive and female, a concept indigenous to western as well as other cultures, this course will examine subsequent ideas that have historically shaped attitudes and actions toward women and the earth, especially as those values and actions have affected agriculture in the U.S. The course will examine such topics as the roles of women as builders of community in the rural world; the impact of the industrializing of the production of food and fiber on concepts of femininity; the development of the modern corporate state and its impact on women and agriculture; and how women and men are working to reshape the way we see, think about, and act on, and interact with the earth. Prerequisite: One of the following: W-S 100, 210, 230, EFN 205. (Cross-listed with HIS, may only earn credit in W-S or HIS.) Offered alternate years.
W-S 374 Cr. 3 Women, Poverty and Public Policy
The course analyzes the historical underpinnings to the creation and evolution of welfare with special attention paid to the ways gender, race, and class oppression have shaped welfare in the past and today. Wage differentials, occupational segregation, unpaid work, and gender violence are discussed in relation to the construction of poverty. How poverty affects the lives of poor women and their children also is be explored. Current welfare policy will be analyzed and suggestions for reform based on current research is developed by the class. Prerequisite: One of the following: W-S 100, 210, 230, POL 205, PSY 318, EFN 205. Offered Sem. II, even numbered years.
W-S/SOC 375 Cr. 3 Lesbian Studies
Examines the social construction of sexual orientation and its meaning for women and women’s equality. The course draws on a range of sources, including scientific research, history, literature, psychological theory, and popular culture. Prerequisite: One of the following: W-S 100, W-S 210, W-S 230, EFN 205. (Cross-listed with SOC, may only earn credit in WS or SOC.) Offered alternate years.
W-S 410 Cr. 3 Women’s Issues in the Third World
A broad overview of women’s issues in AALA (Africa, Asia, and Latin America), this course will investigate the impact of colonialism, unilateral economic imperialism, and multinational corporations on women’s traditional roles in AALA and explore the processes that have produced both women’s and feminist movements in these regions of the world. Exploring the meaning of women’s movements in international politics following the Mexico City, Nairobi, and Beijing conferences, the course will analyze relationships between women in the U.S. and the women of AALA. Topics might include: the international economic power of U.S. women as consumers, international labor issues and organizing, environmental issues for U.S. and AALA women, and the challenges of AALA feminisms. Prerequisite: One of the following: W-S 100, 210, 230, EFN 205, and another 300-level W-S course or cross-listed course. Offered occasionally.
W-S 450 Cr. 1-6 Internship in Women’s Studies
The internship is an academically relevant field experience for minors in women’s studies which combines women’s studies scholarship with practical experience. The field experience will be supervised by the women’s studies staff. Prerequisite: junior standing and six credits of women’s studies and a minimum 2.50 GPA. A maximum of three credits will be counted toward the minor. Repeatable for credit - maximum 6.
W-S 499 Cr. 3 Seminar in Women’s Studies
Intensive interdisciplinary study of particular areas in women’s studies. Topics will be chosen by the instructor and the students. Prerequisite: One of the following: W-S 100, W-S 210, W-S 230, and at least two other courses approved for the women’s studies minor, and declared Women’s Studies minor.
Women's Studies Courses in Other Departments:
ANT 250 Cr. 3 Women and Society
A comparative and evolutionary analysis of the development of sex roles in human society, concentrating on the experience of females. Considers sexual dimorphism; symbolic background of gender; relationships between techno-economy, social structure, political organization and women’s roles; personality and sex roles; and the experience of women in America.
ARC/HIS 372 Cr. 3 History of Women in the Ancient World
A history of the nature and status of women in the ancient world as derived from textual sources, including works of literature, private letters, economic documents, and tomb inscriptions. Areas studied will be Syro-Mesopotamia, Israel, Iran, Anatolia, Egypt, and the Mediterranean world. Also discussed will be the study of women as derived from archaeological sources. (Crosslisted with HIS, may only earn credit in ARC or HIS.) Offered once every three semesters.
ART 440 Cr. 3 Contemporary Issues in Art: Gender, Race and Class
A combined lecture and studio course exploring contemporary directions in art. Included are feminist and multicultural art theory and practice with emphasis on writing, critical inquiry and creative research. Lect. 2, Studio 2. Prerequisites: ART 106 and 354. Offered every third semester.
CST 334 Cr. 3 Gender Communication
Explores the theory and practice of communication between men and women. Focuses on understanding the similarities and differences of communicative behaviors (verbal, nonverbal, power, conflict and listening) among men and women in various contexts such as intimate relationships, friendships, educational settings, the work place and media. Prerequisite: CST 230 or W-S 100. Offered Sem. II.
CST 338 Cr. 3 Romance in the Media
This course examines the role of print and electronic media in constructing and/or reinforcing unrealistic mythic and stereotype images and ideals of sex, love and romance and the impact of these portrayals on men, women, and children. Multidisciplinary research and theory provide the basis for the focus on practical applications. Students will attempt to identify mass media myths and unrealistic portrayals. Prerequisite: CST 230 or W-S 100. Offered as needed.
+ECO 336 Cr. 3 Women in the U.S. Economy
An introduction to the status of women in the U.S. economy. Topics include alternative perspectives on women, work and the labor force, the value of paid versus unpaid labor, pay equity, the social support network, and the prospects for change.
EFN 485/585 Cr. 1-2 Non-Sexist Education
A review of the cultural, institutional, and individual foundations of sexism in our society through lecture and small group discussions which provide insights to facilitate an understanding of how sexism damages men as well as women. Instructional strategies and curricular materials appropriate for students at different age levels will be developed concerning each of the three dimensions of sexism. Prerequisite: EFN 205. Offered occasionally.
+ENG 220 Cr. 3 Women and Popular Culture
Fundamentals of cultural studies, with a focus on analyzing representations of women in modern American popular culture and their historical reception. Primary texts from media such as film, television, advertising, and popular fiction will be studied for how they communicate cultural values regarding women and femininity. Prerequisite: ENG 110.
ENG 385 Cr. 3 Women Authors
This course examines how women's literature reflects the causes and nature of women's places in society and their creation of alternative visions and strategies, with a focus on women's negotiation of established traditions of authorship. Primary readings will span literary periods and genres. Authors may include Sappho, Marie de France, Katherine Phillips, Mary Astell, Mary Wollstonecraft, Mary Shelley, Charlotte Bronte, Phyllis Wheatley, Lillian Hellman, Djuna Barnes, George Eliot, Virginia Woolf, Angela Carter, Joyce Carol Oats, Toni Morrison, Zadie Smith. Prerequisite: three credits of 200 level English courses.
ENG 482 Cr. 3 Advanced Study of Women's Literature
This course builds on ENG 385, Women Authors, offering a more focused study of a particular aspect of women's aesthetic expression - the novel, poetry, drama, film, autobiography, and other genres are possible primary texts. Students will engage with more advanced theoretical approaches and critical/contextual readings, while studying the gendered politics of producing and consuming women's artistic work. Approaches might include cultural studies, psychoanalytic theory, sociolinguistics, global matriarchal traditions, new historicism, feminist theory, and so on. Focus will vary with instructors. Prerequisite: ENG 301 and 385. Repeatable for credit -- maximum 6. No more than 3 credits may be applied to an English major or minor. Junior standing or higher recommended.
HED 412/512 Cr. 1-3 Women’s Health Issues
This course will provide an opportunity for participants to identify major health issues confronting women today and to examine appropriate health prevention and health promotion lifestyle choices. It will explore health issues from the traditional medical model to the holistic model and provide a comprehensive overview of critical, contemporary women’s health issues. Repeatable for credit — maximum 3. Offered Sem. II.
HED 472/572 Cr. 3 Sexual Health Promotion
A review of current information on health and human sexuality. Emphasis is given to biological, psychosocial and educational aspects of human sexuality with special emphasis on instructional activities related to interpersonal communication, decision-making ability and clarification of values. Prerequisite: ESS 205, 206 or BIO 312, 313.
HIS 386 Cr. 3 Women and Gender in Africa
An examination of gender and power in Africa, and the historical roots of inequality as experienced by women in the social, economic, religious and political spheres during the 19th and 20th centuries. Course combines case studies on: Queens, goddesses, warriors, gender systems, with thematic issues such as gender impact of colonialism, resistance, African feminism, women politicians and empowerment to provide a vivid image of the state of gender relations in Africa. Offered Sem. I.
PHL 324 Cr. 3 Feminism and Philosophy
The study of the theoretical foundations of various feminist and anti-feminist theories. We consider feminist and anti-feminist positions in relation to issues of human relationships, justice, equality, human nature, freedom, and theory construction. We will analyze various contemporary ethical, social, and political issues in regard to these feminist perspectives. Prerequisite: PHL 100. Offered Sem. I.
PHL 494 Cr. 3 Advanced Topics in Philosophy (Topic: Sexual Ethics only)
Study of a philosophical topic of special interest. Topics will vary according to the interests of students and the instructor. For the current content, consult the instructor or the department chair. Prerequisite: nine credits in philosophy and consent of department chair. This course is open to juniors and seniors. No more than six credits in PHL 494, 495, and 497 are applicable to a philosophy major or minor. Repeatable for credit - maximum 6. Offered occasionally.
+POL 205 Cr. 3 Women and Politics
An examination of the positions and roles of women in the political arena. This course discusses the nature and extent of women’s political involvement, both in the United States and abroad, with particular emphasis on the cultural and racial diversity of women political participants in the United States. Additional topics will include the legal status of women, differences between male and female political behavior, factors that influence women’s political participation and current political issues related to women. Offered Sem. II.
PSY 305 Cr. 3 Human Sexuality
A study of psychology of sexual attitudes and behaviors, including typical and atypical variations. Prerequisite: PSY 100.
+PSY 318 Cr. 3 Psychology of Women
Theories and research concerning the biological, psychological, and social aspects of female functioning will be evaluated. The course will analyze psychological literature that addresses itself to the experience, development, and behavior of women from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Prerequisite: PSY 100 and sophomore standing.
+ SAH 307 Cr. 3 Changing the Culture: Women in Science
This course will focus on the relationship between science and culture, specifically with regard to women. A comprehensive approach will be taken to explore both women's roles in science and women as objects of scientific investigation. Issues that will be addressed include cultural and historical attitudes toward women in science, cultural and historical barriers fought against and overcome by women, and contributions of women to multiple scientific disciplines. Women as objects of psychological and physiological investigation will be explored, and knowledge will be applied to an assessment of how cultural and gender biases have impacted women's health and lives. Prerequisite: Junior standing. Offered Sem. II.
W-S/SOC 338 Cr. 3 Sociological Aspects of Work and Life
This course will explore the sociological impact of work and life demands in contemporary American society. Special emphasis will be given to how gender, sexual orientation, social class, race and ethnicity, and family structure affect individuals’ ability to balance the demands of work and life. Prerequisite: SOC 110 or 120 or 200 or ANT 101. May only earn credit in SOC 338 or PSY 444.
SOC 370 Cr. 3 Sociology of Gender
Explores the social construction, variation and consequences of gender
categories across time and space. Examines how gender identities are
developed and how gender structures our experiences in education, work,
families, the media and other institutions. Prerequisite: SOC 110 or 120
or 200 or ANT 101.