Women & Gender Studies
Dr. Bridget Chalk
Program Coordinator
Women and Gender Studies is an interdisciplinary minor that encourages students to explore the complex ways in which gender shapes who we are and how we live, and it takes the diversity of women’s experiences through history and across cultures as its central focus. Until recently, women’s experiences and work have been undervalued and often ignored. Recent scholarship by feminist historians, literary scholars, social and natural scientists, and educators has recovered the richness of women’s contributions and the complexity of women’s roles in society over time. This field of study explores the diversity of women’s experiences as they have been represented for and by them, and, in so doing, challenges students to examine critically gender relations in both the public and private spheres. Women and Gender Studies also analyzes gender as it intersects with other categories that shape social institutions and practices, power relations, and the very meaning of knowledge. Through courses, invited speakers, and faculty research, the minor seeks to promote women’s issues and gender awareness in order to help students create a more equitable world.
Minor
Minors must take 15 approved credits from the following list. 4 of these must be at the 300-level or higher. No more than two courses from any one department will apply to the minor.
| ENGL 262 | Gender and Literature | 3 |
| ENGL 323 | Studies in Eighteenth-Century British Literature * | 3 |
| ENGL 334 | Studies in British Romanticism * | 3 |
| ENGL 337 | Literature by Women | 3 |
| GOVT 412 | Senior Seminar: Women in Politics | 3 |
| HIST 308 | European Women to 1500 | 3 |
| HIST 360 | Women in the United States | 3 |
| HIST 388 | Women in Modern Europe | 3 |
| MGMT 460 | Management Seminar | 3 |
| MUSC 400 | Special Topics: in Music * | 3 |
| PHIL 350 | Philosophers on Race, Class, and Gender | 3 |
| PHIL 352 | Philosophers on Sexuality, Love, and Friendship | 3 |
| PSYC 342 | Psychology of Family Relationships | 3 |
| PSYC 343 | Psychology of Women | 3 |
| RELS 300 | Special Topic * | 3 |
| RELS 374 | Women in Western Religion | 3 |
| RELS 375 | Religion and the Body | 3 |
| RELS 390 | Sexuality and the Sacred | 3 |
| SOC 302 | Race and Ethnicity | 3 |
| SOC 306 | The Family | 3 |
| SOC 315 | Special Topics: in Sociology * | 3 |
| SOC 399 | Sociology of Gender | 3 |
| SPAN 420 | Spanish Seminar * | 3 |
| SPAN 429 | The Spanish Golden Age * | 3 |
| SPAN 440 | Women in Hispanic Literature | 3 |
| * | When these “topics” courses focus on a subject relevant to women and gender studies. Special topics courses are also occasionally offered in education, the humanities, business, and the social sciences and may count toward the minor with permission of the Women and Gender Studies coordinator. |
A minimum grade of C is required for credit toward the minor.