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Women's
and Gender Studies Department
Academic Program: Course Catalog
WGS
280 Women's Bodies: Health and Image
Examines
research and theory about the health and body image concerns of women
throughout the life cycle. This includes the gender politics of medical
research, mental health, body image, reproductive health and chronic illness.
Students will be exposed to current theoretical work and writing about
the body in society, including weight and appearance issues for women
of different races and social classes. Students develop the skills necessary
to become better consumers of health information, including training in
how to evaluate medical and health information available on the world
wide web. Satisfied GE, category E (The Integrated Person).
WGS
285 Men's Health, Men's Lives
Examines
men's mental and physical health within the larger context of men's lives.
A multidisciplinary perspective will be used to explore how various populations
of men experience health, disease and disability, the social sources of
health and illness, and men's body image concerns. In addition, this course
will develop an understanding of various theories of manhood or masculinity,
and explore how men's participation in various activities--including relationships,
family, fatherhood, sports, crime and violence--influence their health and
well-being. Satisfies GE, category E (The Integrated Person).
WGS
301 Feminist Lecture Series
A
weekly lecture series (or occasional workshops) offering presentations
and discussion of current issues from feminist perspectives. There is
usually a semester-long focus on a particular topic, such as women's health.
The lectures are open to the community. May be repeated for credit.
WGS
301 Women's Health Lecture Series
Students
attend weekly lectures. For the most recent schedule of lectures, please
visit the Women's Health Lecture Series page at www.sonoma.edu/womenstudies/women's-health-lecture-series.htm
WGS
311 Special Issues in Women and Gender Studies
A
variable-topics seminar focusing upon intensive study of specific topics
in WGS. Examples of topics include peer education, global feminism, queer
lives, and service learning. May be repeated for credit. See course descriptions
for various WGS 311 topics below.
WGS
311 Gender in Asian America (4)
This
course takes an interdisciplinary approach toward studying gender, race,
and sexuality in contemporary Asian America. Integrating both feminist
and ethnic studies approaches and methodologies, we will address basic
questions such as: What does it mean to be an Asian American woman or
man in today's social and political climate? What has feminism done for
Asian American women-and men? Where do Asian Americans fit into the debates
on race in America? We will explore these questions through an interdisciplinary
approach combining sociological studies, literature by/about Asian Americans,
as well as popular culture magazines and film.
WGS
311 Sociology of Reproduction (4)
An
exploration of sociological perspectives on human reproduction. Topics
include reproduction and gender identity; the social implications of reproductive
technologies; historical and contemporry perspectives on normal pregnancy
and childbirth; the cultural context for breastfeeding; and the politics
of reproductive rights and choices in the United States. Seminar.
WGS
311 Service Learning in WGS
The
course topic is "Gender Research and Children in the Community."
Students are placed in local settings that serve children in a variety
of ways. Readings provide the opportunity to connect current research
with student service and also reflect on the meaning of the service to
students' own learning process. Class meetings are reduced after a few
weeks to accommodate work placements.
WGS
311 Single Women in the U.S.
Explores
how society has changed over time in its view of single women and how single
women view themselves. Do ethnicity and race make a difference? What is
the relationship between feminism and singleness? We examine the differences
and similarities between younger and older women, lesbians and heterosexuals,
divorced and never-married women, and childless and single mothers.
WGS
311 Violence and Gender
It is the
purpose of this course to educate the student as to the incidence and
prevalence of violence and abuse and its relationship to gender, with
a special focus on violence in the family. We will also explore the various
theories about causation as well as some of the controversies that exist
in the field.
WGS
311 Women and Crime
This
course provides an indepth analysis of an important, but often ignored
current issue in criminal justice: women and crime. It is designed to
provide students with an understanding of the role of gender in terms
of female pathways to crime, the nature and extent of female offending,
victimization, and incarceration. An examination of gender-responsive
criminal justice policy and practice will be conducted.
325
Youth: Gender Perspectives (3-4)
This
course examines youth, focusing on the complex interconnection of gender,
race/ ethnicity, social class, sexuality, and other factors in understanding
the experiences and social conditions of children in the US, as well as
the methodological issues that arise in conducting research on children.
This course requires community service.
WGS
330 Psychology of Women
An
exploration of the psychology of women, with attention to issues of power
and conflict, intimacy and dependence, special concerns in therapy for women,
and the impact of race, class, ethnicity and sexual preference on women's
psychological development. Crosslisted as PSY 404.
WGS
350 Gender, Sexuality and Family
An
exploration of changing ideals and practices of gender, sexuality and
family life in the U.S., drawing especially on recent feminist scholarship.
Topics for reading and discussion will focus on both women and men. Fulfills
upper-division GE, category E (The Integrated Person). Prerequisites:
ENGL 101 or PHIL 101; and onecourse in sociology, psychology, American
history or women's studies; or consent of instructor.
355
Queer Theory, Queer Lives (4)
This
course will introduce the field of queer studies by looking at LGBTQ (Lesbian,
gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer) lives in the context of US history,
politics, and culture. Course topics include the history of LGBTQ communities
in the US, an introduction to queertheory, and a structured analysis of
contemporary topics.
WGS
375 Gender, Race and Class
An
overview of the interaction of race, gender and class oppression and resistance
in the historical and contemporary experience of Native American, Asian
American, African American and Latino/Chicano women and men. This course
seeks to enhance understanding of how racism, sexism, and classism function
in the political, social and economic systems of the U.S. Students will
have an opportunity to acquire knowledge of how race, gender and class function
and intersect with other issues. Satisfies GE, category D1 (Individual and
Society) and Ethnic Studies GE.
WGS
380 Gender and Social Movements
Social
movements organized around gender issues and identities are significant
sources of social change in modern societies. This course analyzes the
structure and dynamics of social movements based on gender, with attention
to the roles or organizations, resources, leadership, recruitment, commitment,
values, ideology, political culture and countermovements. Case studies
will emphasize the women's suffrage movement, the women's peace movement,
the feminist movement that began in the 1960s as well as its offshoots
and countermovements, the gay and lesbian rights movement, and recent
men's movements. Crosslisted as SOCI 497.
385
Gender and Globalization (4)
This
class will use an interdisciplinary approach to explore how gender, race,
class, sexuality, nation, and colonialism intersect locally and globally
and to understand how gender shapes the realities of women world-wide.
We will frame our analyses within an understanding of the processes of
globalization and global communities.
WGS
395 Community Involvement Program
The
purpose of CIP is to encourage student involvement in the community. Projects
sponsored by women's and gender studies focus upon women's needs and organizations.
Cr/NC only.
WGS
399 Student-Instructed Courses
An
introductory or advanced course designed by a senior or graduate student
and taught under the supervision of faculty sponsor(s). Please see below
for specific topics offered recently.
WGS
399 Third Wave Feminism
Are
you wondering about the current state of feminism? This student led course
will focus on feminism within the US today. Intersections with ethnicity,
class, gender, sexuality, and able-ism will be analyzed in examining movement
goals and organizing efforts. Students will be required to explore activism
on campus and within the community.
WGS
399 Arab Women: Images and Realities
This
course explores the representation of women in the Arab world as well as
those who belong to the Arab Diaspora. It brings together an eclectic mix
of contemporary Arab women researchers, academics, activists, authors, poets
and artists who illuminate various aspects regarding the status of women
in the Arab world. The course also includes a review of the development
of Islam and the transformation of central beliefs into culturally and historically
specific practices of power and aggression against women.
WGS
399 Masculinity and Film
What
roles does film play in shaping and reshaping masculine identities? How
does popular media portray and shape our beliefs about the identities
of men who aren't white, heterosexual and middle class? These are some
of the issues we will be exploring in this class. Our analysis will be
based on discussions of selected readings and popular films such as A
Few Good Men, White Man's Burden, Fight Club, Billy
Elliot and others.
WGS
425 Feminist Research Methods (4) Fall
A
feminist critique of traditional methods of constructing knowledge and
research practices and discussion of gender-inclusive research strategies.
Students will be given instruction in library and electronic information
retrieval and in grant writing for research funding. Students will design,
execute, and report on a research project.
WGS
475 Contemporary Feminist Theory (4) Fall
This
course examines both historical and contemporary trends in feminist theory.
Students will examine how feminist theory might address the complex relationship
between race-ethnicity, gender, sexuality, class, and nation as they relate
to (for example) the production of knowledge, the implementation of theory
and practice, and social change/activism. Prerequisite: WGS280 or WGS
350, or by instructor's consent.
WGS
485 Senior Seminar
This
course provides an opportunity for advanced study on a special issue each
time it is offered, including topics such as health, family and work. The
special topic will be explored in seminar format. Students write research
papers or design organizational or advocacy programming. This course is
taken during the student's senior year. Prerequisites: WGS 280, WGS 285,
WGS 350, WGS 375, or consent of instructor.
WGS
490 Gender, Work and Organizations
A
review and critical evaluation of research on gender, work, and organization.
Topics include gender differences in earnings, advancement and career selection,
bureaucratic and alternative forms of work organization, balancing work
and family demands, and practical and policy solutions for gendered problems
men and women face in the workplace.
WGS
492 Syllabus Design
Students
work on an individual basis with a faculty member to develop reading materials,
lecture and discussion topics, and assignments appropriate to the teaching
of a specific student-taught course in women's and gender studies. Student-taught
courses must be approved by the chair, and students must follow established
procedural guidelines for teaching in the women's and gender studies program.
Most student teachers are requiered to take WGS 492 before teaching, and
WGS 493 while teaching.
WGS
493 Teaching Supervision
In
order to continue professional skill development in the teaching of adults,
students enroll in WGS 499 in order to instruct a student-taught class in
Women's and Gender Studies. Students acting as teaching assistants in the
university or teaching adults in a community context may also enroll in
this course. Prerequisite: WGS 492; corequisite: WGS 499, or consent of
instructor.
WGS
495 Special Studies
Upper-division
students may elect to do an independent research or action project under
the direction of a women's and gender studies faculty member.
WGS
499 Internship
Supervised
training and experience for advanced students in community agencies concerned
with women's and men's issues and gender change. Student teaching of a student-taught
university course is another form of internship. At present, we offer credit
(and not a grade) for student teaching and off-campus projects. Special
contracts are required and are obtainable either in the department office
or the Center for Field Experience. Internships may be paid.
Graduate
Courses
500
Seminar in Feminist Theory and Research in the Social Sciences
A
survey of feminist critiques of social science theory and research in
various disciplines (depending on student interest), which includes anthropology,
history, political science, psychology and sociology. A survey of feminist
attempts to reformulate and transform social science theory and methods,
including debates and disagreements among feminist scholars. Requirements
will include an individual research project and analysis. Prerequisite:
at least one course in a social science and at least one course that focuses
on women or gender (course may be at graduate or undergraduate level).
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