Department of Women's and Gender Studies
Professors: Laura L. Ellingson (Patrick A. Donohoe, S.J. Professor), Eileen Razzari Elrod
Associate Professors: Linda Garber (Department Chair), Sharmila Lodhia
The Department of Women's and Gender Studies brings together scholars and scholarship on women and gender, areas that have come to occupy an increasingly important place in a number of disciplines in the last quarter century. Areas of inquiry include the participation of women in social and cultural production; the construction of gender and its role as a constitutive element of social, political, economic, and legal structures; feminist theory; and the development of ideas about femininities, masculinities, and sexualities. Gender is examined as it intersects with class, sexuality, ethnicity, disability, age, nationality, and the like. Women's and Gender Studies provides an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to understanding the social and cultural constructions of gender that shape the experiences of everyone. The curriculum offers a solid foundation in women's and gender studies, facilitating graduate study and careers involving gender justice concerns, and preparing students for leadership roles in diverse workplaces and communities. Women's and Gender Studies offers a major and minor.
Requirements for the Major
In addition to fulfilling University Core Curriculum, students with a major in Women's and Gender Studies must complete the following requirements:
Thirteen courses:
One Principles of WGST course or sequence:
WGST 1A and 2A
WGST 11A and 12A
WGST 50
WGST 51
WGST 57/HIST 84
WGST 112/ETHN 154
WGST 114/ETHN 157
WGST 115/SOCI 153/ETHN 151
Four required upper-division courses:
WGST 101 (Feminist Theory) (advised in the junior year)
WGST 102/COMM 111G (Feminist Methods) (advised in the junior year)
WGST 105 (Advanced Seminar) or WGST 105A (Body Politics)
WGST 190 (Capstone) (senior year)
Three-course concentration in one of three areas: Cultural Politics of Representation; Power, Rights, and Society; or Sexualities, Body Politics, and Social Structures
Five electives
Requirements for the Minor
Students must fulfill the following requirements for a minor in Women's and Gender Studies:
Six courses, at least three of which must be upper division:
One Principles of WGST course or sequence:
WGST 1A and 2A
WGST 11A and 12A
WGST 50
WGST 51
WGST 57/HIST 84
WGST 112/ETHN 154
WGST 114/ETHN 157
WGST 115/SOCI 153/ETHN 151
One of the following:
WGST 101 (Feminist Theory) (advised in the junior year)
WGST 102/COMM 111G (Feminist Methods) (advised in the junior year)
All minors must complete:
- WGST 190 (Capstone) (senior year)
Three electives
Lower-Division Courses
1A. and 2A. Critical Thinking & Writing I and II
A two-course sequence, focusing on a major theme, featuring study and practice of academic discourse, with emphasis on critical reading and writing, composing processes, and rhetorical situation. The second course will feature more advanced study and practice of academic discourse, with additional emphasis on information literacy and skills related to developing and organizing longer and more complex documents. Successful completion of CTW I (WGST 1A) is a prerequisite for CTW 11 (WGST 2A). (4 units each quarter)
11A. and 12A. Cultures & Ideas I and II
A two-course sequence focusing on a major theme in human experience and culture over a significant period of time. Courses emphasize either broad global interconnections or the construction of Western culture in its global context. Courses may address ways women's lives in diverse global regions are shaped by the political, economic, and social structures that surround them; perspectives on representation, citizenship and rights, bodies and sexuality; and other topics. Successful completion of C&I I (WGST 11A) is a prerequisite for C&I II (WGST 12A). (4 units each quarter)
50. Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies
Examines gender in the lives of women and men, using an interdisciplinary approach to analyze the effects of societal institutions and processes. Particular attention is paid to the development and dynamics of gender inequality; intersections of gender, race, class, and sexuality; and the social construction of gender. (4 units)
51. Introduction to LGBTQ Studies
Covers a variety of topics focusing on the areas of history, media, politics, literature and the arts, emphasizing the diverse nature of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) communities and issues. Course materials address sexual identity as it intersects with gender, class, race, ethnicity, disability, and nation. (4 units)
76. Violence Against Women
Interdisciplinary study of U.S.-based women in the context of the institutionalization of violence and its impact across civic life. Areas of violence research such as campus, domestic, sexual assault, harassment, and stalking will be addressed in the context of the intersections of race, class, gender, and sexuality. (4 units)
Upper-Division Courses: Women's and Gender Studies
101. Feminist Theory
Examines historical and contemporary feminist theories with the goal of understanding the multiplicity of feminist frameworks for thinking about sex, gender, and oppression. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or permission by WGST department chair. (5 units)
102. Feminist Methods
Also listed as COMM 111G. For course description see COMM 111G. (5 units)
103. Topics in Women's and Gender Studies
Explores a variety of current issues in women's and gender studies. (5 units)
104. Beauty, Culture, and Society in a Global Age
Explores dominant standards of beauty across diverse cultures and societies. Beginning with an analysis of the historical origins of the display of raced and gender bodies, this course will identify linkages between beauty and ideas about racial superiority, eugenics, hygiene, and the logics and instrumentalities of colonialism. After situating the analysis of bodies and beauty within a historical context, subsequent units will examine contemporary issues such as beauty contests, colorism, the hair trade, plastic surgery, and the beauty industrial complex. Readings and assignments will highlight the lived impact of hegemonic beauty ideals on women in diverse regional contexts. (5 units)
105. Advanced Seminar
This advanced seminar in women's and gender studies may be taken more than once with a different topic. Prerequisites: WGST principles course and declared major/minor; or WGST principles course and declared pathway in Gender, Sexuality, and the Body, or in Gender, Globalization, and Empire; or permission of instructor. (5 units)
105A. Body Politics
This course uses feminist theory to explore cultural and individual experiences of embodiment and biotechnology. Students will examine biopolitical discourse and its relationship both to individual lived bodies and biotechnologies that make possible particular bodily configurations. Topics include scientific and cultural studies of birth control devices, assisted reproductive technologies (i.e., in vitro fertilization), weight loss surgery, adaptive technologies for people with disabilities, and hormonal and surgical treatments for transgender people. Also listed as COMM 119A. (5 units)
106. Advanced Writing in Women's and Gender Studies
Researching and writing on topics in intersectional gender and sexuality studies, with an emphasis on revising for various contexts and audiences. (5 units)
106A. Advanced Writing in Women's and Gender Studies: Gender, Race, and Resistance
This course will discuss numerous forms of protest and resistance, focusing especially on the ways current forms of activism are responding to issues that concern women, LGBTQ people, and people of color, and their many intersections. (5 units)
107. Gender, Technology, and Society
Examines how social categories such as gender, race, class, and sexuality are shaped by technology and in turn, shape the development of new technologies. Topics may include, among others: feminist technology studies, the digital divide, social media, reproductive technologies, and gaming. (5 units)
107A. Science, Sex, and the Body
This course uses feminist theory to explore relationships between animals and women, the politics of food, interspecies sex, the social life of bacteria, evolutionary biology, prosthetics, and environmental toxicity in the body. (5 units)
118. Women and Law
Examines the legal status and rights of women in the United States through an intersectional lens. Principles such as equality, essentialism, privacy, and equal protection will be examined as will contemporary law and policy issues such as employment discrimination, sexual harassment, domestic violence, rape, reproductive justice, and family law. Also listed as POLI 171. (5 units)
189. Sex, Law, and Social Justice
This course examines contemporary issues in gender justice through a transnational feminist lens. The course will begin with a critical investigation of the dominant narratives that frequently underlie mainstream advocacy interventions, problematizing terms such as "victim," "oppressor," "rescue," and "third world," and calling into question the structural objectives of contemporary social justice movements. After establishing a theoretical framework in postcolonial/transnational legal studies, subsequent units will examine topics such as gender and national security, the war on terror, militarized sexual violence, trafficking, and reproductive rights. Readings will be drawn from materials that explore the visual, discursive, and ethical dimensions of human rights and other global advocacy strategies. (5 units)
190. Senior Capstone
Seminar focused on critical questions within the interdisciplinary field of women's and gender studies. Course will consider connections between the field and feminist politics/activism in the larger community. Prerequisites: Senior standing, declared WGST major or minor, and either WGST 101, WGST 102, or permission of instructor. (5 units)
198. Internship
Directed internship in local organizations addressing gender and/or sexuality issues. Open to qualified WGST majors and minors with permission of instructor. (1--5 units)
199. Directed Reading/Research
Independent projects undertaken by upper-division students with a faculty sponsor. To receive credit, the student must submit a formal written proposal and have it approved by the sponsoring faculty member and the program director. Written proposal must be submitted before the end of the previous quarter and must meet University requirements for independent study credit. (1--5 units)
Anthropology Courses
120. Middle East: Gender and Sexuality
Also listed as ANTH 187. For course description see ANTH 187.
144. Women, Gender, and Sexuality
Also listed as ANTH 170. For course description see ANTH 170.
155. Family, Kin, and Culture
Also listed as ANTH 157. For course description see ANTH 157.
Art and Art History Courses
156. Women's Work: American Women in the Visual Arts
Also listed as ARTH 143. For course description see ARTH 143.
Classics Courses
133. Love and Relationships in Classical Antiquity
Also listed as CLAS 141 and PHIL 141D. For course description see CLAS 141.
157. Gender in Antiquity
Also listed as CLAS 185. For course description see CLAS 185.
Communications Courses
102. Feminist Methods
Also listed as COMM 111G. For course description see COMM 111G.
105A. Body Politics
Also listed as COMM 119A. For course description see COMM 119A.
140. Gender, Health, and Sexuality
Also listed as COMM 106A. For course description see COMM 106A.
160. Vocation and Gender: Seeking Meaning in Work and Life
Also listed as COMM 101A. For course description see COMM 101A.
161. Communication and Gender
Also listed as COMM 108A. For course description see COMM 108A.
Dance Courses
62. Women in Dance History
Also listed as DANC 66. For course description see DANC 66.
162. Women in Dance History
Also listed as DANC 166. For course description see DANC 66.
Economic Courses
121. Gender Issues in the Developing World
Also listed as ECON 135. For course description see ECON 135.
English Courses
14. Introduction to African-American Literature and Gender
Introduction to African-American literatures. Also listed as ENGL 35G and ETHN 35. Note: ENGL 35 only cross-lists with WGST 14 if it is offered as 35G, which indicates a gender studies focus. For course description see ETHN 35. (4 units)
15. Literature by Women Writers of Color
Also listed as ENGL 69. For course description see ENGL 69.
16. Multicultural Literature of the United States
Short stories, film, autobiography, and poetry from many cultural communities in the United States. Also listed as ENGL 39G. Note: ENGL 39 only cross-lists with WGST 16 when it is offered as 39G, which indicates a gender studies focus. (4 units)
34. U.S. LGBTQ Literature
Also listed as ENGL 67. For course description see ENGL 67.
56. Literature and Women
Also listed as ENGL 68. For course description see ENGL 68.
110. Native American Women Writers
Study of selected works in Native American literature. Course may focus on particular authors, particular tribal or regional literatures, genres, or topics. Also listed as ENGL 137G. Note: ENGL 137 only cross-lists with WGST 110 when it is offered as 137G, which indicates a gender studies focus. (5 units)
122. LGBTQ Studies: Global Perspectives
Also listed as ENGL 153. For course description see ENGL 153.
122A. LGBTQ Studies: Global Perspectives
Also listed as ENGL 153A. For course description see ENGL 153A.
129. Global Literatures
Also listed as ENGL 56 For course description see ENGL 56.
134. Film, Gender, and Sexuality
Also listed as ENGL 122. For course description see ENGL 122.
134AW. Film, Gender, and Sexuality
Also listed as ENGL 122AW. For course description see ENGL 122AW.
136. LGBTQ Studies: U.S. Perspectives
Also listed as ENGL 152. For course description see ENGL 152.
141A. 18th-Century Women's British Literature
Also listed as ENGL 144G. For course description see ENGL 144G
163. Feminist Literary and Cultural Theory
Also listed as ENGL 125. For course description see ENGL 125.
164. 19th-Century American Literature
Studies of selected American works from the 19th century. Also listed as ENGL 132G. Note: ENGL 132 only cross lists with WGST 164 when it is offered as 132G, which indicates a gender studies focus. (5 units)
165. Women and Gender in American Literature
May focus on periods, movements, themes, or issues. Also listed as ENGL 139G. Note: ENGL 139 only cross-lists with WGST 165 when it is offered as 139G, which indicates a gender studies focus. (5 units)
166. Women, Literature, and Theory
Also listed as ENGL 169. For course description see ENGL 169.
Ethnic Studies Courses
14. Introduction to African-American Literature
Also listed as ETHN 35 and ENGL 35. For course description see ETHN 35.
16. Multicultural Literatures of the United States
Also listed as ETHN 70. For course description see ETHN 70.
111. Asian-American Women
Also listed as ETHN 141. For course description see ETHN 141.
112. Women of Color in the United States
Also listed as ETHN 154. For course description see ETHN 154.
114. Race, Gender, Class, and the College Experience
Also listed as ETHN 157. For course description see ETHN 157.
115. Race, Class, and Gender in the United States
Also listed as ETHN 151 and SOCI 153. For course description see SOCI 153.
History Courses
57. Women in American Society
Also listed as HIST 84. For course description see HIST 84.
124. Sex and Gender in the Age of High Imperialism
Also listed as HIST 116S. For course description see HIST 116S.
125. Women in Political Revolutions
Also listed as HIST 143S. For course description see HIST 143S.
126. Gender and Sexuality in East Asia
Also listed as HIST 150. For course description see HIST 150.
127. Gender and Rights in the Modern Era
Also listed as HIST 138S. For course description see HIST 138S.
137. History of Sexuality
Also listed as HIST 133. For course description see HIST 133.
138. Gays and Lesbians in United States History
Also listed as HIST 177. For course description see HIST 177.
169. Revolution in Sex, Race, and Rights
Also listed as HIST 115S. For course description see HIST 115S.
172. Gender and National Identity in 20th-Century Eastern and Western Europe
Also listed as HIST 136. For course description see HIST 136.
173. United States Women Since 1900
Also listed as HIST 181. For course description see HIST 181.
Modern Languages and Literature Courses
123. Sub-Saharan African/Caribbean Women Writers
Also listed as FREN 113. For course description see FREN 113.
175. French and Francophone French Novels and Films: Culture, Gender, and Social Classes
Also listed as FREN 174. For course description see FREN 174.
176. Women in French Literature: Authors and Characters
Also listed as FREN 182. For course description see FREN 182.
177. 20th- and 21st-Century French Women Writers
Also listed as FREN 183. For course description see FREN 183.
179. Women in German Literature: Authors and Characters
Also listed as GERM 182. For course description see GERM 182.
185. 20th-Century Italian Women Writers
Also listed as ITAL 182. For course description see ITAL 182.
Philosophy Courses
58. Ethics and Gender
Also listed as PHIL 23 For course description see PHIL 23.
119. Feminist Political Theory
Also listed as PHIL 129. For course description see PHIL 129.
133. Love and Relationships in Classical Antiquity
Also listed as CLAS 141 and PHIL 141D. For course description see CLAS 141.
184. Feminism and Ethics
Also listed as PHIL 120. For course description see PHIL 120.
Political Science Courses
118. Women and Law (this topic only)
Also listed as POLI 171. For course description see WGST 118.
119. Feminist Political Theory
Also listed as POLI 106. For course description see POLI 106.
180. Women and Politics
Also listed as POLI 154. For course description see POLI 154.
Public Health Courses
32. Women's Health
Also listed at PHSC 11. For course description see PHSC 11.
33. Human Sexuality
Also listed as PHSC 28. For course description see PHSC 28.
131. Race, Class, Gender, and Public Health
Also listed as PHSC 125. For course description see PHSC 125.
Religious Studies Courses
21. Women in the Hebrew Bible
Also listed as SCTR 28. For course description see SCTR 28.
44. Sex and Spirituality in Latinx Theologies
Also listed as TESP 59. For course description see TESP 59.
46. Gender in Early Christianity
Also listed as SCTR 26. For course description see SCTR 26.
47. Biblical Women and Power
Also listed as SCTR 39. For course description see SCTR 39.
48. Women in Christian Tradition
Also listed as TESP 79. For course description see TESP 79.
142. Women and Buddhism from a U.S. Standpoint
Also listed as RSOC 109. For course description see RSOC 109.
145. Gender and Judaism
Also listed as RSOC 168. For course description see RSOC 168.
146. Religion, Gender, and Globalization
Also listed as RSOC 170. For course description see RSOC 170.
147. Postcolonial Perspectives on the New Testament
Also listed as SCTR 158. For course description see SCTR 158.
148. Gender and Sex in Biblical Interpretations
Also listed as SCTR 165. For course description see SCTR 165.
149. Feminist Theologies
Also listed as TESP 131. For course description see TESP 131.
151. Women's Theologies from the Margins
Also listed as TESP 175. For course description see TESP 175.
152. Mexican Popular Catholicism and Gender
Also listed as ETHN 129 and RSOC 139. For course description see ETHN 129 or RSOC 139.
153. The Bible and Empire
Also listed as SCTR 157. For course description see SCTR 157.
Sociology Courses
115. Race, Class, and Gender in the United States
Also listed as SOCI 153. For course description see SOCI 153.
128. Women and Social Change in Latin America
Also listed as SOCI 135. For course description see SOCI 135.
181. Women and Men in the Workplace
Also listed as SOCI 152. For course description see SOCI 152.
182. Sociology of Family
Also listed as SOCI 157. For course description see SOCI 157.
188. Gender and Justice
Also listed as SOCI 162. For course description see SOCI 162.
Theatre Courses
139. Gender and Performance
Also listed as THTR 167. For course description see THTR 167.
183. Fashion, Politics, and Issues of Gender
Also listed as THTR 151. For course description see THTR 151.