| COURSES |
As we update our curriculum to meet
the demands of this rapidly changing world, we focus on the following
general themes:
Economic Globalization and Transnational Feminism (Introduction
to Women’s
Studies, Women and Work, Women of the Middle East, Transnational Feminism)
Identities and Intersectionality (Women of Color; Black Women in the United States;
La Mujer Chicana; Asian American Women; Native American Women; Mother, Woman,
Person; Sex Role Stereotyping in America; Sociology of Gender; Seminar in Gender
Roles)
Politics and Social Movements (Introduction to Women’s
Movements; Feminist Theory; Gender, Race, and Class; Women and Politics in Contemporary
America)
The Humanities (Feminism and the Spirit, Women in Art, Women
in Mass Media, Philosophy
and Feminism, History of American Women) |
WOMS 110 |
Introduction
to the Women’s Movements in Contemporary Society
An examination of women’s issues in the current women’s movements.
Emphasis is in a detailed examination of feminist topics important
to women today.
3 units |
WOMS 115 |
Introduction
to Women’s Studies
Introduction to the origins and models of Women’s Studies. Explores
the significance of a new field of study, and examines methods
of interdisciplinary study. Provides an opportunity to read a
number of Women’s Studies “classics” and to trace the development
of feminist theory.
3 units |
WOMS 120 |
Mother, Woman, Person
An application of feminist analyses to the role of mother in this
culture. Focuses on the evolution of the institution of motherhood
over the last two hundred years and its effects upon the lives
of our mothers and ourselves.
3 units |
WOMS 121 |
Women of the Middle East
A study of the historical as well as contemporary conditions affecting
women’s lives and contributions to Middle Eastern society. Modules
on women in the family, on religious thought and law, on political
life, on social movements, on economic activity, and on the arts
provide a framework for the course. Cross-listed with HIST 121,
only one of these courses may be counted for credit.
3 units |
WOMS 132 |
A Society of Women
Examines the theoretical concepts and topics relevant to the issues
of bonding between women. Topics include an in-depth analysis
of lesbian cultures and politics, historical examples of women-loving-women,
kinship bonds, friendship between women, and barriers to bonding,
such as racism, classism, and homophobia.
3 units |
WOMS 136 |
Gender, Race, and Class
Course is designed to examine the effects of dynamic interaction
of gender, race, and class on women. The social constriction of
gender, race, and class will also be examined. Other topics to
be discussed and researched are the effects of sexism, racism,
and classism on institutions such as academia, business, government,
religion, and social movements. The course also provides an analysis
of effective techniques to end sexism, racism, and classism.
Prerequisite: Passing score on the WPE
3 units |
WOMS 137 |
Women of Color
Examines the social, economic, and cultural uniqueness of various
ethnic groups in the United States. Includes discussion of definitions
of sexism, racism, economic exploitation, feminism, and the nature
and evolution of the women’s movement in relation to women of
color.
3 units |
WOMS 138 |
Women and Work
Explores topics basic to discussion of women’s paid and unpaid
work from historical and cross-cultural perspectives. Consideration
is given to popular conceptions and stereotypes of work and “women’s
issues” in the industrialized world; the private and public lives
of women and men with emphasis on work and social realities; and
the maintenance of patriarchy under capitalism, socialism, communism,
with some possible feminist “solutions.”
Prerequisite: Passing score on the WPE
3 units |
WOMS 139 |
Violence Against Women
This course will consider from a feminist perspective the forms
of violence directed at women. It will also look at contemporary
attitudes towards women, children, power, aggression and sexuality
in order to examine how these attitudes affect the rates and types
of crimes directed at women. Topics include sexual assault; child
abuse; medical violence; psychiatric violence; economic violence;
suicide and self-hatred; pornography; violence in the media; etc.
The course will also examine the ways in which women are individually
and collectively combating violence.
3 units |
WOMS 144 |
Women and Theatre: Staging Diversity
A class that includes study of recent feminist performance theory
and criticism and its application to acting, directing, and writing
for the theatre. Students will participate in both lecture/discussion
and activities, including the creation of a final performance.
Lecture two hours; lab two hours. Cross-listed with DRAM 144;
only one of these courses may be counted for credit.
3 units |
WOMS 145 |
Feminism and the Spirit
Provides a critique of traditional patriarchal religions and traces
women’s participation in the evolution of the human spirit. Consideration
is given to the history of Goddess religion and its resurgence
in the contemporary world; sexism in institutionalized religious
and the current advances women and making in the churches; and
dimensions of woman spirit incorporated in the art, music &
literature of today’s feminist artists.
3 units |
WOMS 146 |
Women in Art
A study of the unique and important contributions of women to
the visual arts (Renaissance to present) and their personal struggle
toward success and recognition. The Women’s Art Movement and its
impact on education, museums and women’s status in the arts are
important topics of this class.
3 units |
WOMS 147 |
International Feminist Trends
This course provides a historical overview, as well as in-depth
studies of the similarities and differences in feminist developments
from an international perspective. Examples will be drawn from
industrialized democracies, centrally planned socialist states,
and third world countries. Pluralistic trends in feminist development
within countries will also be examined with a view to understanding
the differential impact of gender based discrimination on different
categories of women.
3 units |
WOMS 166 |
Women and Politics in Contemporary America
An examination and evaluation of several approaches to moment’s
equality in America today. A brief historical examination of the
political aspects of the women’s movement. A more thorough examination
of the various factions; moderate, radical and revolutionary.
Such approaches as community projects, electoral politics, consciousness
raising, separatism and violent revolution will all be individually
considered. Open to both sexes. Cross-listed as GOVT 166; only
one may be counted for credit.
3 units |
WOMS 170 |
Topic in Feminism
Current topics relevant to women’s lives will vary widely from
semester to semester. Emphasizes current developments in feminist
scholarship as well as current socio-political changes relevant
to women. May be repeated for credit provided topic is not repeated.
3 units |
WOMS 180 |
Seminar in Feminist Theory
An advanced course providing detailed inquiry into specific feminist
theories, including their conceptual framework and development,
relationship to other political theories and application to the
current practices of feminism.
Prerequisite: WOMS 110 or permission of instructor.
3 units |
WOMS 181 |
Seminar in Gender Roles
An advanced seminar designed to help students understand women’s
and men’s behaviors by studying their historical and contemporary
roles. Students will learn and apply a critical approach toward
social institutions, beliefs, customs, social trends and socio-economic
conditions and their effect on women and men. Critically examines
research results and statistics and assesses multidisciplinary
theories and methodologies used in the study of gender roles.
Prerequisite: SOC 1 or WOMS 115
3 units |
WOMS 186 |
American Women in Media and the Arts
Studies the impact of change upon the images, roles, and perceptions
of women in selected examples of American art, literature, music,
advertising, television, film, comics, and other areas of popular
culture. The arts and media are studied in relation to each other
in the light of feminist theory and in their social and cultural
context. Designed for students who want a more advanced interdisciplinary
approach to women’s issues and images.
Prerequisite: One course in Women’s Studies (code or service)
and one course in message analysis of media or the arts (such
as COMS 100B, HRS 180 or 185, WOMS 146, etc).Cross-listed as
COMS
186 and HRS 186, and can be counted only once for credit.
3 units |
WOMS
195A |
Fieldwork
in Women’s Studies
Supervised experience in selected women’s organizations and projects
in the Sacramento area; for example, the Rape Crisis Center, Women
Escaping A Violent Environment (WEAVE), Women’s Resource Center.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Graded Credit/No
Credit.
1 - 3 units |
WOMS 196 |
Experimental
Offerings in Women’s Studies
Several courses are offered under this number. Some are small
seminars, some regular lecture-discussion classes. They are designed
to study a subject of particular interest to an instructor, to
students and to allow exploration of a topic of timely concern.
Students may take any number of these courses, provided they differ
in subject. The Schedule of Classes each semester will show the
classes and the topics covered at the time. Course descriptions
will be available in the Department office before the semester
begins.
3 units |
WOMS 199 |
Special Problems
Supervised individual research projects or directed reading specifically
related to Women’s Studies topics. Should be taken by students
who can work on an individual basis.
Prerequisite: WOMS 115 and instructor permission.
1 - 3 units |
WOMS 299 |
Special Research Problems
Supervised research projects and directed study specifically related
to Women’s Studies and taken on an individual basis by Graduate
students in the Special Major Graduate Program.
1 - 3 units |
