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Women's Studies

Overview

Women's Studies affirms and makes students aware of women's contributions and roles throughout history, around the world, and across disciplines. Firmly rooted in the liberal arts, Women's Studies makes explicit the connections between learning and life, in this case between learning and living as a woman. Both women and men major in Women's Studies, and all students discover their voices and link these voices to critical thinking and empowerment. Based upon courses from cooperating departments of the college and designed to introduce the field to students, the program enables students to gain an understanding of the implications of gender in the formation of knowledge and the shaping of one's life.

Requirements for the Major

A Major in Women's Studies consists of nine courses: Women's Studies 121, Women's Studies 399 (to be taken in the spring of the senior year), plus seven additional courses, one of which must be at Level III (may be Independent Research), agreed upon by the student and the Coordinator of Women's Studies. The seven courses beyond Women's Studies 121 and Women's Studies 399 shall include at least one course from each of the following areas: (1) Applied, Behavioral, or Natural Sciences; (2) Literature and the Arts; (3) Religious/Historical Traditions. Paracollege semester-long tutorials and seminars may be used in place of regular college course work upon approval of the Coordinator of Women's Studies.

In special cases, majors and concentrators may receive credit for non-Women's Studies designated courses with the approval of the instructor and Women's Studies Coordinator.

Requirements for the Concentration

A concentration in Women's Studies consists of Women's Studies 121 and four additional courses, one of which must be a Level III, drawn from at least three departments. Paracollege tutorials and seminars may be used upon approval of the Coordinator of Women's Studies.

General Education Credit

Women's Studies courses that fulfill General Education Requirements are listed in the Class and Lab Schedule.

Prerequisites

See individual course descriptions under departmental offerings for prerequisites. Women's Studies 121 may be taken at any time; however, it is suggested that students take it as early as possible in their program.

Special Programs

Internship opportunities are available. Women's Studies majors and concentrators have worked with women's health organizations, in shelters for victims of domestic violence, and as aides to women in political office. See the Coordinator of Women's Studies or the Women's Resource Center. See Index for general information on internships.

Recommendations for Graduate or Professional Study

Students wishing to pursue graduate study in Women's Studies should consider a disciplinary major in addition to their Women's Studies major. A Women's Studies major or concentration is compatible with a wide variety of other majors and professional goals.

Courses

121 Introduction to Women's Studies
This overview examines the fundamental as well as thought-provoking themes integral to Women's Studies: women's health, the changing roles of women within larger society and the home, women's spirituality, women in the military, women and education, for example. Students are at the center of the course and learn collaboratively, and emphasis is placed on achieving personal awareness as well as scholarly knowledge. Required for the Women's Studies major and concentration, this course is designed for students who seek a fuller understanding of themselves as women (and men) and who seek to understand the relationship of women to intellectual, cultural, and social life.

298 Independent Study

398 Independent Research

399 Advanced Topics in Women's Studies
In this focused and in-depth study of the varieties of women's experiences across cultures, students read advanced feminist theory and expand the lens through which they view the experiences of women. Geographical and cultural emphasis may vary, concentrating on Women of the African Diaspora one year, for example, and Asian and Asian-American women another year. The emphasis for 1996-97 will be on European Women and Imperialism in Africa and Asia. The course provides a capstone experience whereby students can integrate their studies on women's experiences across disciplines, and can become more aware of the intricate web of gender, race, culture, and class that informs all of these.

Approved Courses for 1996-97

The following seminars have been approved for Women's Studies credit in 1996-97:

Paracollege Seminars

The following Paracollege seminars have been approved for Women's Studies credit and are open to general college students in 1996-97:

Faculty

Olivia Frey (Director)
Associate Professor of English, Paracollege Tutor, 1982-

Deborah J. Anderson
Associate Professor of Psychology, Paracollege Tutor, 1980-

John D. Barbour
Professor of Religion, 1982-

Jo Beld
Associate Professor of Political Science, Paracollege Tutor, 1984-

Anthony Becker
Associate Professor of Economics, 1987-

David Booth
Associate Professor of Religion, Paracollege Tutor, 1985-

Mary Carlsen
Associate Professor of Social Work, 1989-

J. Laurel Carrington
Associate Professor of History, Paracollege Tutor, 1988-

Karen Cherawatuk
Associate Professor of English, 1986-

Mary Cisar
Associate Professor of Romance Languages, Paracollege Tutor, 1978-

Janet Contursi
Associate Professor of Anthropology, Paracollege Tutor, 1989-

Robert Entenmann
Professor of History, 1982-

Michael Fitzgerald
Associate Professor of History, 1986-

Rita Glazebrook
Associate Professor of Nursing, 1981-

Jeanine Grenberg
Assistant Professor of Philosophy, 1996-

Mary Griep
Assistant Professor of Art, 1989-

Vicki Lynn Harper
Assistant Professor of Philosophy, Paracollege Tutor, 1979-

Carol Holly
Professor of English, Paracollege Tutor, 1975-

C. George Holt
Associate Professor of Family Resources, 1972-

Walter (Terry) Hoops
Assistant Professor of Anthropology, 1990-

Frieda Knobloch
Assistant Professor of History, 1994-

Judy Kutulas
Associate Professor of History and American Studies, Paracollege Tutor, 1989-

L. DeAne Lagerquist
Associate Professor, Senior Paracollege Tutor, 1988-

Michael Leming
Professor of Sociology, 1971-72, 1975-

Naurine Lennox
Associate Professor of Social Work, 1977-

Patricia Lewis
Librarian, Associate Professor, 1973-

Susan H. Lindley
Professor of Religion, 1976-

Donna McMillan
Assistant Professor of Psychology, 1994-

Jamie Monson
Assistant Professor of History, 1991-

Bruce Nordstrom
Associate Professor of Sociology, Paracollege Tutor, 1982-

Margaret Hayford O'Leary
Associate Professor of Norwegian, 1977-

Dolores Peters
Associate Professor of History, 1986-

Samiha Peterson
Professor of Sociology, 1972-

Matthew Rohn
Assistant Professor of Art, Paracollege Tutor, 1994-

Mary Ellen Ross
Associate Professor of Psychology, 1977-

Lauri J. Sammartano
Assistant Professor of Biology, 1993-
Mary Titus
Associate Professor of English, 1989-

Ann Wagner
Professor of Dance, 1961-

Pin P. Wan
Associate Professor of Chinese, 1987-

Abby Werlock
Associate Professor of English, 1987-

Solveig Zempel
Associate Professor of Norwegian, 1976-