http://www.stolaf.edu/depts/womens-studies/

Director, 2012-13: Diane LeBlanc (Interdisciplinary Studies), writing, women's studies

Faculty, 2012-13: Ibtesam âl-Atiyat (Sociology/Anthropology), Islamic feminisms; David Booth (Religion), theology (on leave); Maggie A. Broner (Romance Languages), Hispanic and applied linguistics, Spanish in the U.S.; Laurel Carrington (History), medieval, Renaissance and Reformation; Karen Cherewatuk (English), Anglo Saxon, medieval literature; Devyani Chandran (Social Work and Family Studies), family studies, social policy, research; Jan C. Hill (English), writing, children's literature, journalism; Carol Holly (English), women's literature; Abdulai Iddrisu (History), African history, Islam, gender; Judy Kutulas (History), U.S. Women's History, media, culture; Rebecca Richards (English), rhetoric, composition, and transnational gender studies; Sherry Saterstrom (Dance), dance/movement technique, somatic studies, improvisation ensemble; Ryan Sheppard (Sociology/Anthropology), family, gender, race/ethnicity, social movements, quantitative research; Corliss Swain (Philosophy), Hume, metaphysics, philosophy of mind, value theory; Nancy Thompson (Art and Art History), art history; Mary Titus (English), women's literature, sexuality studies; Mary Trull (English), 16th- and 17th-century literature

Women’s and gender studies, an interdisciplinary program, focuses on the significance of gender in the formation of knowledge and human experience, as well as to enrich our understanding of women’s lives and consider the conditions necessary to create a more equitable world.

overview of the major and concentration

Majors and concentrators take a range of courses in the humanities and social and natural sciences, as well as in the women’s and gender studies program. Students explore the new scholarship about gender and gain an understanding of a variety of gender experiences across cultures and throughout history.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES FOR THE MAJOR

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR

A major in women’s and gender studies consists of nine credits: Women’s and Gender Studies 121, Women’s and Gender Studies 399 (to be taken in the spring of the senior year), plus seven additional courses, one of which must be at level III. These seven courses shall include at least one course from each of the following areas: (1) theory and methods applicable to studying gender, (2) gender in historical contexts, (3) gender in a global, comparative, or diverse contexts.. One course must focus on women's lived experiences. No more than two courses from other institutions may count toward the major.

With the approval of the instructor and the director of women’s and gender studies, women's and gender studies majors may apply toward their program courses not designated as approved courses via petition.

Majors who entered St. Olaf College before the fall of 2012 may opt to follow the requirements for the women's studies major, which are: Women's and Gender Studies 121, Women's and Gender Studies 399 (to be taken in the spring of the senior year), plus seven additional courses, one of which must be at level III. These seven courses shall include at least one course from each of the following areas: (1) social or natural sciences, (2) literature, languages, or the arts, (3) religious, historical, or philosophical traditions. No more than two courses taken elsewhere may be counted toward the major.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CONCENTRATION

Many students enhance their work in a major through an interdisciplinary focus on women and gender. A concentration in women’s and gender studies consists of Women’s and Gender Studies 121 and four additional courses, three of which must be at level II or III, drawn from at least three departments.

With the approval of the instructor and the director of women’s and gender studies, concentrators may apply toward their program courses not designated as approved women’s and gender studies courses. Students who apply partial-credit courses toward the concentration must still complete the minimum number of required credits. No more than one course taken elsewhere may be counted toward the concentration.

DISTINCTION

Distinction in women's and gender studies should represent in some tangible way the culmination of interdisciplinary and/or theoretical work in the program. Interested seniors are invited to submit papers or projects in the spring in consultation with the program director.

COURSES

121 Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies

Required for the women's and gender studies major and concentration, this course introduces students to the concept of gender as a category of analysis. It is designed for students who seek a fuller understanding of themselves as women and men and a wider knowledge of the experiences and achievements of women. Offered each semester. Counts towards American studies major. Required for the women's and gender studies major and concentration, this course introduces students to the concept of gender as a category of analysis. It is designed for students who seek a fuller understanding of themselves as women and men and a wider knowledge of the experiences and achievements of women. Offered each semester. Counts towards American studies major.

294 Internships

298 Independent Study

394 Internships

396 Directed Undergraduate Research: "Topic Description"

This course provides a comprehensive research opportunity, including an introduction to relevant background material, technical instruction, identification of a meaningful project, and data collection. The topic is determined by the faculty member in charge of the course and may relate to his/her research interests. Prerequisite: Determined by individual instructor. Offered based on department decision. May be offered as a 1.00 credit course or .50 credit course. This course provides a comprehensive research opportunity, including an introduction to relevant background material, technical instruction, identification of a meaningful project, and data collection. The topic is determined by the faculty member in charge of the course and may relate to his/her research interests. Prerequisite: determined by individual instructor. Offered based on department decision. May be offered as a 1.00 credit course or .50 credit course.

398 Independent Research

399 Advanced Topics in Women's and Gender Studies

The course provides a capstone to the major. Taught as a seminar, it offers an opportunity for students to integrate their studies of women and gender across disciplines and to become more aware of the intricate web of gender, race, culture, and class that informs women's experiences. Prerequisite: Women's and Gender Studies 121. Offered annually in the spring semester.

courses that count toward the women’s and gender studies major and concentration

Topics courses listed below are acceptable only if the topic is appropriate; check with the director of women's and gender studies. Other courses not included in this list may also be acceptable, depending on the relevance of their content, and may be approved in consultation with the director of women’s and gender studies.

Theory and methods courses:

American Studies 100: Perspectives in American Culture
Art 277: Women in Art
English 340: Topic: Money and American Literature
History 320: Race, Gender and Medicine
Philosophy 245: Philosophy and Feminism
Psychology 390: Intimate Relationships
Psychology 396: Relationships
Religion 209: Introduction to Feminist Theology
Sociology/Anthropology 235: Introduction to Islamic Feminisms

Women and Gender in global, comparative, or diverse contexts:

French 372: Topic: Women and Identity in Literature of the Maghreb
History 121: Making Modern Russia
History 189: Topic: Women in African Colonial History
History 191: Modern Europe
History 224: Modern Germany
History 231: 20th Century Russian
History 237: Women in Medieval Europe
History 239: Women and Gender in Modern Europe
History 320: Nation and Empire in Russian History
Philosophy 245: Philosophy and Feminism
Psychology 223: Exploring India: Human Development in Cross Cultural Context
Psychology 241 A&B: Development Psychology
Religion 209: Introduction to Feminist Theology
Sociology/Anthropology 128: Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
Sociology/Anthropology 235: Introduction to Islamic Feminisms
Sociology/Anthropology 260: Marriage and the Family
Spanish 250A: Gateway to the Spanish-Speaking World

Women and Gender in historical contexts:

Dance 246: Dance in the United States
English 246: Women's Literature
English 340: Topic: Sex, Madness and Marriage
English 340: Topic: Money and American Literature
History 122: Europe and the Great War
History 182: America Since 1945
History 189: Topic: Women in African Colonial History
History 320: Race, Gender and Medicine
Religion 209: Introduction to Feminist Theology
Religion 264: Theology and Sexuality
Sociology/Anthropology 246: GLBT Lives and Issues

Elective courses:

American Conversations 202: Pursuits of Happiness
Biology 124: Biology of Women
Norwegian 282: Ibsen
Nursing 386: Perinatal Health
Psychology 350: Development in Diverse Families
Social Work 120: I Want to Help People

Courses that might count by a petition:

Biology 275: Biology of Reproduction
English 242: Children's Literature
Latin 370: Ovid's Love Poetry
Media 260: Media in Contemporary Culture
Religion 260: Religion in America