WSTD 1010 - Foundations of Women’s Studies

Goals: To introduce students to the interdisciplinary academic field of women’s studies, including an introduction to feminism and feminist theory. It is designed to raise awareness of women’s status and women’s gender diversity; to critically examine disciplines and social practices through the lens of feminist theory; to recover past achievements of women and survey the work women now do; to expand personal perspectives; and to provide a basis for critical evaluation of future learning.

Content: This course aims to address the absence of women, their work, and their lives from traditional academic and professional fields, and to use feminist theory to analyze the sources and impact of this absence. It provides an overview of women’s status in contemporary and historical periods, various disciplines’ theories about women and gender, and women as agents of social transformation.

Taught: Annually

Credits: 4