Course Descriptions

One of the greatest strengths of Concordia's women's studies program - through which you can earn a minor in women's studies - is its interdisciplinary approach. Through our program, you can take a wide variety of courses taught all across campus. From psychology and history to sociology and theatre, you'll have plenty of opportunities to explore theories and issues from many perspectives.

SPRING 2012 COURSE OFFERINGS

Course

Title

CR

Time

Room

Instructor

PHIL 337

Philosophy of Feminism

4

MWF 10:30 am-11:40 am

BW 44

Susan O'Shaughnessy

FREN 223

Race, Gender, & Power

4

T/R 10:30-12:10

BW 49

 Gay Rawson

PSYC 384

Life Of A Psychologist: Women in Science

2

T/R 12:50 pm-02:30 pm

 IVERS 210

Susan Larson

SOC 332

Society and Human Sexuality

4

MWF 11:50 am-01:00 pm

 OLD MAIN 302 Natalie Peluso





 










COURSES THAT EARN WOMEN'S STUDIES CREDIT

WS 201 U – (REQUIRED) Women's Studies: Frameworks and Issues, 4 credits. E. This course is an introduction to the study of women and theories of gender from different disciplinary and cultural perspectives. It is designed to help students achieve a more complex and inclusive portrait of humanity by using gender as a category of analysis, along with other variables such as race, ethnicity, class and sexuality. Students will be introduced to feminist theory and scholarship, in addition to exploring issues such as family and work, creativity and spirituality, women's reproductive health and women's relationships to their bodies. This course will explore differences among women both in the U.S. and globally.

PHIL 337 – Philosophy of Feminism, 4 credits. D. An inquiry into feminist philosophies, especially as they apply and critique traditional philosophical positions in ethics, epistemology and metaphysics. Some theorists argue that the nature of philosophy itself, its procedures, methods and line of questioning, are skewed because of the patriarchal construction of the discipline. The political and theoretical landscape is transected by others who accuse popular feminism of sharing biases along lines of class and race. Authors studied may include Harriet Taylor, Simone de Beauvoir, Virginia Woolf, Marilyn Frye, Judith Butler, bell hooks, Patricia Hill Collins, María Lugones and Audre Lorde. Students will be asked to evaluate these positions and to articulate a position of their own.

FREN 223 – Race, Gender and Power in the Francophone World, 4 credits. D. This course, taught in English, examines literatures of both European and Francophone (primarily African) writers. Students will develop an understanding of the impact of racial, gender and economic relationships on the peoples of the French-speaking world.

HIST 344 G, H – Women and Development: The Asian Experience, 4 credits. A1 (2011-2012 ). This course compares the experience of women in multiple cultures during the 19th and 20th centuries. Various ideologies, as well as different forms of political, economic and social organization, will be analyzed to discern their effect on women. A variety of historical sources will be examined and there will be a research assignment.

PSYC 383 U – Psychology of Gender, 4 credits. E1. The course focuses on gender as a factor in the human experience. The course is designed to be taken after completing at least one introductory level psychology course, or a relevant social sciences course in another discipline. Students will study research investigations of gender and whether or not gender differences exist, as well as consider how race, ethnicity and class interact with each other to produce individual differences in the human experience. Topics studied include stereotypes, gender development, politics and work, and "isms" such as sexism, racism, heterosexism and classism. Special emphasis is given to methodology, research findings, and theory in explaining how and why individuals differ. Prerequisite: PSYC 111 – Introductory Psychology or PSYC 212 – Educational Psychology or another relevant social science course

PSYC 384 – The Life of a Psychologist: Women in Science Making the Links Between their Work and their World, 2 credits. D. This course revolves around the professional and personal lives of prominent female psychologists who are in different stages of their careers. Students will learn about the scientific contribution of their work, as well as the challenges and rewards they have experienced in their careers and personal lives. Women's issues that are addressed include: balancing a career and a life, finding a voice, evaluating affirmative action, and developing an identity. Psychological research topics may include: research methods, false memories, social support, language development, nervous system plasticity, and gender research. Students can receive psychology or women's studies credit. Prerequisite: PSYC 111 – Introductory Psychology or PSYC 212 – Educational Psychology

SOC 332 – Society and Human Sexuality, 4 credits. E2. The course examines the origin of sexual values and practices in various cultures. The primary focus is on sexual attitudes and behavior in the American culture. Human sexuality is discussed relative to the human life cycle, changing gender roles, mass media, the economic system, laws and other areas.

SOC 317 U – Gender, Self and Society, 4 credits. E1. An examination of the social, historical and psychological aspects of gender and human behavior. The course explores how gender has influenced our lives since industrialization. Research on socialization, moral and intellectual development, intimate relationships, sexuality, family life, and education will be examined.

SPAN 325 – Hispanic Women Writers, 2 credits. E1. A study of contemporary Spanish and Latin American women writers with emphasis on feminist literary theory. The course may also fulfill requirements for a women's studies minor. Prerequisites: SPAN 320 – Spanish Grammar in Context and SPAN 321 – Composition and Conversation in Cultural Contexts or permission of the instructor

THR 323 – Women and Theatre, 4 credits. A1 (2011-2012). This course focuses on women’s work, lives and ways of creating theatre. Students will study the conditions and practices in which women create theatre, as well as particular women artists. As a part of the coursework, students will engage in discussion and write journals to further develop their artistic identities. This course is part of the women’s studies program.

WS 380 – Special Topics, 2 to 4 credits. D. Courses covering various topics of interest in this particular discipline may be offered. Contact program director for more information.

WS 390 – Cooperative Education, 1 to 8 credits. D.

WS 480 – Independent Study, 2 to 4 credits. D. This course provides an opportunity for individual students to conduct in-depth research of a particular topic under the direct supervision of a faculty member. Contact the program director for more information.

WS 490 – Practicum, 2 to 4 credits. D.

APPLY FOR WOMEN'S STUDIES CREDIT FOR THESE COURSES:

SPAN 423 – Topics in Spanish Literature, 2 credits. E. Selected topics addressing the nature and complexity of thought, aesthetics, and social reality in any period of Spanish history, as exemplified by a particular group of literary texts. All activities conducted in Spanish. Topics could focus on a selected genre or period, a major literary figure, a canonical work, a theme or a Spanish play performance, including the study of dramatic literature related to the play to be performed. Repeat credit is allowed for varying topics. Prerequisites: SPAN 320 – Spanish Grammar in Context and SPAN 321 – Composition and Conversation in Cultural Contexts or permission of the instructor

REL 244 U – Religion and Popular Culture, 4 credits. A1 or A2 (2011-2012). This course is a study of the interrelationship between religion and contemporary popular culture. This course will analyze how religious faith shapes culture, as well as how contemporary popular culture affects the understanding and expression of religious faith. It will focus upon the portrayal of religious faith in contemporary expressions of culture in mass media (e.g. print, film, television, music and computer technology), social issues and institutions. The course will introduce students to the variety of religious and theological understandings currently present in American society. Students will learn how to do theological analysis and critique of popular cultural movements and expressions.

REL 484 :Capstone: Aliens, Strangers and Others Z. We live in a world of difference.  From science fiction to religion, from philosophy to politics, "alien," "stranger," and "other" mark boundaries of self, belonging and safety.  Through readings, film, music, observation and experiential learning we will explort the content of these identities, the role of attraction and fear in drawing the boundaries, and the factor of "difference" in responsible engagement in the world. The class is interdisciplinary and open to students of all majors.

REL 382 J, G – Religion and the Body, 4 credits. E1 or E2. This course explores the role of the human body in world religions (especially Buddhism but also Hinduism, Christianity, Taoism, Islam and indigenous religions) and in contemporary American culture. It examines the ambiguity of the body in these contexts: its function as both an obstacle and a vehicle on the path toward spiritual growth and well-being. This ambiguity raises a number of interesting questions about the relationship between "mind," "body" and "spirit," and students will explore these questions not only through assigned readings, papers and discussions but also through the study of Aikido, a Japanese martial art that emphasizes the neutralization of aggressive force through non-destructive resolutions. Students who enroll in this course must sign up for PED 112, which meets Monday and Wednesday evenings for an hour throughout the semester. Aikido training instills a sense of personal and social responsibility, which students will engage through a service-learning project.



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