GWS 1501 Introduction to Gender and Women's Studies
Credits: 3
Goal Areas: 05,7A,7B
Course Outline 1501 (PDF)
This course introduces students to the foundations of Gender and Women Studies by examining the diversity of women's experiences throughout history and across cultures, races, ethnic groups and religions. From a social science/humanities perspective, we will explore how factors such as gender, gender identity and sexuality have been shaped by Western society.
This course will explore human trafficking from a feminist perspective. We will analyze the behavior of traffickers and the ways this crime affects our global economy. Students will gain an overall understanding of modern-day slavery and the issues we face regarding this crime.
This course offers students the opportunity to explore the origins of gender identity. We will examine cultural assumptions about gender in the United States. We will also identify political and historical influences on our definitions and expectations about gender.
This course investigates the ways gender and war shape one another. We will discuss the ways individuals have exercised agency in unequal power structures during armed conflict. We will examine the ways marginalized genders have been excluded in written history regarding war and military conflict.
This course will introduce students to issues related to feminism around the world. We will analyze gender inequality cross-culturally. We will also examine efforts to accomplish social justice for women and girls worldwide.