Course Descriptions

 
WS 100 Women Today: Contemporary Women's Issues [  7I  7 ] (3)
Fall: All Years        Spring: All Years       
This course will examine current issues affecting women in American Society. It also addresses pertinent topics related to gender, diversity and systems of inequality. Topics include women and work, family, law and social policy, gender and mass media, violence against women, sexuality and the body, and women's health. Core class for Women's Studies Minor program.


WS 219 Sociology of Sexual Behavior (3)
Spring: All Years       
Examines sociological and social psychological perspectives and research on sexual behavior. Topics include childhood sexual behavior, adolescent sexual behavior, sex and mate selection, marital sex, extramarital sex, and various forms of sexual variation. Same as SOC 219.
Prerequisite:  SOC 110 

WS 235 Philosophy of Sex and Love (3)
Fall: On Demand        Spring: On Demand       
Exploration of historical and contemporary sources. Topics may include the nature of sexual acts, perversion, homosexuality, sexual ethics, fantasy, pornography, marriage, the different types of love, and feminist views on sex and love. Same as PHIL 235.


WS 246 Women in Literature (3)
Fall: On Demand        Spring: On Demand        Summer: On Demand
A study of the various ways women are depicted in imaginative literature and expository prose. Readings vary. Same as ENGL 246.
Prerequisite:  OR ENGL 102 

WS 247 Women's Studies: Perspectives and Intersections [  7  7M ] (3)
Fall: All Years        Spring: All Years       
An introduction to the discipline of Women's Studies. Examines multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary issues in Women's Studies in relation to the sciences, social sciences, humanities and arts. Also investigates disciplinary topics such as women's movements, difference, oppression, race and class. Includes a service learning component. Core class for Women's Studies minor program.


WS 294 Women and Sport (3)
Fall: On Demand       
A study of women and sport. Historical, sociological and psychological factors are examined. Legislation affecting participation, present status of women and sport, and future outlook are considered. Same as PE 294.


WS 300 Biology of Women [  4  4L  4M ] (3)
Fall: On Demand        Spring: On Demand       
A study of the gender-related aspects of the biology and behavior of women, including a critical examination of research in this field. Appropriate as a elective only for Biology majors who choose the Health and Medical Science emphasis or the Life Science Emphasis. Same as BIOL 300.
Prerequisite:  BIOL 104 

WS 303 Cross Cultural Gender (3)
Spring: On Demand       
A survey of gender roles in various cultures. This class examines the relationship of gender to kinship, economics, political and biological factors. It also addresses culture change and the effect on gender role assignments. Same as ANTH 303.
Prerequisite:  ANTH 110 

WS 305 The Economics of Poverty, Discrimination, and Inequality [  7  7M  W ] (3)
Fall: On Demand        Spring: On Demand       
An examination of poverty, discrimination, and income inequality among diverse populations in the United States. Topics include causes of poverty, economics of discrimination in terms of majority and minority groups, and historical perspective of ethnic minorities. Same as ECON 305


WS 308 Social Gerontology (3)
Fall: All Years       
This course introduces students to the field of social gerontology for providing an overview of the significant sociological perspectives, social issues, and empirical social science research pertaining to the phenomenon of aging in society. The main goal of the course is to foster an understanding of aging as a process that is characteristic of both individuals and societies through a focus on social factors that shape the individual's experience of aging and the consequences of an aging population for social institutions. Same as SOC 308.
Prerequisite:  SOC 110 

WS 310 Dominant-Subordinate Group Relations (3)
Fall: All Years        Spring: All Years       
Theoretical, historical and contemporary examination of prejudice, discrimination, and inequalities organized around race, ethnicity, and gender divisions. Same as SOC 310.
Prerequisite:  SOC 110 

WS 312 Rhetorics of Resistance: Feminist Responses from the Humanities [  6  6M ] (3)
Spring: All Years       
An examination of feminist responses from the humanities including literature, history, visual and performing arts as well as creative work from the traditional world of women. The course incorporates responses from various multicultural perspectives.


WS 314 Introduction to Feminist Theory (3)
Fall: On Demand        Spring: On Demand       
Critical examination of various feminist theories, both historical and contemporary, and of various definitions of sexism. Students will also examine how feminist theory can be applied to various contemporary moral and social issues. Theorists studied may include Mill, de Beauvoir, Frye, and Jaggar. Representative contemporary issues may include women's reproductive rights, prostitution, sexual harassment laws, and marriage and family issues. Same as PHIL 314.


WS 316 Women in Action (3)
Fall: All Years       
Collaboration with WS students from NDSU and Concordia. The conference focuses on local feminist action related to topics of interest to college-age women. Students meet weekly to plan the event and prepare all aspects of the conference including fundraising, publicity, and contacting speakers and panelists. The location of the conference rotates between the Tri-College campuses. The conference is held early in the Spring semester and students are expected to participate in the conference and final meetings in the semester following the course. May be repeated twice for credit.


WS 320 Sociology of the Family (3)
Fall: All Years       
Examines the theoretical issues and research findings pertaining primarily to American family life. Topics include dating and mate selection, alternatives to traditional marriages, marital structure and interaction, and marital dissolution. Same as SOC 320.
Prerequisite:  SOC 110 

WS 333 Sociology of Gender (3)
Spring: On Demand       
Focuses on the social construction of gender and consequences of gender stratification for women and men. Topics may include: gender differences; the concept of "gender role"; gender in the economic, political, and educational institutions; discrimination; and the feminist movement. Same as SOC 333.
Prerequisite:  SOC 110 

WS 334 Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Issues [  7M  7 ] (3)
Spring: Even Years       
Seminar course on the historical and social contexts of personal, cultural, and political aspects of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) life. Same as SOC 334.


WS 344 Women in World Religions [  7  7M ] (3)
Fall: On Demand        Spring: On Demand       
This course will survey how gender power and control is represented in various cultural belief systems and expressed in religious practices. The class will stress the concepts of utilizing social norms and historiographical theory in order to analyze human behaviors. The class will also explore the concept of "cultural heritage" and will investigate how it affects the student's personal worldview, values and assumptions. In order to accomplish this goal, the students will be introduced to a wide variety of primary and secondary source documents as well as examples of material culture, and will be expected to provide written analysis of these items. (Same as HIST 344)


WS 350 Women in European History (4)
Fall: On Demand       
The historical experience of European women as a force in politics, in economic and familial roles, in organized religion and in cultural life, and with special emphasis on the "woman question". Same as HIST 350.


WS 390 Topics in Women's Studies (1-4)
Fall: On Demand        Spring: On Demand       
This is an upper division topical course and may be repeated when the topic changes.


WS 395 Research in Women's Studies (1-3)
Fall: On Demand        Spring: On Demand        Summer: On Demand
Directed research course in Women's Studies. Topics covered include research techniques, methodologies and academic writing in Women's Studies. May be repeated once for credit.
Prerequisite:  WS 100  WS 247 

WS 397 Individual Study (1-3)
Fall: On Demand        Spring: On Demand       
Directed readings and discussion on particular topics agreed upon by instructor and student.


WS 407 Inclusive Science: Women, Gender and Science [  9  11 ] (3)
Fall: On Demand        Spring: On Demand       
This course will compare and contrast traditional views and feminist critiques of science, define gendered science and examine the potential for restructuring science. Students will practice the critical review of scientific readings and analyze and reflect upon the ethical dimensions of scientific issues related to gender. The course investigates collaboration between Women's Studies scholars and scientists, and culminates with field observations and the critique of science in the academy and the private sector.


WS 408 Women and Art [  W ] (4)
Fall: On Demand        Spring: On Demand        Summer: On Demand
This course examines the history of women artists as well as the representation of women as subjects in art. The course also provides a historical introduction to feminist art history and methodology. Same as ART 408.


WS 410 Directed Readings in Women's Studies (1-3)
Fall: On Demand        Spring: On Demand        Summer: On Demand
Projects designed by students and instructor.


WS 412 Seminar in Women's Studies [  W ] (3)
Fall: On Demand        Spring: On Demand       
Study of selected problems in Women's Studies through various disciplines including those from the humanities, arts, social sciences and natural sciences. The course employs the objectives of interdisciplinary studies as applied to selected topics. Specific topics will be announced in the class schedule. Students may repeat the course two times when topic varies. Core class for Women's Studies Minor program.


WS 415 Gender and Media (3)
Fall: All Years       
This course critically examines the relationship between gender and mass media. Analysis and discussion focuses on the ways media create and perpetuate gender roles. Examines media assumptions about masculinity and femininity, media representations of women and men, coverage of gendered issues and women and men as media professionals. Same as MC 415.


WS 416 Violence in the Family (3)
Fall: Odd Years       
Application of the sociological perspective to the following topics: family violence as an emergent social problem; physical and sexual abuse of children; dating, marital, and sibling violence; societal-level "solutions." Same as SOC 416.
Prerequisite:  SOC 320 

WS 420 Feminism in Global Perspective [  8  11 ] (3)
Spring: All Years       
A topical survey of women's issues in various regions of the world with a focus on manifestations of feminism in different cultural contexts. Topics include women's rights as human rights, sex tourism and trafficking, genital mutilation, religious systems and women, and reproductive rights. Core class for Women's Studies Minor program.


WS 490 Topics in Women's Studies (1-4)
Fall: On Demand        Spring: On Demand       
This is an upper division topical course and may be repeated when the topic changes.


WS 495 Topics in Feminist Theory (3)
Fall: On Demand        Spring: On Demand       
Courses offered under this title will focus on feminist theories as frameworks for work on feminist issues. For specific topic see class schedule. Topics may include Knowledge, Ethics, Ecology, Reproductive Rights and Issues, Self-images and Identity, and Sexuality. Students may register more than once when content varies, but may not repeat the course for more than 6 credits. Same as PHIL 495.
Prerequisite:  PHIL 101  OR PHIL 105  OR PHIL 314 

WS 512 Seminar in Women's Studies (3)

Study of selected problems in Women's Studies through various disciplines including those from the humanities, arts, social sciences and natural sciences. The course employs the objectives of interdisciplinary studies as applied to selected topics. Specific topics will be announced in the class schedule. Students may repeat the course two times when topic varies.