College of Liberal Arts and Human SciencesDepartment of Interdisciplinary StudiesWomen's Studieswww.idst.vt.edu/ws/University Exemplary Department Professors: K. Allen (Human Development); R. Blieszner (Human Development); C. Burch-Brown (Art); T. Calasanti (Sociology); K. DePauw (Graduate School, Sociology, Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise); G. Downey (Science and Technology in Society); E. Fine (Interdisciplinary Studies); V. Fowler (English); A. Kilkelly (Theater Arts and Interdisciplinary Studies); J. Rothschild (SPIA); B. Smith (Interdisciplinary Studies) OverviewThe Women's Studies Program is housed in the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies and includes IDST and faculty affiliates from across the entire campus. All WS faculty are involved in administering the program and advising students, and many faculty around the campus teach courses listed as Women's Studies electives. Women's Studies offers courses for all students in the university, including four in Area 2 of the University Core Curriculum (WS 1824, WS 2224, WS 2234, and WS 2254), one in Area 3 (WS 2264), and two in Area 7 (WS 2234 and WS 3214), and three minors in Women's Studies, Women's Leadership, and Gender, Science, and Technology. The Women's Studies minors are interdisciplinary, cross-cultural programs of study in which students cultivate an understanding of the complex ways in which gender is defined in relation to social structure, history, culture, and technology. The field of Women's Studies transforms traditional disciplines through new methods and theories generated by feminist scholarship. The WS Minors offer students new ways of thinking about how issues of sex and gender shape social, political, economic, and institutional structures as well as personal experiences and perceptions. Central to the mission of the Women's Studies Program is the empowerment of a diverse population of women, both in the academy and in society, within local, regional, and global contexts. To complete the minor in Women's Studies the following coursework is required: 18 semester hours as outlined below. Nine hours of preparatory course work at the 1000 and 2000 level are required. Students also complete nine hours of more advanced course work at the 3000 level or above. At the 4000 level, students must complete either WS 4114 or WS 4224. Students must complete at least three hours of a WS course (including cross-listed and approved courses) with a focus on gender and race (designated below with *).
Some courses outside WS are pre-approved as electives fulfilling the WS Minor and are listed below. Pre-approved Electives : The minor in Women's Leadership consists of a minimum of 22 credit hours, divided as follows: 6 hours preparatory course work at the 1000-2000 level are required. Students also complete at least 10 hours of advanced coursework at the 3000-4000 level. Students must achieve a GPA of 2.0 or better in the courses used to satisfy the Women’s Leadership Minor (WSLD) to be awarded the Minor. Students pursuing the WSLD Minor should see the WS Director in Lane Hall to enroll in the minor. I. Foundations (at least 6 hours required : WS 1824 and WS 2254 are required. Other courses from this list can count as electives to satisfy the Minor) The minor in Gender, Science, and Technology (GST) requires the completion of 18 semester hours as outlined below. Nine hours of preparatory course work at the 1000 and 2000 level are required. Students also complete six hours of more advanced course work at the 3000 level or above, with more choice and flexibility at the upper level. Students must achieve a GPA of 2.0 or better in all the courses used to satisfy the GST Minor to complete the GST Minor. Students pursuing the GST Minor should see the Women's Studies Director to enroll in the minor. These four courses (12 hours) are required:
At least six hours from the following list of electives are required:
Undergraduate Courses - Women's Studies (WS)1824: INTRODUCTION TO WOMEN'S STUDIESThis multi-disciplinary introduction to Women's Studies examines the experiences of women and their contributions to civilization, and includes study of contemporary scholarship by and about women. (3H,3C) 2224: WOMEN AND CREATIVITY A study of the philosophical, artistic, and biographical dimensions of women's creativity in a wide variety of fields. Pre: 1824. (3H,3C) 2234 (REL 2234): WOMEN, ETHICS, AND RELIGION Women's religious ethical formation; the roles and understandings of women in traditional and major modern religious traditions; authoritative writings and practices of various traditions as they focus on issues of sex and gender; gynocentric methods of study of women, ethics, and religion; feminist and womanist approaches to liberation and social change. (3H,3C) 2244: WOMEN AND SCIENCE Uses research from the disciplines of science, women's studies, history, sociology, and philosophy to examine women's roles in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Starting with historical figures, students will follow the progress women have made in entering and succeeding in science careers. Pre: 1824. (3H,3C) 2254: FEMINIST ACTIVISM Explores the history of individual and collective action geared toward gaining women's rights and improving women's positions in society. Course covers various tensions and shifts in feminist movements, as well as the various perspectives, agendas, and actions of specific subgroups of women whose perspectives sometimes conflict. Service-learning is a required component of the course. Pre: 1824. (3H,3C) 2264: RACE, CLASS, AND GENDER This course focuses on the interrelationships of race, class, and gender in the context of women's studies scholarship, and explores how these interrelationships have influenced the experiences of all people in the U.S. Students will learn to conceptualize these categories as interactive systems, not just as separate features of experience. Emphasis will be put on how race, class, and gender shape all social institutions and systems of meaning. Must have prerequisite or instructor's consent. Pre: 1824. (3H,3C) I,II. 2274: WOMEN IN THE MILITARY This course covers historical and global perspectives on the experiences women have had in and with the military. This course introduces students to issues concerning women fighters and military families, as well as to debates over women in combat positions, military policies, and globalization. (3H,3C) 2734 (AFST 2734) (REL 2734): THE BLACK WOMAN IN THE U.S. The emerging womanist perspective of "interstructured oppression" (i.e., the simultaneous effects of racism, sexism, and classism) as relevant to the contributions of Black women in the United States of America; views of Black women from African backgrounds, the Atlantic slave trade, and the progressive rise of womanist/feminist liberation movements in Black culture; contributions of Black women in the U.S. and globally. (3H,3C) 2974: INDEPENDENT STUDY Variable credit course. 2984: SPECIAL STUDY Variable credit course. 3004: TOPICS IN FEMINISM A variable topics course that addresses how the social construction of gender shapes social, cultural, political, economic, and institutional structures as well as individual experiences and perceptions. The course stresses interdisciplinary approaches to topics of emerging interest in feminist scholarship. Can be taken up to three times for credit with varying topic. In addition to WS 1824, must have taken a 2000-level Women's Studies course, or have instructor's consent. Pre: 1824. (3H,3C) 3214: GLOBAL FEMINISMS An introduction to the gendered analysis of global women's issues with a special focus on women of color. Examines the multiple and diverse sites of feminist struggle within the third world, and between first and third worlds both in the U.S. and internationally. Studies the impact on women of political movements such as nationalism, colonialism, revolution, authoritarianism and democracy. Compares theories originating with women of color in the U.S. with those from international third worlds. Pre: 2264. (3H,3C) 3984: SPECIAL STUDY Variable credit course. 4114: FEMINIST THEORY An examination of the principal conceptual bases underlying feminist theory across the disciplines. Senior standing required. Pre: 1824. (3H,3C) 4214 (UAP 4214): WOMEN, ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT IN A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE Explores intersecting roles of gender, culture, and socio-economic status in people's use of nature, management of environmental resources, and experiences of environmental change. Examines debates on environmental and development initiatives, environmental ethics, and environmental social movements from feminist perspectives. Pre: UAP 3344 or UAP 3354. (3H,3C) II. 4224: WOMEN'S STUDIES SEMINAR This multi-disciplinary, multi-cultural course examines a significant topic in Women's Studies, utilizing the perspectives of history, biology, psychology, political science, sociology, and the arts. Variable topics. Pre: 1824, (2224. (3H,3C) 4704 (STS 4704): GENDER AND SCIENCE Investigates the gender dimensions of science in both historical and contemporary perspectives. Discusses feminist studies of science, exploring strengths and limitations. Assesses implications of cultural assumptions about gender for practicing scientists. A 3000 level course in science or engineering may satisfy prerequisite. Pre: 2224 or HST 1504. (3H,3C) 4754: INTERNSHIP Qualified students will be placed with a community agency or on-campus office which addresses contemporary issues of gender, class, and/or race, and will meet periodically with an appropriate faculty member to discuss assigned readings that will provide a context for the work experience. Students will also be expected to keep a journal and to write up a final evaluation of the experience. Variable credit: may be taken for up to 6 elective credits in the Women's Studies concentration. Junior standing, screening interviews with Tech faculty and with the service agency and consent required. Variable credit course. Pre: 1824. 4974: INDEPENDENT STUDY Variable credit course. 4984: SPECIAL STUDY Variable credit course. 4994: UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH Variable credit course. Liberal Arts and Human Sciences Programs of Study Air Force ROTC | Apparel, Housing & Resource Management | Army ROTC| Communication English | Foreign Languages and Literatures | History | Human Development | Interdisciplinary Studies International Studies | Music | Navy ROTC | Philosophy | Political Science | School of Education Science and Technology in Society | Sociology | Theatre Arts |