Fall 2012 Courses

Investigates the social and historical meanings of racial, gender, and sexual identities and their relationship to contemporary lesbian, bisexual, gay, and transgender communities. Same as WMST 2030. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: human diversity.

Provides an overview and critical examination of women as political actors within the United States. Students will examine the gendered components of citizenship, election, political office, and public policy. Furthermore, students will explore the ways in which gender intersects with class, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and other identities in U.S. politics.

Drawing from US, queer of color and transnational perspectives, this course explores key concepts and tensions in queer theory. How does queerness complicate existing understandings of sexual behavior and gendered bodies, particularly as they are shaped by race, ability, culture and nation? In what ways does queer theory shift our understandings of the relationship between everyday lives and broader institutional forces like government, media, medicine or family? Central to our investigation is how queerness – as a lived experience and a politics – engages with contemporary debates around sexual freedom, globalization, socioeconomic justice, and violence. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours for different topics. Prereq., WMST
2000 or 2600.

Are women inherently non-violent by nature? Is aggression an essentially masculine trait? Can men suffer gendered violence? Are violent women being “masculine”? Are Third world societies more violent and misogynist than those of the First world? Is colonial occupation a queer issue? In this interdisciplinary course we will address such questions by examining feminist debates on rape, “Slutwalking”, “honor killing”, suicide bombing, female terrorism, and war. Rather than considering women only as objects of violence, we will also think about women as agents of violence, as well as men as objects of gendered violence. Apart from a range of critical scholarship, novels may include J.M. Coetzee’s Disgrace and Nadeem Aslam’s Maps for Lost Lovers; films may include Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill, Kimberly Peirce’s Boys Don’t Cry, and Kabir Khan’s New York.
May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours for different topics. Prereq., WMST 2000 or 2600. Restricted to sophomores/juniors/seniors. Specially designed for English majors.

Considers current theoretical approaches to the history of sexuality and traces the changing meaning of same-sex sexuality in the U.S. through investigation of lesbian and gay identity formation, community development, politics, and queer cultural resistance. Prereqs., WMST 2000 and 2600, and junior or senior standing.

Intensive examination of a particular topic, theme, issue, or problem in ethnic studies as chosen by the instructor. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours on different topics. Prereq., ETHN 2001 or equivalent. Formerly ETHN 3100.

Intensive examination of a particular topic, theme, issue, or problem in ethnic studies as chosen by the instructor. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours on different topics. Prereq., ETHN 2001 or equivalent. Formerly ETHN 3100.

Intensive examination of a particular topic, theme, issue, or problem in Chicana and Chicano studies as chosen by the instructor. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours within a term on different topics. Prereq., ETHN 1016 or 2001. Formerly CHST 3100.

Offers subjects not covered by existing courses. Offered when the department approves a special topic. May be repeated up to 12 total credit hours for different topics.

A variety of courses in population and/or health will be taught, usually by visiting lecturers. See current departmental announcements for specific content. May be repeated up to 9 total credit hours for different topics. Prereq., SOCY 1001.

Overview of race, class, gender, and ethnicity issuesin offending, victimization, and processing by the justice system. Examines women and people of color employed in the justice system. Prereq., SOCY 1001or 1004. Same as WMST 3044.

Through sustained inquiry into a selected topic or issue, students will practice advanced forms of academic writing. The course emphasizes analysis, criticism, and argument. Taught as a writing workshop, the course places a premium on substantive, thoughtful revision. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours. Same as NRLN 3020. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: written communication.