Undergraduate Catalog

Race, Religion, Gender, and Multidisciplinary Studies

Interim Chairperson: Dr. Betsy C. Perabo
Office: Morgan Hall 232
Telephone: (309) 298-2214
Email: LAS@wiu.edu
Website: wiu.edu/las

Program Offering and Locations

  • Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Sciences: Macomb, Quad Cities
  • Minor in African American Studies: Macomb
  • Minor in Cannabis and Culture: Macomb, Online
  • Minor in Religious Studies: Macomb, Online
  • Minor in Women’s Studies: Macomb, Online

Learning Outcomes

For student learning outcomes, please see wiu.edu/provost/learningoutcomes.

Faculty

Baker-Sperry, Carr, Perabo.

Academic Advisor

Kenneth W. Wheeler II

GradTrac

GradTrac is available to Liberal Arts and Science majors. See more information about GradTrac.

Department Information

The Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Sciences is a multidisciplinary degree that embodies the spirit of a liberal arts education, emphasizing comparative critical thinking, communication, and a broad range of methodologies and applied skills. As is true of many degree programs in the Liberal Arts and Sciences, students pursuing a Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Sciences are not specifically trained for a particular vocation or career path. Instead, graduates of the program bring the integration of multiple disciplinary perspectives, combined with critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills, to a variety of careers that value adaptability, flexibility, and innovation. Rather than training for a specific career, this degree offers a comprehensive and rigorous intellectual foundation for a lifetime of learning, preparing individuals to adapt to many different academic, personal, and professional paths.

In addition to the introductory and capstone courses, the degree includes two possible options. The first option, African American Studies, enhances students’ abilities to reexamine traditional paradigms of knowledge in the humanities and social sciences, and develop the necessary skills and methodologies to understand the culture patterns, knowledge, and behaviors that are not commonly represented in a Eurocentric education. The second option, Paired Minors, requires students to complete two approved minors as their multidisciplinary major. Both options offer students the opportunity to complete an internship as part of the major.

Degree Program

Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Sciences

All students seeking the Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Sciences must complete I, II, and III.A or III.B below, and the Foreign Language/Global Issues requirement for the major#. The minimum semester hour requirement for the baccalaureate degree is 120 s.h.

  1. University General Education and College of Arts and Sciences Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Sciences Requirements: 57 s.h.
  2. Core Courses: 12 s.h.
    LAS 195, 395, 495†, 498 (3 s.h.)
  3. Options of Study (select A or B): 51 s.h.
    1. African American Studies
      1. Special Course: AAS 100: 3 s.h.
      2. Directed Electives (select from AAS courses): 30 s.h.
      3. Open Electives: 2 s.h.
      4. Any Approved Minor: 16 s.h.
    2. Paired Minors
      1. Paired Minors: 32 s.h.
        Choose any two minors from within the College of Arts and Sciences (which includes CAS-centered interdisciplinary minors listed below). No more than two courses or 6 s.h. may be shared across selected minors. One Writing Instruction in the Disciplines (WID) course (in addition to LAS 495) must be taken from either of the departments offering the selected minors, or ENG 380† or ENG 381†. Any two College of Arts and Sciences minors may be paired. The current list of available minors includes:
        1. Minors in the Humanities: Creative Writing; English; Film; French; History; Philosophy; Professional Writing; Religious Studies; Spanish
        2. Minors in the Natural Sciences/Mathematics: Botany; Chemistry; Forensic Chemistry; Forensic Science; Geology; Mathematics; Microbiology; Neuroscience; Physics; Weather and Climate; Zoology
        3. Minors in the Social Sciences: Anthropology; Economics; Forensic Psychology; Geography; Global Politics; Political Science; Psychology; Public Administration and Public Service; Sociology
        4. Interdisciplinary Minors in CAS or housed primarily in CAS: African American Studies; Aging Studies; Environmental Studies; Geographic Information Systems; International Studies; Law and Society; Women’s Studies
      2. Open Electives: 3 s.h.
      3. Any Approved Minor: 16 s.h.

# The Foreign Language/Global Issues graduation requirement (see Multicultural Perspectives Requirement) may be fulfilled by successfully completing one of the following: 1) a designated foreign language requirement; 2) a General Education Global Issues (GEGI) course; 3) any major’s Discipline-Specific Global Issues (DSGI) course; or 4) an approved Study Abroad program.
† LAS 495 fulfills the Writing Instruction in the Disciplines (WID) graduation requirement for the African American Studies option. LAS 495 and one of ENG 380, ENG 381, or other approved WID course from either of the departments offering the selected minors fulfill the WID graduation requirement for the Paired Minors option.

Minors

Minor in African American Studies: 18 s.h.
  1. AAS 100: 3 s.h.
  2. Select one of the following: AAS 251, 281, or 282: 3 s.h.
  3. AAS Electives: 12 s.h.

Note: 6 s.h. must be chosen from 300- and 400-level courses.

Minor in Cannabis and Culture: 18 s.h.

See Interdisciplinary Studies Minors.

Minor in Religious Studies: 18 s.h.
  1. REL 110, 111: 6 s.h.
  2. Complete any four Religious Studies courses (3 of which must be at the 300 or 400 level): 12 s.h.
Minor in Women’s Studies: 18 s.h.
  1. WS 190: 3 s.h.
  2. WS 355: 3 s.h.
  3. WS Electives: 12 s.h.

Course Descriptions

AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES (AAS)

100 Introduction to African American Studies. (3) (Multicultural) A survey of the history of Black people including the “Cradle of Civilization,” the ancient empires of West Africa, the slave trade, and the Caribbean. It also includes African and African American literature, art, and music.

145 Famous People of African Descent. (3) (Multicultural) A study of the lives and works of famous people of African descent throughout the world with particular emphasis on African Americans.

251 Social Problems in Black America. (3) A sociological investigation of such problems as crime and delinquency, racism, mental illness, drug use, alcoholism, and poverty. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or consent of instructor.

281 Literature of the Black World. (3) (Multicultural) A comparative presentation of literary works by African, Caribbean, and African American writers.

282 African American Theatre. (3) (Multicultural) A survey of the African American contributions to the American stage from 1760 to the present, with an examination of representative works by various African American playwrights.

283 African American Folklore. (3) (Multicultural) A study of the relationship between African and Diaspora folktales, folk beliefs, and customs. Identification of parallel folktales, symbols, and social practices. An interdisciplinary approach to the study of this folklore.

290 Black Popular Culture. (3) The African roots of Black people and their contributions to American culture, emphasizing African American culture, artistic expression, identity, and contemporary Black popular culture.

302 Black Intellectual Traditions. (3) An examination of the dimensions of Black intellectual traditions and movements that have developed in the modern world. Prerequisite: AAS 100, or junior standing, or consent of instructor.

304 African Americans in the Age of Obama. (3) An examination of the trajectory of President Barack Obama’s life and his impact on the status of African Americans. Prerequisite: AAS 100 or consent of instructor.

310 (Cross-listed with WS 310) Black Women in the United States. (3) A sociological analysis of the various social roles of Black women, including those of gender, education, occupations, and marriage and family, with some attention given to contributions and achievements. Not open to students with credit in WS 310.

311 (Cross-listed with POLS 311) Race and Ethnicity in American Politics. (3) This course examines how racial and ethnic minority groups shape, and are shaped by, American politics and society. It focuses primarily on the politics of specific racial and ethnic minority groups in the United States. Not open to students with credit in POLS 311. Prerequisite: POLS 122 or permission of instructor.

312 Black Men in the U.S. (3) Examination of cultural, economic, political, and social factors impacting the experience of African American males in the United States. Topics may include Black male/female relationships, sexuality, self-determination, criminal justice system, family unit, community, and media representations. Prerequisite: AAS 100, or AAS 251, or consent of instructor.

314 (Cross-listed with HIST 314) African American History. (3) (Multicultural) A survey of African American history and culture. Not open to students with credit in HIST 314. Prerequisite: HIST 106 or AAS 100 or consent of instructor.

316 African Americans and Sport in the United States. (3) An examination of how organized athletics have served as symbolic sites of protest, power, and inclusion for African Americans and other minorities in the nineteenth, twentieth, and twenty-first centuries. Prerequisite: AAS 100 or consent of instructor.

317 Black Greek-Lettered Organizations. (3) An examination of the role and mission of historical existence, culture, and contemporary issues facing Black Greek-lettered organizations in the United States. Prerequisite: AAS 100 or consent of instructor.

325 The Black Family. (3) An analysis of structures and functions of Black family life in the United States, with emphasis on adaptive features. Some attention is also given to the African and Caribbean family.

345 (Formerly AAS/ENG 245) (Cross-listed with ENG 345) Survey of African American Literature. (3) (Multicultural) A literary and cultural introduction to the study of African American writers, organized chronologically, but with special emphasis on the twentieth century. Not open to students with credit in ENG 345. Prerequisite: ENG 280.

346 (Cross-listed with ENG 346) African American Fiction. (3) A survey of selected African American short stories and novels from the beginning to the present, from Brown, Johnson, and Toomer to Ellison, Baldwin, Morrison, and beyond. Not open to students with credit in ENG 346. Prerequisite: AAS/ENG 345, or ENG 299 with a grade of C or better, or consent of instructor.

349 (Cross-listed with HIST 349) Africa since 1800. (3) (Multicultural) A study of major themes from 1800 to the recent past from an African perspective: slave trade and its abolition, European colonialism, independence movements, and problems of independence. Not open to students with credit in HIST 349. Prerequisite: HIST 116 or consent of instructor.

354 (Cross-listed with ENG 354) African Americans in American Film. (3) Analysis of the representation of African Americans in American films as a way to consider how imagery affects society’s attitudes about race. Films from early 20th century depictions of mammies to the 1990s hip-hop sagas will be examined. Not open to students with credit in ENG 354. Prerequisite: AAS 100 or consent of instructor.

370 African American Interest Groups and Organizations. (3) An examination of African American interest groups organized around themes important to the African American community, analyzing the techniques and strategies used to shape U.S. policies and laws. Prerequisite: AAS 100 or consent of the instructor.

380 Media and the Black Experience. (3) A survey of the Black experience in the media, radio, television, cinema, and advertising. The course shall examine the roles of media in the Black struggle for equality in class, race, and gendered society. Emphasis may vary by semester. Prerequisite: AAS 100 or BC&J 350 or BC&J 352, or the consent of the instructor.

381 Modern African Literature. (3) A survey of African literature, both oral and written. This course will focus attention on the social, cultural, and political movements of modern Africa as presented in its literature.

397 (Cross-listed with ARTH 397) African Americans in Art. (3) The study of African Americans in art and visual culture from 1619 to the present. This course examines images of African Americans within a social, historical context as a way to understand evolving American perceptions about race, class, and gender. Writing Instruction in the Disciplines (WID) course. Not open to students with credit in ARTH 397. Prerequisites: ENG 180 and 280; sophomore standing or permission of the instructor.

402 (Cross-listed with HIST 402) The Civil Rights Movement. (3) An intensive study of the history of the African American civil rights movement concentrating on the post-WWII era. The course also examines the contested historical memory over the long black freedom struggle. Not open to students with credit in HIST 402. Prerequisites: at least junior standing and either HIST 106 or AAS 100; or consent of instructor. Directed Elective Area I.

420 (Cross-listed with SOC 420 and WS 420) Race, Class, and Gender. (3) The course will examine issues of race, class, and gender in historical, cultural, and contemporary societal contexts. Not open to students with credit in SOC 420 or WS 420. Prerequisite: AAS 100, or SOC 100, or WS 190; or permission of instructor.

425 African Americans, Corporate America, and Diversity. (3) An examination of racial and gender discrimination in American corporations. It explores the origins of Black businesses, Black independent self-help enterprises, and the agency of African Americans forging their own economic liberations through business activities and entrepreneurship. Prerequisite: AAS 100 or consent of instructor.

463 Honors Thesis in African American Studies. (3) Students will write original scholarly research/academic findings in the AAS discipline, under faculty supervision. Thesis will follow completed fieldwork (AAS 363) of academic research, data collection (interviews, library work, oral history, observation) and relevant scholarly traditions of the discipline. Prerequisite: AAS 363(H).

466 (Cross-listed with GEOG 466—Africa) Geography of Africa. (3, repeatable to 9 for different regional subtitles) (Multicultural) Analysis of the physical and cultural geography of Africa. Not open to students with credit in GEOG 466—Africa. Individuals who receive credit for AAS 466—Africa may take 6 s.h. maximum of GEOG 466 if the regional subtitles are different. Prerequisite: two courses in Geography or consent of instructor.

490 Independent Study. (2–4, repeatable to 4) Individual study of a particular topic in the field of African American Studies.

491 Seminar in African American Studies. (1–6, repeatable to 6) Topics will vary from semester to semester, and will be announced prior to registration. Prerequisites: AAS 100 and junior standing, or consent of instructor.

494 (Cross-listed with REL 494) Religion in African American Culture. (3) This course acquaints students with religiosity and spirituality among African Americans and provides understanding of a world view, via concepts of nature, God, and human interaction, that reflects African cultural retentions in the U.S. Not open to students with credit in REL 494. Prerequisites: AAS 100 and junior standing, or one 100- or 200-level Religious Studies course, or permission of instructor.

498 Individual Study. (1–3, repeatable to 3) Individual study of an approved research topic. Prerequisite: junior or senior standing or consent of the instructor.

499 Internship in AAS. (1–12, repeatable to 12) Supervised work assignments in applied occupational area involving specific projects in areas related to African American Studies. A maximum of 6 s.h. may be counted toward the African American Studies major. Prerequisites: permission of department chair; junior or senior standing; minimum 2.0 GPA.

ARTS AND SCIENCES (A&S)

196 Introduction to Research Methods. (0) An introduction to methodologies to plan and execute a research project with emphasis on data collection, analysis, and presentation. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Graded S/U only.

LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES (LAS)

195 Introduction to Liberal Arts and Sciences. (3) (Multicultural) A comparative introduction to the major areas of the liberal arts and sciences, covering their evolution and distinctive approaches to problems. Addresses how the study of race, gender, religion, and multiculturalism informs and is embedded within each field.

210 Engaging Multiculturalism. (3) (Multicultural) An interdisciplinary study of cultural identities, values, and interaction of diverse groups. Among the concepts explored will be race, ethnicity, gender, religion, class, sexual orientation, ableism, and age.

298 Individual Studies. (1–3) Special projects in interdisciplinary studies carried out under the supervision of a faculty member.

395 Evidence, Truth, and Action. (3) An interdisciplinary course that integrates humanities and social scientific methods for evaluating evidence, identifying and exposing misinformation, and interpreting claims of truth. Includes vocational assessment, professionalization, and connection of research strategies to action. Prerequisite: LAS 195 with a grade of C or better, or consent of instructor.

420 Senior Seminar in Cannabis and Culture. (3, repeatable to 6 for different topics) Examination of various issues related to cannabis, culture, history, and politics. See course schedule for description. Prerequisite: ANTH 180 or REL 180 or permission of instructor.

495 Liberal Arts and Sciences Senior Capstone. (3) Capstone course for the Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Sciences degree. Students will study examples of scholarship from a multidisciplinary perspective, research and present an interdisciplinary solution to a significant problem, and prepare a self-reflective academic personal narrative. Writing Instruction in the Disciplines (WID) course. Prerequisites: LAS 195, ENG 280, senior standing, and permission of the director of the Liberal Arts and Sciences program.

496 Internship. (1–6, repeatable to 6) An internship provides LAS majors the opportunity to gain practical experience and apply their interdisciplinary skills and training through observation and interaction in a professional environment connected to their career interests. Prerequisites: LAS major, junior or senior standing, and permission of the program director. Graded S/U.

498 Individual Studies and Experiential Learning. (1–3) Special projects in interdisciplinary studies or experiential learning carried out under the supervision of a faculty member.

RELIGIOUS STUDIES (REL)
(Introductory Courses—Any introductory course may be taken as a first course in Religious Studies.)

101 Religion and Popular Culture. (3) (General Education/Humanities) An examination of religious and spiritual themes as they manifest in popular culture, including film, literature, Internet, television, arts, music, news media, etc.
IAI: H5 900.

107 The Bible. (3) (General Education/Humanities) An examination of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) and New Testament scriptures which shaped the intellectual and cultural history of Western civilization with emphasis on cultural, social, and historical factors leading to the birth of Judaism and Christianity.
IAI: H5 901.

110 Introduction to Eastern Religions. (3) (Multicultural) A comparative introduction to the religions of Asia—Hinduism and Buddhism—with attention to historical development, scriptures, beliefs, practices, and diverse cultural expressions.

111 Introduction to Western Religions. (3) (Multicultural) A comparative introduction to the “religions of Abraham”—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—with attention to historical development, scriptures, beliefs, practices, and diverse cultural expressions.

(World Religions)

350 Hinduism. (3) (Multicultural) A study of the Hindu religious tradition covering its historical development, basic beliefs, practices, social structure, and philosophical world view, emphasizing the relation between this religion and society in both India and America. Prerequisite: one 100- or 200-level Religious Studies course or consent of instructor.

355 Buddhism. (3) (Multicultural) A study of the Buddhist religious tradition covering its historical development, basic beliefs, and practices, emphasizing the relation between this religion and society in the East and in America. Prerequisite: one 100- or 200-level Religious Studies course or consent of instructor.

360 Christianity. (3) Examines Christian scriptures, beliefs, and rituals from both historical and contemporary perspectives, with coverage of Christianity in different places around the world. Prerequisite: one 100- or 200-level Religious Studies course or consent of instructor.

365 Islam. (3) (Multicultural) A study of the Islamic religious tradition covering its historical development, basic beliefs, and practices, emphasizing the relation between this religion and society in the Near East and in America. Prerequisite: one 100- or 200-level Religious Studies course or consent of instructor.

370 Judaism. (3) An examination of the religion and history of the Jewish people including the relations of Judaism to Christianity and Islam and the causes of anti-Semitism. Prerequisite: one 100- or 200-level Religious Studies course or consent of instructor.

(Religion and Culture)

180 Religion and Drugs. (3) An examination of religious drug use, in historical and modern context. The use of entheogens (psychoactive substances used for religious purposes) in the major world religions, as well as their use in indigenous cultures and smaller religious traditions, are considered.

225 (Cross-listed with ANTH 225) (Formerly REL 457) Myth and Ritual. (3) (Multicultural) An introduction to the anthropological study of myth and ritual systems and their importance in religious development and anthropological thought. The course focuses on a cross-cultural comparison of myth and its relationship to ritual. Not open to students with credit in ANTH 225.

301 Religion in America. (3) An examination of the diversity of religion and religions in the United States with attention to the variety of religious traditions and expressions and to the histories and themes that have shaped the distinctive tapestry of American religious life. Prerequisite: one 100- or 200-level Religious Studies course or consent of instructor.

303 (Cross-listed with WS 303) Women in Religion. (3) (Multicultural) A cross-cultural, comparative, interdisciplinary investigation of the presence of women in shaping the religious cultures of the world. Not open to students with credit in WS 303. Prerequisite: one 100- or 200-level Religious Studies course or consent of instructor.

324 (Cross-listed with ANTH 324) Religion, Magic, and Shamanism. (3) (Multicultural) Survey of cross-cultural perspectives on beliefs and practices dealing with the supernatural, magic, and religion. The functions and social positions of spiritual leaders from different cultures are explored. Not open to students with credit in ANTH 324. Prerequisite: ANTH 110 or consent of instructor.

454 Contemporary Spiritual Movements. (3) An exploration of contemporary spiritual movements with special emphasis on the relationship between cultural change and the emergence of new religious movements. Prerequisite: one 100- or 200-level Religious Studies course or consent of instructor.

456 Religion and War. (3) (Multicultural) An examination of religious perspectives on the legitimacy of war, the conduct of war, and participation in or support for the military. Prerequisite: one 100- or 200-level Religious Studies course or consent of instructor.

492 (Cross-listed with ENG 492) Religion, Literature, and Film. (3) (Multicultural) Study of multicultural literary and cinematic texts engaging a wide range of religious traditions. Not open to students with credit in ENG 492. Prerequisite: ENG 299 with a grade of C or better, or one 100- or 200-level Religious Studies or Philosophy course, or consent of instructor.

494 (Cross-listed with AAS 494) Religion in African American Culture. (3) This course acquaints students with religiosity and spirituality among African Americans and provides understanding of a world view, via concepts of nature, God, and human interaction, that reflects African cultural retentions in the U.S. Not open to students with credit in AAS 494. Prerequisites: AAS 100 and junior standing, or one 100- or 200-level Religious Studies course, or permission of instructor.

(Religious Thought)

300 Religion, Ethics, and Law. (3) This course discusses the ways in which religions develop and sustain ethical traditions and how adherents of different faiths have worked to create or challenge laws based on those traditions. Topics include issues such as marriage, sexuality, war, and economics. Prerequisite: one 100- or 200-level Religious Studies course or consent of instructor.

380 Jesus. (3) A study of Jesus as pictured in the Gospels, history, and culture. Prerequisite: one 100- or 200-level Religious Studies course or consent of instructor.

405 Philosophy of Religion. (3) A critical examination of the philosophical issues arising from religious beliefs, utilizing historical and contemporary writings. Topics may include the existence of God, evil, faith, religious pluralism, and the relation between religious beliefs and ethics. Not open to students with credit in PHIL 405. Prerequisite: one 100- or 200-level Philosophy course or consent of instructor.

452 Theology. (3) Introduction to theological thought and a selection of thinkers who have shaped Christian, Jewish, and/or Muslim religious imagination. Such figures might include Paul, Augustine, Aquinas, Maimonides, Luther, Teresa of Avila, Abraham Heschel, Simone Weil, al-Ghazali, or Rabia (among others). Prerequisite: one 100- or 200-level Religious Studies course or consent of instructor.

460 The Bible and Current Issues. (3) Examines how Christians and Jews interpret the Bible in their reflections and debates about current issues. Possible topics may include (among others) gender norms, same-sex relationships, interreligious understanding, evolution, ecological concerns, apocalyptic thinking, and the nature of scriptural authority. Prerequisites: one 100- or 200-level Religious Studies course or consent of instructor.

(Specialized Research)

312 Writing in Religious Studies. (1) Instruction and practice in writing a 20 page research paper within the field of Religious Studies. Writing Instruction in the Disciplines (WID) course. Prerequisite: ENG 280. Corequisite: one 300- or 400-level Religious Studies course taught by Religious Studies faculty.

490 Capstone Project. (3) Selection of research project, preparation of bibliography, description of methodology, writing of senior thesis, oral defense, and participation in career-related seminars. Prerequisites: senior standing and REL 312.

499 Directed Readings. (1–3, repeatable with no maximum for different topics) Individual study of particular religious traditions, ideas, or problems. Prerequisites: two courses in Religious Studies and consent of the instructor. By arrangement.

WOMEN’S STUDIES (WS)

190 Introduction to Women’s Studies. (3) (Multicultural) An exploration of women’s roles and their status in society with insights gained from various disciplines including History, Sociology, Psychology, and Literature.

220 (Cross-listed with PHIL 220) Feminism and Ethics. (3) (Multicultural) A multicultural and comparative investigation of feminist issues in ethics and women’s contributions to moral theory. Not open to students with credit in PHIL 220.

265 Women and Creativity. (3) This course explores some of the ways that women represent female experiences through creativity. Primary emphasis is on their contributions as producers and creators of various artistic forms. Prerequisite: WS 190 or permission of instructor.

270 Hispanic Women. (3) Emphasizing Hispanic women’s cultural production and activism, this course considers the diversity of perspectives and experiences of Hispanic women from a range of cultural and geographical backgrounds. Globally, Hispanic language, heritage, and culture constitute an important intersecting factor of identity.

280 Lesbianism and Gender Identity. (3) Using political and historical narratives of same-sex desiring women and women of other queer identities, this course will consider the diversity of perspectives, realities, and activism of these women as informed by their culture, race, class, and disability.

285 (Cross-listed with SOC 285) Women: A Global Perspective. (3) (Multicultural) This course emphasizes the voices of women across the globe from an interdisciplinary perspective. Special attention will be paid to women’s activism, the transnational feminist movement, and an examination of the category “woman” in the global context. Not open to students with credit in SOC 285. Prerequisite: WS 190 or SOC 100.

301 (Cross-listed with ENG 301) Women and Literature. (3) (Multicultural) The study of literature as an art practiced by women, with an examination of portrayals of women in literature. Not open to students with credit in ENG 301.
IAI: H3 911D.

303 (Cross-listed with REL 303) Women in Religion. (3) (Multicultural) A cross-cultural, comparative, interdisciplinary investigation of the presence of women in shaping the religious cultures of the world. Not open to students with credit in REL 303. Prerequisite: one 100- or 200-level Religious Studies course or consent of instructor.

307 (Cross-listed with ENG 307) Issues for Women Writing. (3, repeatable to 6 for different topics) Reading, discussion, and writing focused on a particular social, cultural, or personal issue related to how and what women write. Not open to students with credit in ENG 307. Prerequisite: ENG 299 or WS 190, or consent of instructor.

310 (Cross-listed with AAS 310) Black Women in the United States. (3) A sociological analysis of the various social roles of Black women, including those of gender, education, occupations, and marriage and family, with some attention given to contributions and achievements. Not open to students with credit in AAS 310.

315 (Cross-listed with ANTH 315) Gender and Anthropology. (3) Exploration of cross-cultural ethnographies of variations in gender roles in economic, religious, and political domains. This course also addresses gender identity and gender diversity issues. Not open to students with credit in ANTH 315. Prerequisite: ANTH 110 or consent of instructor.

316 (Cross-listed with COMM 315) Gender and Communication. (3) This course examines gender and gender-role differences and similarities in verbal and nonverbal communication and surveys several contexts in which sex differences in human communication occur. Not open to students with credit in COMM 315. Prerequisite: COMM 130.

317 (Cross-listed with HIST 317) Women in American History. (3) (Multicultural) A multicultural and historical survey of women in the United States, from 1500 to the recent past. Not open to students with credit in HIST 317. Prerequisite: HIST 105 or 106, or consent of instructor.

318 (Cross-listed with HIST 318) Women and Gender in European History. (3) (Multicultural) A study of women and gender in Europe, from antiquity to the recent past, focusing on changes in culture, society, the economy, and politics. Not open to students with credit in HIST 318. Prerequisite: HIST 115 or 116, or consent of instructor.

321 (Cross-listed with HE 321) Women’s Health. (3) Provides information about how women can improve their chances of achieving and maintaining high-level wellness. Among the topics included are: prevention, early detection and treatment of health problems commonly occurring among women, contraception, pregnancy and childbirth, using the medical care system, and mental health. Open to male and female students. Not open to students with credit in HE 321. Prerequisite: junior standing.

330 (Cross-listed with ANTH 330) Sex and Gender in Archaeology. (3) The study of sex, gender, and power in archaeological investigations and theory, including cross-cultural comparison of gender and social differentiation in past societies. Changing perspectives on the roles of females in human evolution and prehistory are emphasized. Not open to students with credit in ANTH 330. Prerequisite: ANTH 110 or 111 or WS 190, or consent of instructor.

335 (Cross-listed with POLS 335) Women and Politics. (3) (Multicultural) An examination of the changing role of women in American politics. Focus on women as participants in politics, public policies of concern to women, and feminist theories of political change. Not open to students with credit in POLS 335. Prerequisite: POLS 101 or 122, or permission of instructor.

342 (Cross-listed with HIST 342) Women and Gender in Asian History. (3) (Multicultural) A study of women and gender in Asia from ancient times to the recent past, with an emphasis on social, political, economic, and cultural aspects of their lives. Not open to students with credit in HIST 342. Prerequisite: HIST 116 or consent of instructor.

355 Introduction to Feminist Theory. (3) A study of the theoretical foundations of modern feminist theory. Writings of early feminists such as Sara Grimke, Mary Wollstonecraft, Harriet Taylor, Sojourner Truth, Anna Julia Cooper, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton are explored for their impact on the development of feminist thought. BGS online writing course. Prerequisite: WS 190 and one additional Women’s Studies course, or permission of instructor.

357 (Cross-listed with PSY 357) Women and Work. (3) (Multicultural) Examination of major psychological issues encountered by women entering the workforce, including career choice, combining work and family life, leadership, and inequities. Not open to students with credit in PSY 357. Prerequisite: PSY 100.

360 (Cross-listed with SOC 360) Gender and Society. (3) (Multicultural) This course provides a sociological examination of theories of gender, socio-historical gender patterns, gender and American social institutions, social structure and gender, and cross-cultural comparisons. BGS online writing course. Not open to students with credit in SOC 360. Prerequisite: SOC 100 or WS 190, or consent of instructor.

370 Women in Popular Culture. (3) (Multicultural) A sociocultural study of stereotypes of women as portrayed in American popular culture with a particular emphasis placed upon the images of women of color. Prerequisite: WS 190.

391 Special Topics in Women’s Studies. (1–3, repeatable to 6) An in-depth investigation of special topics in the field of Women’s Studies. Prerequisites: WS 190 and permission of instructor.

395 (Cross-listed with ANTH 395) Gender, Race, and the Environment. (3) (Multicultural) Explores research, scholarship, and fictional ecofeminist works. Students will consider the influence of women, feminists, and ecofeminist writings on local and global environmental movements. Not open to students with credit in ANTH 395. Prerequisite: ANTH 110 or WS 190 or consent of instructor.

410 (Cross-listed with SOC 410) Women and Poverty. (3) The poverty of women in the United States including factors of race, place of residence, and age are covered. Structural hierarchies that maintain poverty are examined from a sociological perspective. Not open to students with credit in SOC 410. Prerequisite: WS 190 or SOC 100 or consent of instructor.

420 (Cross-listed with AAS 420 and SOC 420) Race, Class, and Gender. (3) The course will examine issues of race, class, and gender in historical, cultural, and contemporary societal contexts. Not open to students with credit in AAS 420 or SOC 420. Prerequisite: WS 190, or AAS 100, or SOC 100; or permission of instructor.

430 (Cross-listed with SOC 430) Sociology of Women’s Health. (3) Uses sociological theories and research to examine the gendered experience of illness. Includes sociological analysis of medical knowledge about women’s health. Topics include medicalization of women’s health, the gendered hierarchy of professions, and feminist critiques of scientific research. Not open to students with credit in SOC 430. Prerequisite: SOC 100 or WS 190, or consent of instructor.

433 (Cross-listed with PSY 433) Psychology of Gender. (3) Examines the psychological, social, and biological bases for societal-defined sex roles. The knowledge of these factors will assist students in recognizing and understanding the influence of gender on human experiences (i.e., behaviors, cognitions, emotions, physiology) and relationships. Not open to students with credit in PSY 433. Prerequisite: 9 s.h. of Psychology coursework, or graduate standing, or permission of instructor.

435 (Cross-listed with SOC 435) Women and Crime. (3) Theories of female criminality, patterns of female crime and victimization, women in corrections, and women as criminal justice practitioners are examined. Not open to students with credit in SOC 435. Prerequisite: SOC 100 or consent of instructor.

470 (Cross-listed with KIN 470) Gender and Sport. (3) Examines relationships between gender, sport, and physical activity. Gender is examined within the context of stereotypes and the structure/philosophy of sport and physical activity. Sport and physical activity are investigated as social institutions relative to cultural constructions of gender. Not open to students with credit in KIN 470. Prerequisite: WS 190 or permission of instructor.

491 Women’s Studies Honors Thesis. (1–4, repeatable to 4) An independent study project or paper to be supervised by two members of the faculty in Women’s Studies. Prerequisite: enrollment in the Honors Program; senior status.

494 (Cross-listed with BC&J 494 and ENG 494) Women and Film/Television. (3) An overview of women in film and television that considers the on-screen images of women as well as the positions of women working behind the scenes (with laboratory). Not open to students with credit in BC&J 494 or ENG 494. Prerequisites: ENG 180 and 280.

497 Independent Study in Women’s Studies. (1–3, repeatable to 6) Individual readings and/or research on a topic within Women’s Studies. Prerequisites: WS 355 and permission of department chair.

499 Internship in Women’s Studies. (1–9, repeatable to 9) Supervised work in an applied occupational area related to women. Prerequisites: junior or senior status and permission of department chair.