WMST110 Introduction to Gender Studies
Department of Language & Literature: Women's Studies
- I. Course Number and Title
- WMST110 Introduction to Gender Studies
- II. Number of Credits
- 3 credits
- III. Number of Instructional Minutes
- 2250
- IV. Prerequisites
- None
- Corequisites
- None
- V. Other Pertinent Information
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The Department of Language and Literature has determined that WMST110 is a writing-intensive course, which requires a minimum of 2,500 words in formal writing assignments.
This course meets the Critical Thinking, Diversity and Social Sciences General Education requirements.
- VI. Catalog Course Description
- This course examines the contingent nature of identity factors, such as gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, and social class, and how such factors are intertwined with relations of power. It emphasizes the consequences of the distribution of inequality, and the ways in which individuals exert agency and challenge systems of inequality.
- VII. Required Course Content and Direction
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Course Learning Goals
Students will:
- demonstrate an understanding of the socially-constructed nature of identity factors, such as gender and race [Diversity, Social Sciences];
- illustrate the differences in inequality between their own socio-cultural context and those of individuals in other nations;
- examine how institutions, such as the US educational system and global capitalism create, sustain, and exploit networks of power [Critical Thinking, Social Sciences];
- demonstrate an understanding of politically-relevant movements, such as abolition and suffrage, the anti-lynching movement, second and third-wave feminisms, and transnational feminisms; and
- analyze the ideological role of contemporary popular media, such as social networks, TV programs, and film [Critical Thinking, Diversity].
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Planned Sequence of Topics and/or Learning Activities
Biological determinism
The social construction of gender
The performative nature of identity
Sexuality and its relationships with gender, race, and nationality
The role of institutions, such as the educational system, religious organizations, and the workplace in identity construction
Health, illness, and ableism
The role of popular media in identity construction -
Assessment Methods for Course Learning Goals
Students will:
- take quizzes and tests;
- write academic essays requiring the use of research;
- complete projects, such as research reports or multimedia presentations.
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Reference, Resource, or Learning Materials to be used by Student:
Departmentally-approved textbook. See course syllabus.
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Review/Approval Date - 12/00; Revised - 5/4/15; Core Goals/Objectives added 4/04; New Core 8/2015; Revised 04/2018