Coordinator, Women's Studies Program: Margaret
Campbell, M.Ed.
Women's studies at Stephens is an interdisciplinary program drawing
upon the expertise of faculty and student-life professionals across the campus
and focusing on the construction of knowledge about women, both in the United
States and in the rest of the world. In women's studies classes students and
faculty work together to illuminate women's distinct experiences, perspectives,
and concerns, as well as to explore the liberatory strategies women have employed
and continue to employ throughout the world. More than 50 faculty members, representing
all areas of academic life, have taught in the program since its beginning in
the early 1970s when Stephens College first demonstrated national leadership
in the
field.
The Women's Studies Program offers a minor. But women's studies is also an excellent
choice for students who wish to combine study in the discipline with another
discipline in a student-initiated major. As well as completing the liberal arts
requirements and the courses listed below for the women's studies minor, the
student works with her advisor to plan a course of study that combines additional
women's studies courses and a sequence of courses from one or more of the academic
disciplines complementary to women's
studies.
NOTE: In the following course listings, (1c) = 1.0 course or 3 semester
hours.
Requirements for a
Women's Studies Minor
A minor in women's studies requires the completion of
5.0 courses, including at least
2.0 at or above the 300 level, as listed below.
Required Courses
WST 210S: Introduction to Women's Studies (1c)
WST 311D: Development of Feminist Thought (1c)
WST 312D: Contemporary Feminist Thought (1c)
WST electives (2)
Students may elect additional WST courses for a total of 8.0
courses in the minor, within a 40.5 course degree program.
Women's Studies and the Liberal Studies
Major
In the residential program, the women's studies minor
is available as an option to include in the liberal studies major. In addition,
the program co-sponsors a concentration in English and women's studies that
is also available for the liberal studies major. See the liberal studies section
of the catalog for complete information about the major.
Women's Studies Courses
WST 110S: Women, Law and Justice
(1.0 course)
(Open to all students; cross-listed as LPR 110S)
Criminal and civil law, feminist legal theory and jurisprudence, legal reasoning,
current issues in the courts, torts and case briefs figure in this introductory
course. Legal and allied professionals serve as guest speakers. Students write
weekly reaction papers.
WST 210S: Introduction to Women's Studies
(1.0 course)
(Open to all students)
This course introduces the major areas and methods of inquiry in the academic
discipline of women's studies. Contemporary issues that impact women's lives
are examined in the contexts of work, education, the family, health systems,
economics, government, politics, etc. The status of women in many cultures
is explored historically and comparatively with emphasis on historical precedents
of women's studies and international women's rights movements of the 20th century.
WST 280: Women's Studies Topics
(Variable credit)
(Prerequisite: dependent upon topic)
Study of specific topics that relate to women's issues and women's experience.
Topics include: "Addicted Women: Substance Abuse" and "Compulsive Behaviors."
WST 285S: Islam, Politics and Gender (1c)
(1.0 course)
(Open to all students; crosslisted as PSC285S and REL285S.)
This course introduces Islam as a religion, a framework for community and a
way of governance. The various strains of Islam will be presented, including
the Sunni/Shi'a split and Islamic fundamentalism. Gender issues are introduced
as a debate characteristic of modern Islam domestically, within other cultures
and across cultures. The goal is to develop a student's ability to analyze
an eclectic religion and its concomitant political systems.
WST 308: Women Writers
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisites: ENG102 or 206 and one 200- level ENG or WST course, or permission
of the instructor; cross-listed as ENG 308)
This course analyzes women's literatures in English of various cultures and
periods considering the history of critical attention given to them. In addition
to standard genres of poetry, fiction and drama, this course includes reading
in nontraditional genres: essays, diaries and letters, and performance art.
WST 310C: Gender Across Cultures
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisite: WST 210S and junior or senior standing or permission of the
instructor)
Biography, autobiography, literature and social science texts provide cross-cultural
perspectives on the lives of girls and women in the 20th century. The focus
of the course is on social, economic, legal and ideological aspects of women's
position in selected developing societies compared with industrialized societies.
Students explore ways in which attitudes about women have influenced women's
material and cultural contributions to their respective societies. Both differences
and connections will be shown to exist among women separated by cultural, racial
and national boundaries.
WST 311D: Development of Feminist Thought
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisite: WST 210S or permission of instructor)
The evolution of feminist theory in its cultural and historical contexts, examined
through early writings of women's movements. Emphasis is on the writing of
American, English and European women of the 19th and 20th centuries and the
impact of their thought and action on American women and American society.
WST 312D: Contemporary Feminist Thought
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisite: WST 210S or permission of instructor)
Examination of theories of the post-World War II wave of international women's
movements, including the works of North and South American, African, British,
Australian and French writers. Diversity of feminist perspectives is considered
as the student develops a theoretical base of her own.
WST 355C: Women in Art
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisite: ARH101A or permission of instructor; cross-listed as ARH355C)
This course explores the contributions women have made to painting, sculpture
and architecture from the Renaissance to the present time in Europe and America.
WST 365D: Women, Science and Society
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisite: junior or senior standing or permission of instructor; cross-listed
as NSC 365D)
This course will broaden the student's understanding of the far-reaching impact
that feminist analysis has had on all fields of knowledge, including the field
of science. Contemporary women in science are changing the way people think
about science and practice it. Students in the course will benefit from exposure
to cross-cultural analysis of science and some of the ways that people from
various cultures understand the human relationship to the world.
WST 380: Topics in Women's Studies
(Variable credit)
(Prerequisite: dependent upon topic)
A study of specific topics that relate to women's issues and women's experience.
Topics include: "Images of Women in Film," "Reproductive Rights and Freedom," "Re-Vision:
Female Perspectives on the European Encounter with the Americas," "Women's
Health Across the Lifespan," "Women and the Law," "Picturing the Future Sustainable
Society," and "Women in the History of European and American Art."
WST 464: Women and Communication
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisite: MCO 101 or WST 210S and senior standing; cross-listed as MCO
464)
An examination (through both qualitative and quantitative analysis) of women's
image and power in the mass communication industry today—in publishing,
broadcasting and advertising—and a study of remarkable women pioneers
in 20th century media. This is a capstone course for majors in mass communication
and is also appropriate for seniors in the women's studies minor. Offered spring
semester only.
Independent Study
Independent studies (special studies, tutorials, readings,
projects) may be proposed by students who wish to investigate a subject not
otherwise available. Information about independent study may be obtained in
the department offices or in the Office of the Registrar.
