Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies is an interdisciplinary, academic course of study that lies at the intersection of various traditional academic disciplines such as literature, history, and philosophy in the humanities; psychology and sociology in the social sciences; and biology and geography in the natural sciences. Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies also has found a prominent place in areas such as education, communications, urban studies, and health sciences. Wherever issues of gender and sexuality are germane to a discipline, Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies can be found, bringing new models of understanding to all areas of study.
As an interdisciplinary concentration, Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies draws its core faculty from multiple disciplines across campus. Each faculty member's information can be found at the respective department for each of the courses. The Program Coordinator for Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies can be contacted at wgss@worcester.edu for more information about the program.
AR-225 Art Since Mid-20th Century
LASC Categories: CA, GP, WAC, DAC
Explores how artists have challenged the traditional definitions of the art object and the expanded materials, media and concepts employed by artists since 1950 to the present era.
Fall only and every year. 3 Credits
CM-213 Gender and the Media
LASC Categories: HBS, TLC, DAC, WAC
Prerequisites: CM-100 and EN-102
This course will explore how difference is socially constructed along gender lines and will explore the intersections of gender, identity, power and media representation.
Every 2-3 years. 3 Credits
CM-350 Intercultural Communication
Prerequisites: CM-100
Introductory communication theory and practice across cultural groups defined by race, ethnicity, gender, religion, age, nationality, politics and economics.
3 Credits
ED-330 Elementary Social Studies and Mulriculturalism
Goals, curriculum, skills, issues, teaching strategies in educating diverse populations in a global context. 10 hours of fieldwork. Prerequiste: Admitted into Stage 2
Fall and Spring and every year. 3 Credits
EN-132 World Literature
LASC Categories: GP, DAC, TLC
Representative poems, stories, plays, both ancient and modern, from Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
Fall and Spring and other or on demand. 3 Credits
EN-167 Literature and Human Rights
LASC Categories: GP, DAC
An analysis of international creative writing dealing with the subject of human rights. Resource persons from different fields will be utilized.
Every 2-3 years. 3 Credits
EN-172 Women and Literature
LASC Categories: WAC, TLC, GP
Explores basic issues and problems in literature by and about women.
Every year. 3 Credits
EN-174 Women Poets
LASC Categories: TLC, WAC, GP
Prerequisites: Fulfillment of Writing II
A close reading and analysis of poetry written by women from a historical as well as a contemporary feminist perspective.
Other or on demand. 3 Credits
EN-348 Postcolonial Women's Writing
LASC Categories: GP
Prerequisites: EN-102
Writing by women from colonized and formerly colonized countries on local and global issues shaping women's lives and creative expression.
Every 2-3 years. 3 Credits
HC-234 Multiculturalism and Health
Examination of diverse ethnic/racial and cultural beliefs beliefs and practices affecting health and illness
Spring only and every year. 3 Credits
HE-210 Women's Health Issues
Overview of women's health issues: women in the health marketplace, a woman's right to control her body, media images and illness, eating disorders, therapy, alcohol, aging and the women's health movement.
Fall and Spring and every year. 3 Credits
HE-230 Human Sexuality and Sex Education
Prerequisites: HE-100
Focus on the need for and understanding of sex education, along with the process of implementing sexuality education, with emphasis upon teacher preparation.
Every year. 3 Credits
HI-216 Economic History of the United States
An introduction to United States economic development; particular attention will be paid to industrialization and the labor force. Counts for Europe/United States in the History major.
Every 2-3 years. 3 Credits
HI-217 US Social History
LASC Categories: TLC, USW, WAC
Considers topics and approaches in the field of social history in the United States. Counts for Europe/US in History major. [Applicable to Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Minor.]
Every 2-3 years. 3 Credits
HI-274 The History of Gender and Sexuality in America
LASC Categories: TLC, USW
The history of sexuality and gender in America. Includes investigations of lesbian and gay histories; transgender histories; attempts to regulate and define sexuality; practices of birth control; the intersections of race, class, and gender; the social construction of gender; and the challenges of doing hidden histories. Counts for Europe/US in the History major. [Applicable to the Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Minor.]
Every 2-3 years. 3 Credits
HI-333 Women in Latin America
Prerequisites: HI-213 HI-214 HI-226 or HI-247
Examines the roles of women in diverse societies including Mexico, Brazil and Caribbean nations. Emphasis on the modern period. Counts for Africa/Latin America in the History major.
Every 2-3 years. 3 Credits
HI-350 Native American Women
Prerequisites: HI-205 or equivalent.
Examines Indian women from the time of European contact to the modern era. Emphasizes culture, community and arenas of power. Counts for Europe/United States in the History major.
Every 2-3 years. 3 Credits
HI-353 The Age of Reform: 1877-1920
Prerequisites: HI-111 and HI-112
An analysis of the transformation of America, including reform response to the Gilded Age's industrialization, urbanization and immigration patterns. Counts for Europe/United States in the History major.
Every 2-3 years. 3 Credits
MU-231 Women in Music
LASC Categories: CA, TLC
A survey of the role of women in music, particularly the great composers from Medieval to Contemporary times.
3 Credits
NU-340 Nursing Science Ii: Pediatrics (track I)
LASC Categories: NLL, DAC
Prerequisites: NU-210 NU-216 NU-309 NU-310 NU-430 Take EN-250 EN-202 or EN-102;
Prerequisites or Corequisite: NU-315
Concepts of wellness, disease, and health behavior are examined as the nursing process is operationalized in the care of acutely ill pediatric patients. Lecture and an off-site clinical experience are included in this course.
Spring only and every year. 4.5 Credits
PH-150 Women in Western Ideas
LASC Categories: HBS, TLC, DAC
Investigates the concept of "woman" from ancient Greece to the present.
Every 2-3 years. 3 Credits
PH-152 Philosophy of Love and Sex
LASC Categories: HBS, ICW, DAC
Investigates the concepts of love and sex and structural and discursive factors contributing to our daily experiences of these phenomena.
Every year. 3 Credits
PH-178 Africana Philosophy
LASC Categories: TLC, USW, DAC
Explores the philosophy of the African diaspora in African, African American and Caribbean writings. The course addresses both historical and contemporary material across intersections of race, gender, and class using philosophy, history, and literature.
Every 2-3 years. 3 Credits
PH-240 Political Theory
LASC Categories: USW, TLC
Investigates concepts including political power, equality, revolution, liberties, slavery, socialism and patriarchal power, race and gender.
Every year. 3 Credits
PH-241 Genocide and Human Rights
LASC Categories: USW, GP
This course treats the ethical, political, and other dimensions of systematic mass violence through case studies and general theoretical analyses.
Every 2-3 years. 3 Credits
PH-250 Global Feminisms
LASC Categories: TLC, GP
Investigates the theoretical underpinnings of women's movements for equal rights around the globe.
Every 2-3 years. 3 Credits
PH-254 Feminist Theory
LASC Categories: HBS, USW, DAC
Feminist Theory: Examines the development of feminist ideas and movements from the 18th century to the present, in the US and, particularly in recent decades, globally. A close analysis of Second Wave, Postmodern, and Black Feminist ideas are studied as a basis for writings and social action that attends to issues of race, class, gender, and sexuality, using intersectional methodologies and critiques to address issues of reproduction and health, labor and economic power, violence, and state power.
Other or on demand and every year. 3 Credits
PS-255 Psychological Foundations of Diversity
Prerequisites: PS-101 with a C- or above.
Explores the gender, racial/ethnic, multiple-group membership, cultural, social class, religious, disability and sexual orientation facets of diversity.
Other or on demand and every year. 3 Credits
PS-260 Psychology of Human Sexuality
Prerequisites: PS-101 with a C- or above.
Sexuality as a foundation of personality. The wide range of human sexuality is explored; sexual development, roles, attitudes and behaviors.
Other or on demand and every 2-3 years. 3 Credits
PS-263 Psychology of Women
Prerequisites: PS-101 with a C- or above.
Women's psychological development throughout the lifespan will be examined, including female development, achievement, stereotyping, stress, violence and psychological disorders.
Other or on demand and every 2-3 years. 3 Credits
SO-285 Race, Class and Gender
LASC Categories: HBS, DAC
An introduction to dominant-minority group relations through the investigation of the patterns and dynamics of differentiation, inequality and discrimination.
3 Credits
SO-355 Gender and Sexuality
LASC Categories: HBS, ICW, DAC
This course introduces the sociologist study of gender and sexuality. This course examines how social institutions and cultural norms construct particular gender roles and sexual identities within society.
3 Credits
SP-292 Spanish for Women's Health
LASC Categories: GP, ICW, DAC
Prerequisites: SP-211 or above, or 3 years of language instruction.
In this course, students will develop communication skills in Spanish using information and vocabulary related to women's health. The content of this course focuses on language used in health professions as well as cultural situations. By familiarizing students with conversational Spanish and medical Spanish, this course will enable students to apply their learning to real-world situations, to assist in communications, and ultimately to break down the barrier between professionals and Spanish-speakers. Finally, the course's focus on cultural competency interrogates intersections between women's health and topics including but not limited to politics, economics, gender, sexuality, race and age.
Spring only and every 2-3 years. 3 Credits
SP-349 Spanish-American Literature
Prerequisites: SP-321
Representative works from South and Central American authors from the colonial period to the present.
Fall only and every 2-3 years. 3 Credits
UR-103 Introduction to Women's Studies
LASC Categories: DAC, ICW, HBS
This course uses a variety of academic disciplines to study the situation of women around the world.
Every year. 3 Credits
UR-290 Gender and the City
LASC Categories: WAC, GP, HBS
Prerequisites: EN-102
Exploration of the ways in which gender, both male and female, structures responses of individuals to urban life and spaces.
Every 2-3 years. 3 Credits
WO-481 Independent Study in Women's, Gender, And Sexuality Studies
Prerequisites: EN-102.
An opportunity for further study in a special area of interest under faculty supervision. Topic to be approved by an independent study advisor.
Other or on demand and other or on demand. 1-3 Credits