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Perspectives on Gender takes an interdisciplinary look at males and females in society. With rotating faculty from various departments, we will explore how various academic disciplines address gender issues. Topics covered may include: the history of the women's movement; the biological basis of gender distinctions; feminists ethics; gender representations in the media; feminist literary theory; gender and religion; issues of gender in the business world; issues of gender in science; gender issues in children's literature.
Social Science. Cultural Diversity. While there are biological differences between the sexes, in this course we will explore the social aspects of gender from a sociological perspective. From this view, gender is treated as separate from sex, because gender is the study of differing social expectations for people according to their sex. We will examine how gender is defined, constructed, and reinforced within society, and how all this relates to gender identities and gender inequality. With a critical eye on gender's social construction, we will address issues of gender acquisition and explore the interactions between gender and other socially-constructed categories such as race/ethnicity and class as well as social institutions.
Cultural Diversity. Faith & Reason-Theology. This course examines how gender-with its pervasive historical-cultural meanings-has given shape to and challenged Christianity. It studies how biblical texts, religious practices and traditions, and theological discourse have been skewed through a "patriarch-ization" of Christianity. It critically examines how becoming androcentric has eclipsed the experience of women and even led to their oppression. Finally the course explores how various forms of feminist theologies attempt to incorporate the experience of women, to retrieve their contributions, and to enrich Christianity with many new and life-giving symbols, forms of thought and ways of living.
Faith & Reason-Philosophy. Ethical Reasoning. An investigation of main concepts and key issues at the heart of gender feminist studies. Particular attention is devoted to the examination of major theories, their specific contributions, their critique, and the broad spectrum of perspectives at stake.
Social Science. Cultural Diversity. Students will examine the interactive relationships between gender and communication in contemporary American society. Course will explore ways that communication creates and perpetuates gender roles and how socially created gender roles are enacted in public and private settings. Students will connect research to everyday lives.
Social Science. This course immerses students in an array of important texts and conversations, primarily from the past century, surrounding gender and sexuality. Our time together this semester will be spent in seminar-style discussions engaged with key texts, thinking together about all the ways that human life is tangled up with conceptions and misconceptions of gender and sexuality. Upon completing this course students will have: (1) carried out a significant research project in gender studies; (2) gained facility and familiarity with major texts of gender theory and utilized at least one of these texts for critical scholarly analysis; (3) understood historical developments and trajectories in theories of gender and sexuality; (4) developed communication skills necessary to discuss sensitive and controversial questions surrounding gender and sexuality with a variety of audiences. In addition, the students plan and conduct the events associated with Spring Fever Week in February.
Social Science. Special Topics courses include ad-hoc courses on various selected topics that are not part of the regular curriculum, however they may still fulfill certain curricular requirements. Special topics courses are offered at the discretion of each department and will be published as part of the semester course schedule - view available sections for more information. Questions about special topics classes can be directed to the instructor or department chair.