Women's Studies Major
Women's Studies is a multi-disciplinary course of study that fosters understanding of the ways in which social patterning of female and male roles impacts on human behavior and on the accumulation of knowledge.
Program Overview
The course listings below are a representation of what this academic program requires.
For a full review of this program in detail please see our official online academic bulletin
AND consult with an academic advisor. This listing does not include the General Education
courses required for all majors and may not include some program specific information, such as admissions, retention, and termination standards.
(Click on the course name or number for a complete course description.)
Women's Studies Major
Women's Studies is a multi-disciplinary course of study that fosters understanding of the ways in which social patterning of female and male roles impacts on human behavior and on the accumulation of knowledge. It satisfies the needs of students working in a large number of disciplines. The Women's Studies major requires 30 hours of coursework and a second major taken in any discipline offered at Central Michigan University.
The director of the Women's Studies Program serves as advisor for all students taking this major.
( Additional Requirements:
1. Completion of a second major in any discipline offered by CMU.
2. Courses must be selected in consultation with an advisor.
Total: 30 semester hours
For additional information, see the list of advisors in the Class Schedule Booklet. )
3
WST 328/HST 326 Women in America
Study of the traditional position of women in American society as documented in historical, literary, and biographical sources. Identical to HST 326. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. (University Program Group I-A)
3
WST 426/PHL 426/PSC 426 Feminist Theory
Examines the way women have been described by the Western philosophical tradition from its beginnings to the present and offers alternative analyses to this tradition. Identical to PSC 426 and PHL 426. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. Prerequisites: permission of instructor, or at least junior standing and either one course in philosophy or one of the following courses: PSC 275, PSC 326, PSC 371, PSC 373, or PSC 378.
3
WST 496 Capstone Seminar in Women's Studies
An interdisciplinary capstone seminar in Women’s Studies integrating feminist theory, research and practice with particular attention to analysis of global movements, cultural institutions and science. Prerequisites: WST 328/HST 326, WST/PHL/PSC 426, and six additional hours in Women’s Studies.
(9 hours)
Required Courses I
Three of the following
3
WST 230/ECO 230 Women in the Economy
A study of the past and present role of women in the economy, as workers, both inside and outside the labor market. Identical to ECO 230. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. (University Program Group IV-A)
3
WST 317/SOC 317 Sociology of Sex and Gender
Analysis of the role of gender in institutions such as the economy, the family and the schools. Gender inequality and factors that promote its reproduction. Identical to SOC 317. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. Recommended: One of the following: SOC 100 or 201 or 221.
3
WST 326/PSC 326 Women and Politics
This course will look primarily at empirical studies of women's role in politics in the U.S. but also in other contexts. Identical to PSC 326. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. (University Program Group IV-A)
3
WST 334/PSY 334 Psychology of Women
Explores psychological issues pertaining specifically to women in the following areas: affective and cognitive functioning, personality theories, adult role behaviors, sexuality and physical and mental health. Identical to PSY 334. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. (University Program Group III-A)
3
WST 430/GRN 430 Women and Aging
Multiple theoretical perspectives examine the status of older women, individual psychological, social and physical development, roles in family and society, and policy implications. Identical to GRN 430. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. Prerequisite: GRN 247 or PSY 325 or HSC 390.
3
WST 590/ANT 590/SOC 590 Gender, Culture, and Society
Analysis of gender roles in various cultures; theoretical approaches to explaining gender role variation. Identical to ANT 590 and SOC 590. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. Prerequisites: 6 hours of anthropology and/or sociology and /or women's studies.
(6 hours)
Required Courses II
Two of the following
3
WST 207/REL 207 Women in Religion
The place and image of women in major religious traditions. Emphasis on current literature about religious reform, creation of alternative institutions, new concepts of spirituality. Identical to REL 207. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. (University Program Group IV-A)
3
WST 303/REL 303 Goddesses
Interdisciplinary study of nature and role of goddesses in selected cultures, ancient and modern. Examination of issues raised when contemporary groups employ/reinvent goddess concepts. Identical to REL 303. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses.
3
WST 327/ENG 327 Women Writers
Readings in fiction, poetry, and autobiography by women writers of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, approached through contemporary feminist views. Identical to ENG 327. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses.
3
WST 354/HST 354 Women in European History
Surveys and analyzes the traditional and nontraditional roles of women in European history, using new historical research. Identical to HST 354. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses.
3
WST 362/COM 362 Gender Communication
Focuses on the role of communication in the creation and perpetuation of gender stereo types. Emphasis on personal growth and awareness in a variety of contexts. Identical to COM 362. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses.
3
WST 382/ART 382 Women and Art
Women's identities as artists, patrons, viewers, and subjects of representation, their changes historically, and their relationship to definitions of art. Identical to ART 382. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses.
Chosen from the courses not selected from the lists above, or from the following group:
3
JRN 380 Racial Diversity: Mass Media's Role
Critical, historical examination of African-American, Hispanic, Asian, Native American and gender stereotypes in mass media. Self-portrayals by these groups using mass media. (Group IV-C)
3
MGT 357 Women in Management
Opportunities, challenges, and problems of women in pursuing a career in management. Considers changing roles, legal aspects, differences and effect on male-female relationships. This course is approved for offering in a distance learning format. Prerequisites: MGT 258 or MGT 312; 56 semester hours completed; admission to Professional Business Studies or listed on signed major or minor.
3
WST 202/HSC 202 Women's Health
Study of women's health, including reproductive health issues and female health problems. Emphasis on knowledge for active participation in health care, healthy lifestyles, and preventive measures. Identical to HSC 202. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses.
3
WST 213/HDF 213 Introduction to Human Sexuality
Human sexual development throughout the human life cycle. Emphasis on understanding and acceptance of self as a sexually functioning person. Identical to HDF 213. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses.
3
WST 221/HST 221 Growing Up in America
Child rearing, education, social experiences, search for identity, and finding a career from colonial times to the present. Emphasis on late nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Identical to HST 221. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. (University Program Group IV-A)
3-6
WST 297 Special Topics in Women's Studies
Course covers special topics of interest to Women's Studies not covered in existing courses. Course title will be listed on student's transcript.
2
WST 319/PES 319 Women and Sport
An investigation of the motivational and social implications of women's participation in sport. Identical to PES 319. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses.
3
WST 325/BLR 325 Women and the Law
Examines perceptions and behavior toward women and their struggle for change so as to achieve gender equality through use of the law. Identical to BLR 325. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. (University Program Group III-A)
3
WST 410/SOC 410 Women, Crime and Deviance
Theories and concepts fundamental to reconceptualizing women's relationships to crime and "deviance." Violence against women, women as victims and offenders, poverty, and "deviant" sexualities. Identical to SOC 410. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. Prerequisites: SOC 300, SOC 301; or signed Women's Studies major or minor.
3-6
WST 497 Special Topics in Women's Studies
Course covers special topics of interest to Women's Studies not covered in existing courses. Course title will be listed on student's transcript.