BSU Catalog Home | Women's Studies Program | All-University Courses and Descriptions

Course Offerings: Women's Studies

(WMST) College-Program: 09-62. Read description fro prerequisites. Check with Department for quarter when courses are offered.

260 WOMEN AND DIVERSITY: CROSSING BOUNDARIES (4 credits). An integrated study of the complexity and diversity of the historical and contemporary realities of women across culture, race, class, age, ethnicity and sexual identity with an emphasis on the ways these are inextricably intertwined and rooted in the structure of social institutions. Moves from a personal awareness of women's issues toward a social, political, economic, and cross-cultural analysis. Students will examine their own lives and values and those of others regarding powerlessness, prejudice, and discrimination. Prerequisite: WMST 222 or consent of instructor. (Applies to Liberal Education Area VI , Area VII ).

310 TOPICS IN WOMEN'S STUDIES: (SUB-TITLED) (4 credits). Diverse topics encompass and international range of women's experiences and women's lives and may include sources from literature, law, history, myth-religion, psychology, sociology, philosophy and theology, and the visual arts. Past topics include: Myths & Spirituality; Mother, Daughter, Self; Writing Women's Lives; Art, Erotica & Pornography in American Culture; Reproductive Freedom; Indigenous Women's Issues. May be taken for credit under different subtitles.

319 FEMINIST THEORIES & CRITIQUES (4 credits). A critical examination of the main currents in contemporary feminist thought, including a comprehensive analysis various feminist thinkers, theorists and scholars. Designed to explore systems of ideas which explain the nature and causes of women's conditions and serve as practical tools for feminists who seek to change that condition. Prerequisite: WMST 260 or consent of instructor.

330 OUR BODIES, OURSELVES: THE POLITICS OF WOMEN'S HEALTH (4 credits). An overview of the politics and issues women face within the U.S. health care system, with an emphasis on meeting the needs of women as consumers and providers of health care. Students will document their own health history, become familiar with the health information and resources available for women, understand how to be more proactive and informed in decisions regarding their own health and well being, demonstrate a general awareness and understanding of both common and uncommon health problems of particular concern to women. Topics include gender violence, body image, and self esteem, sexuality, fertility management, child birth, menstruation, and menopause. Class presentation and format includes both conceptual material and experiential activities. (Applies to Liberal Education Area VII ).

370 SPECIAL PROJECTS IN WOMEN'S STUDIES (1-4 credits). Students complete a conference, seminar, workshop, or project on a topic related to Women's Studies. Prior approval must be obtained from the Director. A journal, written paper and/or oral presentation is to be presented following the learning experience. The number of credits will correspond to the nature of the experience and the time spent. Graded satisfactory/unsatisfactory only.

475 PRACTICUM IN WOMEN'S STUDIES (2-4 credits). Students complete supervised practice in a woman-centered setting, such as acting as a student teaching assistant in a Women's Studies class or volunteering at a Women's Center or Shelter. Credit may also be earned for conducting special projects or research on a topic relevant to women. Prior approval must be obtained from the Director. A journal, written paper and/or oral presentation is to be presented following the learning experience. The number of credits will correspond to the nature of the experience and the time spent. Graded satisfactory/unsatisfactory only.

482 THE THEORY AND PRACTICE OF FEMINIST SCHOLARSHIP (4 credits). A forum for interested faculty and students to join in a collaborative effort to investigate the contribution feminist scholarship has made across the curriculum. As a capstone activity, each student will produce an original piece of work, in the student's own discipline, which will focus on a women's issue and will utilize a feminist perspective and feminist theory as the conceptual framework for research and analysis. Prerequisite: WMST 319 or consent of instructor.