GWS 100 - Introduction to Feminist Studies

1. Explain the history of and current status of the feminist movement in the United States and globally. Describe the emergence of Women’s Studies as an academic discipline.
2. Apply theoretical concepts of intersectionality and social/cultural construction as applied to race, gender, class, sexuality, and other social categories and identities.
3. Define sex and gender and explain the difference between them and the significance of this difference.
4. Identify the importance of gender and sexuality in social institutions, such as the economy,  marriage and the family, education, government, media, politics, and religion.

1. Feminist Studies: Study of Gender, Culture, and Society
   1. Women in the history of the United States from 1600’s to present
   2. Analysis of the features of 19^th and 20^th century feminism
   3. Women and world systems and non-western societies
2. Theoretical Approaches to Gender
   1. Rights of women and the liberation of women
   2. Gender theories: liberal, radical, and socialist theories
   3. Gender and race in first and second waves of United States feminisms
   4. Global feminism and women’s lives in non-western societies
   5. Resistance, alliance, and coalitions
3. Learning Gender Socialization
   1. Intersections of race, class, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, physical and learning challenges of women in the United States
   2. Early gender socialization and psychological theories
   3. Growing up feminine or masculine
   4. Nature, sex, and gender
   5. Intersection of nature and environment
4. Contemporary Feminist Issues: Socialization, Work, and Family
   1. Nature versus nurture theoretical approaches
   2. Family economy and traditional women’s work
   3. Industrialization and the transition to wage labor
   4. Global economy and non-western women’s lives, the nature versus nurture theoretical approaches, women in global historical perspectives
   5. Social welfare policies
5. Body and Health Issues
   1. Health, food, and beauty
   2. Reproduction, reproductive freedom, children
   3. Non-western women’s lives: body, food, and health
6. Gender Issues and Intimacy
   1. Women’s sexuality: heterosexuality and patriarchy
   2. Gay, bisexual, and lesbian relationships
   3. Sex and violence:  domestic violence and child abuse
   4. Sex and violence:  rape and sexual harassment
   5. Women and psychotherapy
   6. Non-western women’s lives and violence
   7. United States and international gay and lesbian movements
7. Gender and the Economy
   1. Women in the United States economy: historical perspectives
   2. Gendered division of labor in the global economy
8. Gender, Politics, Government, and the Military
   1. Gender and politics
   2. Gender and government
   3. Physical and learning challenges of women in the United States
   4. Gender and international politics and government
9. Gender, Education, Creativity, and Language
   1. Sexism and gender
   2. Gender and the media
   3. Gender and education
   4. Gender, education and participation of international women
10. Gender and Spirituality
    1. Utopian and dystopian visions
    2. Gender and religion
    3. Religion, politics, and social change
    4. Feminist spirituality
    5. International challenges to religious patriarchy
    6. Movements for social change: war, peace, and spirituality