Women's Studies
Women's studies is an interdisciplinary field that provides a framework for examining women's and men's lives within individual, familial, national and global systems. Analysis of the complex intersections of individual and cultural factors, such as gender, sex, race, ethnicity, class, sexual orientation, age, religion and ability, and how they relate to power and social justice are integrated throughout the program.
Women's studies courses challenge students to reconsider assumptions about the similarities and differences between and among women and men. Students expand their knowledge of the experiences of groups who are often not highlighted in traditional curricula. As a result of increased knowledge, new perspectives and self-reflection, students gain an enhanced understanding of themselves and a greater respect for people of diverse populations.
Minor in Women's Studies
The women's studies minor enhances women's and men's preparation for careers and promotes personal growth.
A minor in women's studies better equips a person for professional and personal life by promoting critical-thinking skills as well as a keen awareness of how gender and diversity affect perspectives and experiences. Employers often prioritize hiring candidates who appreciate and respect diversity and who are able to successfully work with diverse populations.
Advancement and success in many professional fields require taking advantage of the recent explosion of new information about gender, multiculturalism and cultural competence. The minor complements a wide range of fields, such as sociology, anthropology, criminal justice, education, social work, business, nursing, counseling, law, art, journalism, political science, athletics, English, medicine and psychology, to name a few.
Women's studies is a unique discipline in academia. Students have the opportunity and are encouraged to explore their relationship to the content of the curricula and to gain a deeper, more personal understanding of the material.
21 credits (12 of the 21 required credits must be in 300- and 400-level courses.)
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| WST 200 Introduction to Women's Studies | 3 credits |
| WST 400 Capstone: Adv. Women's Studies | 3 credits |
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| ANT 300 Cultural Views of Women | 3 credits |
| ENG 127 Woman as Hero | 3 credits |
ENG 315 Survey of American Women Writers | 3 credits |
| HIS 309 Gender in Latin America | 3 credits |
| HIS 312 Women in Europe | 3 credits |
| HIS 325 History of American Women | 3 credits |
| NUR 101 Women's Health Issues | 3 credits |
| PSY 311 Psychology of Gender Roles | 3 credits |
| SOC 290 Gender and Work | 3 credits |
| SOC 320 International Women's Movements | 3 credits |
| WST 300 Selected Topics | 3 credits |
| WST 320 Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer Studies | 3 credits |
| WST 330 Examining Gender, Race, Sexuality and Class in Visual Media | 3 credits |
| WST 430 Women's Studies Internship | 3 credits |
The remaining course work should include three of the following courses. Students may also select from the remaining courses not chosen above.
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| ANT 300 Cultural Views of Women | 3 credits |
| ANT 329 Anthropology Internship | 3 credits |
| ECE 319 Parent/Community Involvement in Education | 3 credits |
| ECE 405 Early Childhood Education Seminar | 3 credits |
| EDU 310 Teaching Multicultural Society | 3 credits |
| ENG 116 Myth, Magic and Mysticism | 3 credits |
| ENG 127 Woman as Hero | 3 credits |
| ENG 315 Survey of American Women Writers | 3 credits |
| GTY 200 Aging in American Society | 3 credits |
| GTY 300 Aging Policies and Services | 3 credits |
| GTY 310 Aging in the Family | 3 credits |
| GTY 330 Dying, Death and Bereavement | 3 credits |
| GTY 340 Diversity in Aging | 3 credits |
| HIS 309 Gender in Latin America | 3 credits |
| HIS 312 Women in Europe | 3 credits |
| HIS 325 History of American Women | 3 credits |
| HIS 347 Race and Ethnicity in U.S. | 3 credits |
| HIS 352 Native American to 1850 | 3 credits |
| HIS 353 Native American from 1850 | 3 credits |
| HIS 366 History of Modern Latin America | 3 credits |
| HIS 445 Social History | 3 credits |
| JUS 215 Victimology | 3 credits |
| JUS 399 Selected Topics (with WST director's approval) | 3 credits |
| PHI 225 Social/Political Philosophy | 3 credits |
| PSY 311 Psychology of Gender Roles | 3 credits |
| POS 322 Politics in Middle East | 3 credits |
| POS 323 Politics in Latin America | 3 credits |
| POS 325 Politics in Asia | 3 credits |
| POS 326 Politics in Africa | 3 credits |
| PSY 424 Capstone (with WST director's approval) | 3 credits |
| PSY 425 Project (with WST director's approval) | 3 credits |
| SOC 205 Contemporary Social Problems | 3 credits |
| SOC 210 Social Stratification | 3 credits |
| SOC 290 Gender and Work | 3 credits |
| SOC 315 Social Minorities | 3 credits |
| SOC 320 International Women's Movements | 3 credits |
| SOC 325 The Family | 3 credits |
| SOC 377 Modern Freedom Movements | 3 credits |
| SOC 410 Social Theory and Society | 3 credits |
| SOW 303 Human Sex and Society | 3 credits |
| SOW 308 Minority Group Relations | 3 credits |
| SOW 340 Poverty/Related Social Problems | 3 credits |
| SOW 495 Seminar in Special Topics (with WST director's approval) | 3 credits |
| WST 300 Selected Topics in Women's Studies | 3 credits |
| WST 320 Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer Studies | 3 credits |
| WST 330 Examining Gender, Race, Sexuality and Class in Visual Media | 3 credits |
| WST 430 Internship in Women's Studies | 3 credits |
For more information about the Women's Studies Program, classes or requirements for the minor, contact Dr. Marta McClintock-Comeaux, director of women's studies, Women's Studies Program, California University of Pennsylvania, 250 University Ave., California, PA 15419; 724-938-5245; mcclintock@calu.edu.