Courses

Course Number     Course Description
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200 Level Courses             300 Level Courses             400 Level Courses
     
WGST 201 - Sex, Gender & Society     Explores theories and research on the constructions of masculinity and femininity and how these influence our individual lives and social institutions. 3.0 Credits
WGST 220C – Studies In Fiction     The elements of fiction through careful examination and discussion of short stories and novels. While not all authors read are female, the focus is primarily on female characters, gender roles, and feminist themes and issues. This course satisfies the ENGL 200 requirement. 3.0 Credits. Prerequisites: ENGL 101, and ENGL 102
WGST 237C – Ethics     Explores several approaches to ethics, including a feminist perspective, considering how each theoretical approach is grounded. Examines the process of ethical decision-making and how gender affects how we approach ethical issues. Contemporary ethical issues are examined, some of which are gender-related. This course satisfies the PHIL 301 requirement. 3.0 Credits. Prerequisites: PHIL 201.
WGST 251 – Feminist Intro to Old Test     This course introduces students to the Old Testament with special attention given to texts dealing with women. This course satisfies the RELI 100 requirement. 3.0 Credits.
WGST 252 - Feminist Christian Doctrine     An introduction to the academic discipline of Christian theology, and the way in which the Christian community makes believing possible and meaningful for contemporary people of faith. Particular attention is given to the impact of feminist scholarship on the doing of Christian theology. This course satisfies the RELI 200 requirement. 3.0 Credits. Prerequisites: RELI 100 level course.
WGST 255 - Women and Contemporary     The focus of this course is to examine the identity and mission of the church as an institution and a community of faith emerging from Vatican Council II. Feminist theology will provide the lens for examining the role of women in the church in both historical and contemporary situations. This course satisfies the RELI 200 requirement. 3.0 Credits. Prerequisites: RELI 100 level course.
WGST 265 - Biology of Disease     This course investigates how medicines work. It covers various affected organ systems (e.g., immune, endocrine, reproductive), the scientific method, development of effective medicines/treatments, and the potential sex/race/culture bias of experimental results from drug trails. Various diseases (e.g., AIDS, cancer, diabetes) and treatments will be covered in the course. Designed for non-science majors. 3.0 Credits.
WGST 270 - Sex and Gender in European History     An introductory survey of ideas about gender, sex, and the family in western culture, and women's experiences of and contributions to civilizations in the Mediterranean and western Europe from ancient times to the early modern period (circa 1600) Prerequisites: HIST 101
WGST 271C - Western Civilization I     An introduction to women and men in the civilizations in the Mediterranean region and Europe from circa 3100 BC to AD 1648, with a focus on political, social, economic, religious and cultural matters; this course will highlight individual and group ideas, institutions and events which have contributed to western society. 3.0 Credits.
WGST 321C - American Literature I     This course examines a variety of genres in American Literature through the 1840's: essays, novels, short stories, sermons, poems, women's captivity narratives, and autobiographies. The course will move from Spanish and Native American narratives of contact to the self-questioning of Puritan writers and the mythologizing tendencies of Crevecoeur, Franklin, Cooper, and later writers, in exploring Native American and African American texts as well as works by Emerson and Hawthorne, students will consider the ways in which gender and race help to shape an American literary canon. 3.0 Credits. Prerequisites: English Core.
WGST 313 - Think Globally, Act Locally     Studies the changes that globalization precipitates in the economy, in the capacity of the welfare state, and in civic activity. Develops new "habits of the heart" and political engagement, including advocacy; service learning through local organizations to perform all forms of household labor for women who are raising children alone.
WGST 323C - American Literature II     The course analyzes the development of American literature from the romanticism of the 1830s to the blooming of the American Renaissance of the 1850s and 1860s. Writers such as Hawthorne, Poe, Emerson, Whitman, Thoreau, and Dickinson will be read alongside less canonical writers such as Fuller, Davis, Douglass, Jacobs, and Stowe. This course seeks to broaden an understanding of American literature by reading works from a variety of genres (short stories, poems, essays, autobiographies, novels) and from writers of different races, classes, and geographical backgrounds. 3.0 Credits. Prerequisites: English Core.
WGST 324 - The Italian Historical Novel     This course will explore the development of the historical novel in Italy with a strong emphasis on modern historical novels. Prerequisite: ITAL 301.
WGST 325C - African American Literature     Examining both nineteenth- and twentieth-century literary works, African-American literature seeks to expose students to the historical, aesthetic, and cultural backgrounds of black writers and writing in America. Beginning with the classic slave narratives, late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century black intellectuals (e.g., Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. Dubois) will introduce the students to the social and political dissension among advocates of black liberation. The course will sample the aesthetic flowering of writers of the Harlem Renaissance (e.g. Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston) and twentieth-century plays and novels (e.g. Lorraine Hansberry, Ralph Ellison, Toni Morrison, August Wilson) Fulfills American literature requirement. 3.0 Credits. Prerequisites: English Core.
WGST 326C - American Literature III     This course surveys American literature from the 1870's to 1950. We will discuss some of the following developments and authors of the 19th century: The rise of realism (James, Wharton) and naturalism (Crane, Dreiser), regional literature (Jewett, Freeman), and African American literature (Washington, DuBois, Chesnutt). The survey of 20th-century works includes works by several modern poets (Eliot, Frost, Hughes), novelists (Hurson, Faulkner, Welty), and dramatists (Odetts, ONeill). 3.0 Credits. Prerequisites: English Core.
WGST 330 - Women in U.S. History     An examination of the roles, experiences, and activities of American women from the colonial period to the 1970’s. 3.0 Credits.
WGST 331 - Women in Colonial Latin America     This course will investigate the lives of women in both the pre-contact and post-conquest societies. The first part of the course concentrates on the activities of women, and their role in society, among the Aztecs, Inca, and Pueblo civilizations. The course will follow with the study of their experiences after the Spanish Conquest. The final section of the course will cover the variety of women, ranging from wealthy Spanish women, established nuns, marginal mystics, Indian leaders, and African women, and their experiences in the Spanish colonies. In the class, students will learn about and discuss the various gender systems which operated in different periods, and how these systems shaped women's lives as women shaped the systems themselves. 3.0 Credits.
WGST 340 - Women and Politics     History of the women’s movement in the U.S. Their present political power and future prospects. Survey of feminist theories and their impact on women’s political positions. 3.0 Credits.
WGST 341 - Urban Politics and City Life     "Why aren't our cities like that," asks University of Pennsylvania Professor Witold Rubczynski? We begin by asking this question. Explores city life and all the elements that define it, the problems and prospects of the urban policy that surround, influence, constrain and color city life. A course in political science complimented with an interdisciplinary literature--history, political -economy, urban studies and planning, organization theory, social criticism, even architecture.
WGST 342 - Women in Comp Societies     Compares the lives of women around the world: their public and private roles and responsibilities, positions in government, the economy, and the private sphere. Seeks to explain women’s status differences in various regions and societies by looking at the influence of culture, religion, economics, and politics. 3.0 Credits.
WGST 343 - Civil Lib:Class Race & Gender     Civil liberties are the legal face of democratic politics key issue: how combine majority rule and cultural pluralism and protection of individual rights? Begin with study of traditional civil liberties: tension between protecting individual rights and majority power in a democracy. Next how that traditional understanding overlooks justice for individuals not mainstream. Then in depth focus on two groups African Americans and women with books arguing why the traditional understanding of civil liberties fails to do justice. 3.0 Credits.
WGST 344 - American Social Policy     This course examines the origins, patterns, reforms, and criticisms of American social policy. Consideration of ties between knowledge and social policy, and the particular impact of education, health care, and welfare policies on women, children, different racial and ethnic groups, and the middle class. A review of normative claims for the proper role of the state and capitalism, as well as comparisons with other western, capitalist societies and their policy regimes. On sufficient demand. 3.0 Credits.
WGST 345 - Race and Ethnicity Politics in the US     Examines America's identity and diversity politics, its benefits to society as well as the divisions it fosters and democratic ideals it undermines. Attention to new controversies surrounding various immigrant and religious groups-a historic dilemma with global security implications since 9/11-and to the challenges of integrating and governing a modern, plural society in a global era.
WGST 350 - Women in Visual Arts 1875-1975     An introduction to women as creators of fine and decorative art within North America and Europe from 1875 to 2000. The course also addresses how women have been represented in art by men and other women. 3.0 Credits.
WGST 352 - Psychology of Gender     A review of both the theory and empirical literature investigating the psychology of gender (including biological cognitive, developmental and psychosocial models).
WGST 355 - Feminist Theologies     Examines the tasks of feminist theologians and surveys the challenges and unique contributions they make to the integrity and vitality of contemporary Christianity. This course satisfies the RELI 300 requirement. 3.0 Credits. Prerequisites: RELI 200 level course or equivalent
WGST 356 - Women & Christian Spirituality     Examines the tasks of feminist theologians and surveys the challenges and unique contributions they make to the integrity and vitality of contemporary Christianity. This course satisfies the RELI 300 requirement. 3.0 Credits. Prerequisites: RELI 200 level course or equivalent
WGST 360 - Gender, Family & Society     Examines images and practices of family life in American society. Uses historical material to show how ideals about family life have developed. Discusses definitions of family as political, with a special emphasis on the politics of gender. Connects debates over how to define and understand family with decisions about social policies. 3.0 Credits.
WGST 380 - Special Topics     Topic to be determined by instructor. 3.0 Credits.
WGST 384 – Women's Studies Internship     Opportunities to work as an intern with various agencies that assist women in Spokane. Students must take the initiative to contact an agency and a faculty supervisor. Students meet with a member of the women’s studies faculty to discuss their experiences and write a paper integrating their internship experience with their women’s studies coursework. Fall and Spring. 2.0 to 3.0 Credits.
WGST 401 - Feminist Thought     Analyzes several varieties of feminist theory to explore how concepts of women, gender, and feminism have changed, and the effects of these changes on the lives of women and men. Explores the interactions between sex, gender, social class, race, and ethnicity. Invites students to consider future possibilities for eliminating gender inequalities. 3.0 Credits. Prerequisites: SOCI 244 or WGST 201.
WGST 416 - 18th Century British     The British novel from 1700-1800. 3.0 Credits. Prerequisites: English Core.
WGST 417 - Tudor & Stuart Drama     Focuses on the varied dramatic traditions of Tudor and Stuart London besides Shakespeare. This is a period in which questions about gender roles were being openly debated, and in which literary and otherwise discursive interrogations of social roles, particularly the role of women, pervaded genres but were most vivid on stage. 3.0 Credits. Prerequisites: English Core.
WGST 418 - Shakespeare:Gender & Genre     This course will discuss the language, themes, and preoccupations of Shakespeare, as well as his social, philosophical, and historical context. All the texts selected for our close reading will feature strong female figures, and we will pay particular attention to the construction, impact, and implications of these women on other characters, on the form of their texts, and on us, the inheritors of their literary and cultural tradition. Readings will include Taming of the Shrew, Macbeth, and Anthony and Cleopatra, in addition to secondary sources featuring feminist theory and literary criticism. 3.0 Credits. Prerequisites: English Core.
WGST 420C - Language and Cultural Identity     This seminar is designed for students who are interested in socio-cultural perspectives on identity and language and their intersection in diverse cultural communities. Our goal will be to explore the theoretical and methodological issues and substantive findings surrounding current research focusing on identity and language. We will also examine related theoretical and empirical research on identity and language (multicultural education, literacy education, feminist pedagogy). Prerequisites: English Core.
WGST 422C - 19th Century American Novel     This course explores the diverse literary themes, social contexts, and intellectual backgrounds of the American novel from its beginnings in romantic tradition through the realist and naturalist movements of the late nineteenth century. Works by Hawthorne, Melville, Stowe, Wharton, James, Twain, Harper, and others offer a rich opportunity to investigate issues not only of literary value but of race, class and gender in nineteenth-century America. in addition to analyzing each works form and genre, we will ask the following questions: What accounts for the inclusion (or exclusion) of this work from the canon of American literature? In what ways does the work reflect, critique, or ignore its social context? 3.0 Credits. Prerequisites: English Core.
WGST 423C - 20th Century American Novel     Close reading of works by Edith Wharton, Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, William Faulkner, Eudora Welty, Ralph Ellison, EL Doctorow, and Toni Morrison. The course will also examine the novels against the backgrounds of social history, literary history, and race and gender in American culture. Students are expected to participate in class discussion, collaborate in group work, and write in-class exercises and formal critical essays. 3.0 Credits. Prerequisites: English Core.
WGST 424C - Studies in the Novel     Focuses on thematically or historically-related novels (general topic/theme of the class varies). Through close examination of texts, critical background and theory, this course explores the way gender issues, among other issues, are portrayed by various English and/or American writers. 3.0 Credits. Prerequisites: English Core.
WGST 427 - Women in Italian Literature     This course will analyze five novels by Italian women writers. The course will explore the forces that have historically disenfranchised and isolated women, and what is important and beautiful in women's writing.
WGST 435 - Feminist Ethics     Explores women's experiences of oppression and some of the ways in which this has marginalized their concerns and their perceptions of the moral dimension. Feminist contributions to rethinking the concept of moral agency, the traditionally sharp distinction between the public and private domains, the relevance of personal relationships to ethics, and the process of moral development and moral decision-making are considered. Spring. 3.0 Credits. Prerequisites: PHIL 301 or equivalent.
WGST 436 - Faces of Oppression    
WGST 455 - Women and the Bible     Examines women's depiction in Old Testament narratives, Ancient Israels patriarchal culture, and the Old Testaments role in supporting modern women's full humanity. Engages feminist hermeneutics and scholarship. 3.0 Credits. Prerequisites: RELI 300 level course.
WGST 457 - Women & the Spiritual Journey     An exploration of the impact of the women's movement on the understanding and the experience of spirituality; issues include God-imagery, scriptural approaches, and expression of prayer and ritual. 3.0 Credits. Prerequisites: RELI 300 level course.
WGST 460 - Studies of Women Writers     This course will examine various literary works written in dialogue with or in response to other literary works, but not all of the texts we examine will illustrate women writers responding to earlier male authors. 3.0 Credits. Prerequisites: RELI 100 level course.
WGST 480 - Women's Health     This course will address a broad range of health issues that are either unique to women or of special importance to women. Summer. 3.0 Credits.
WGST 490 - Directed Reading     Supervised reading in one of the previously mentioned areas of study, not to replace existing courses but to provide an opportunity for advanced study not available within the regular curriculum. Directed reading requires completion of a form, department permission, and cannot be registered for via Zagweb. 1.0 to 3.0 Credits. Prerequisites: WGST 401, WOMS 201.
WGST 491 - Directed Study-Women's Study     Specialized research into a topic of feminist scholarship. Directed study requires completion of a form, department permission, and cannot be registered for via Zagweb. 1.0 to 3.0 Credits. Prerequisites: WGST 401, WOMS 201.
WGST 499 - Symposium     The capstone course in the women's studies concentration provides an opportunity for a special kind of faculty and student conversation. Responsibility for organizing and structuring this course will rotate among women's studies faculty. Topics will vary. Regardless of the texts or topics, the goal will be to create a conversation in which students assume significant responsibilities. All students are expected to complete a major research project using the concepts and perspectives of feminist scholarship, and to present their work to the class and faculty evaluators. 3.0 Credits. Prerequisites: WGST 201, WOMS 401.

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200 Level Courses             300 Level Courses             400 Level Courses