Gender Studies (GS)

Gender Studies (GS)

Course usage information

GS-220   History of AdvertisingCredits: 3   

Term Offered: All Terms

Course Type(s): GS, HSUS

Designed to develop a critical understanding of the historical evolution of advertising in the United States, with critical attention to race, class, gender, and sexuality. We will explore the economic, political, and cultural factors that have contributed to the development of advertising, and which have been affected by advertising. Some of the topics to be discussed include: the rise of national advertising; the relation of advertising to consumption; advertising to children; political advertising; the relationship between advertisers and the medium in which they appear (magazines, television, radio, etc.); and broadcast and Internet advertising. Also listed as AN-220 and HS-220.

Course usage information

GS-225   Introduction to Gender StudiesCredits: 3   

Prerequisite(s): Completion of three credits

Term Offered: All Terms

Course Type(s): CD, GS, RE, SI, SJS, SS.SV

Examines gender inequalities and the pervasiveness of gender as a way of structuring/organizing social life. Emphasizes how gender as a social structure intersects with other social structures such as race, class, and sexuality to legitimize power and privilege and/or constrain diverse groups of people. Critiques conventional theories of gender and sociology and covers a broad spectrum of topics using feminist and sociological perspectives. Also pays attention to the connection between social structure and human agency - how people's experiences are both shaped by social forces and shaped through human action. First year students are not allowed to take this course prior to the beginning of the fall semester. Also listed as SO-225.

Course usage information

GS-252   Race and EthnicityCredits: 3   

Term Offered: All Terms

Course Type(s): ADS, CD, GS, RE, SI, SJS

Introduces students to the sociological study of race and ethnicity in the United States as interrelated social systems of power that grant a range of material and non-material advantages to different groups of people based on socially constructed definitions of race and ethnicity, particularly as race and ethnicity intersect with a variety of other social structures such as gender and class. Focuses on the historical legacy and current practices of institutionalized racism that have and continue to shape social relations in the U.S. Also listed as SO-252.

Course usage information

GS-305   Women in US HistoryCredits: 3   

Term Offered: Spring Term

Course Type(s): GS

Surveys women's historical experience in the U.S. The emphasis of the course will be on how women of different socio-economic backgrounds, races, and ethnic groups have shaped and been affected by U.S. History. Also listed as HS-305.

Course usage information

GS-307   History of Sexuality in AmericaCredits: 3   

Prerequisite(s): EN-101 and EN-102 or permission of the instructor

Term Offered: All Terms

Course Type(s): CD, GS, HSUS, WT

Explores the social and cultural history of sexuality in the United States. How race, class, and gender have influenced ideas about sexuality, morality, and power. Major topics include: reproduction, gay and lesbian sexualities, sexually transmitted diseases, and sexual representation and censorship. Also listed as HS-307.

Course usage information

GS-369   Feminist TheoriesCredits: 3   

Prerequisite(s): SO-225 or GS-225

Course Type(s): GS

Advanced exploration of the major currents of feminist social theory as they have emerged from feminist movement histories in the U.S. and globally. Students will critically examine competing feminist explanations for the history and persistence of gender inequality, as well as deconstruct sex, gender, sexuality from a range of feminist perspectives. The course will also invite students to consider what it means to be "feminist" and how these meanings are connected to the relations and tensions between gender, sexuality, race/ethnicity, class, ability, and nation. In particular, students will compare and contrast key concepts and theoretical assumptions of major feminist theories with a commitment to intersectional analyses. Students will also apply feminist theory to better understand social relationships, organizations, and politics, and self-reflect on how course content applies to their lives as people situation within multiple social contexts and identities. Also listed as SO-369.

Course usage information

GS-370   Gender Studies SeminarCredits: 3   

Prerequisite(s): Three credits in Gender Studies elective courses

Course Type(s): GS

An examination of several disciplines from the perspective of sex and gender. Each discipline is reviewed, and sources of bias are identified. Special attention is given to new data and emergent paradigms generated by recent research in Gender Studies and their implications for traditional assumptions.

Course usage information

GS-377   A Comparative Study of Women in the WorldCredits: 3   

Prerequisite(s): GS-225 or SO-225; and EN-101 and EN-102 or permission of the instructor

Term Offered: Spring Term

Course Type(s): GS, GU, RE, WT

A comparative study of the political, cultural, social, and economic status of women in the United States, Western Europe, Russia, Japan, Israel, and Third World nations. Also listed as PS-377.

Course usage information

GS-399   Independent Study in Gender StudiesCredits: 3   

Prerequisite(s): GS-225, 6 credits from Gender Studies courses, and prior permission of the directing professor and department chair

Term Offered: Spring Term

Course Type(s): None

Guided research of a selected topic under the direction of a member of the Gender Studies faculty.

Course usage information

GS-499   Independent Study in Gender StudiesCredits: 3   

Prerequisite(s): GS-225, 6 credits from Gender Studies courses, and prior permission of the directing professor and department chair

Term Offered: Spring Term

Course Type(s): None

Guided research of a selected topic under the direction of a member of the Gender Studies faculty.