Course Catalog Women's and Gender Studies (WOST)


WOST  205 - Women in Literature
Surveys both women as writers and women as characters in literature; emphasizes the wisdom, experiences and insights of women writers and women in literature; concerned with literature from two or more cultures and comparison of the social and human values reflected in the literature of those cultures.
No Prerequisites
Typically offered in Fall
General Education: HS3 - Individual and Social Values
General Education: Humanities 3
Writing Emphasis: Writing Emphasis
3 units min / 3 units max, Lecture


WOST  206 - Fertility, Reproduction, and Family Planning
Factors that influence reproduction and fertility, i.e., physiological, psychological, social, cultural, and ethical; the methods available for limiting or increasing reproduction; the nature of family planning programs.
P: Hum Biol 102 or Biology 202.
Typically offered in Fall and Spring
General Education: Human Biology 2
General Education: Natural Sciences 2
3 units min / 3 units max, Lecture


WOST  241 - Introduction to Women's Studies
Traditional restrictions placed on women and men in family roles, sexual behavior, economics, politics and religion; discussion of possible new roles and values; whether traditional values and roles are still valid; how individuals can adapt to change.
No Prerequisites
Typically offered in Fall and Spring
General Education: Social Sciences 1
Writing Emphasis: Writing Emphasis
3 units min / 3 units max, Lecture


WOST  272 - Women in the Arts
Studies artistic works by women in order to re-value their place in history and development of the arts. May repeat for credit when a different topic is studied.
No Prerequisites
Typically offered in Spring Even
Course is repeatable to 6 credits.
General Education: Fine Arts
3 units min / 3 units max, Lecture


WOST  299 - Travel Course
Travel courses are conducted to various parts of the world and are led by one or more faculty members. May be repeated to different locations.
P: cons of instr & prior trip arr & financial deposit.
Course is repeatable for credit.
General Education: World Culture
Study Abroad: Travel Course
1 units min / 4 units max, Field Experience


WOST  324 - The Biology of Women
This course will examine the physiology of the adult female body and will address health issues that are unique to or different in women. Emphasis will be placed on the effects of female sex hormones on multiple processes (reproductive, nervous, endocrine, and cardiovascular) in the body.
P: Hum Biol 102 with at least a C grade or Biology 202 with at least a C grade.
Typically offered in Spring
3 units min / 3 units max, Lecture


WOST  336 - Gender Development Across the Lifespan
An interdisciplinary analysis of changes in biological, social, and identity development for males and females throughout the life span.
P: Hum Dev 210 or Soc C D 241. REC: Comm Sci 301.
Typically offered in Fall and Spring
General Education: Social Sciences 2
Writing Emphasis: Writing Emphasis
3 units min / 3 units max, Lecture


WOST  338 - World Literatures
A study of selected works from world literatures. A variable content course.
P: English 290 or concurrent enrollment, Jr st.
Typically offered in Fall
Course is repeatable to 6 credits.
General Education: HS2 - Literature, Film, and Culture
Writing Emphasis: Writing Emphasis
3 units min / 3 units max, Lecture


WOST  340 - Women, Work and Family
Explores contemporary women's work and the historical and structural factors that shape women's current working lives; analyzes such issues as women's double shift, global economy, differential wage scales, child care, and job segregation; strategies for change.
No Prerequisites
Typically offered in Spring Odd
General Education: Social Sciences 2
Writing Emphasis: Writing Emphasis
3 units min / 3 units max, Lecture


WOST  345 - Women, Race and Culture
The changing position of women in selected preindustrial, developing and industrial societies and the cultural, social, political and economic institutions which shape women's lives worldwide.
P: Soc C D 241 or Anthro 100 or Sociol 202 or History 100.
Typically offered in Spring
General Education: Social Sciences 2
General Education: World Culture
Writing Emphasis: Writing Emphasis
3 units min / 3 units max, Lecture


WOST  348 - Gender and the Law
The changing legal status of women in relationship to other social forces; major historical landmarks in the development of women's legal rights and current status of such areas as property rights, family law and employment opportunity; legal tools in the struggle for equality.
P: so st.
Typically offered in Fall Even
Writing Emphasis: Writing Emphasis
3 units min / 3 units max, Lecture


WOST  350 - Topics in Women's Studies
Explores a single theme in Women's Studies scholarship from an interdisciplinary perspective. Variable content.
No Prerequisites
Course is repeatable to 6 credits.
3 units min / 3 units max, Lecture


WOST  360 - Women and Gender in First Nations Communities
This course examines the traditional and contemporary status of First Nations women. The course focuses on the fluid definitions and constructions of gender identity before and after Euro-American contact, exploring the intersections of racism, sexism, homophobia, colonialism, globalization. Decolonization and resistance are primary themes of the course.
REC: FNS 225, FNS 226 or WOST 241
General Education: Ethnic Studies
3 units min / 3 units max, Lecture


WOST  375 - Women, Politics and Social Change
Differing strategies women use to affect politics and social change, the assumptions and consequences of these strategies; women's efforts to resist social change; contemporary and historical examinations of women's involvement in political issues and political structures.
P: cse in women's studies.
Typically offered in Spring Odd
Writing Emphasis: Writing Emphasis
3 units min / 3 units max, Lecture


WOST  380 - U.S. Women's History
In this course our goal is a richer understanding of women's experiences in the past, ranging from pregnancy and single motherhood to women's struggles to win the right to vote. Through lectures, discussions and films we will explore a variety of women's lives, consider the ways studying women changes our historical perspectives and focus on how interpretations of the past influence our understanding of current social issues.
P: none; REC: jr st and one cse in U.S. history, U.S. lit or Women's Studies.
Typically offered in Fall
General Education: HS3 - Individual and Social Values
3 units min / 3 units max, Lecture


WOST  381 - Women in Ancient and Medieval History
A study of women and work from the earliest civilizations through Egyptian, Greco-Roman times and the Middle Ages--roughly from 1000 BC through AD 1300.
P: Hum Stud 101 or 201.
Typically offered in Spring Odd
Writing Emphasis: Writing Emphasis
3 units min / 3 units max, Lecture


WOST  382 - Women in Modern European History
This course examines women's roles in modern European history and explores how concepts of gender have affected our understanding of Europe's past.
P: none. Rec: Soc C D 241, Wost 241 or H-2 course.
Typically offered in Spring Even
Writing Emphasis: Writing Emphasis
3 units min / 3 units max, Lecture


WOST  401 - Psychology of Women
The psychology of women examines traditional and feminist approaches to women in psychological theory and research as frameworks for understanding women's development and experience in family, academic, work, and relationship roles. The interacting influences of biology, socialization, and cultural context are considered.
P: Psych 102.
Typically offered in Fall
3 units min / 3 units max, Lecture


WOST  437 - Feminist Theory
This course is an introduction to feminist theories from a variety of disciplinary perspectives; we will examine the development of feminist theories, their practice and contrasting viewpoints.
P: Soc C D 241.
Typically offered in Spring Even
3 units min / 3 units max, Lecture


WOST  477 - Women as Creative Agents
The multiple ways women have exercised their creative capacities and the external and internal factors that support creative work. Examines some of the assumptions about creativity in women by comparing them with the evidence from biographies of creative women in several fields.
P: Soc C D 241 or English 206 or AVD 272 or Arts Mgt 364 or jr st.
Typically offered in Spring Odd
3 units min / 3 units max, Lecture


WOST  497 - Internship
Supervised practical experience in an organization or activity appropriate to a student's career and educational interests. Internships are supervised by faculty members and require periodic student/faculty meetings.
P: jr st.
Typically offered in Fall and Spring
Course is repeatable for credit.
1 units min / 12 units max, Field Experience


WOST  498 - Independent Study
Independent study is offered on an individual basis at the student's request and consists of a program of learning activities planned in consultation with a faculty member. A student wishing to study or conduct research in an area not represented in available scheduled courses should develop a preliminary proposal and seek the sponsorship of a faculty member. The student's advisor can direct him or her to instructors with appropriate interests. A written report or equivalent is required for evaluation, and a short title describing the program must be sent early in the semester to the registrar for entry on the student's transcript.
P: fr or so st with cum gpa > or = 2.50; or jr or sr st with cum gpa > or = 2.00.
Typically offered in Fall and Spring
Course is repeatable for credit.
1 units min / 4 units max, Independent Study


WOST  499 - Travel Course
Travel courses are conducted to various parts of the world and are led by one or more faculty members. May be repeated to different locations.
P: cons of instr & prior trip arr & financial deposit.
Course is repeatable for credit.
General Education: World Culture
Study Abroad: Travel Course
1 units min / 6 units max, Field Experience