Gender Studies

Wabash College is committed to preparing its students for leadership and service in a diverse and changing society. As part of that commitment, the minor in Gender Studies affords students the opportunity to gain a firm grounding in an interdisciplinary field that investigates the social, cultural, and biological factors that constitute femininity, masculinity, and sexual identity. Gender Studies explores the similarities and differences between the experiences, perspectives, and voices of women and men by analyzing variations in gender roles that occur across cultures and over time, examining relationships between biological differences and social power, and investigating the complex interaction of gender with race, class, and culture. Gender Studies also involves a critical investigation of strategies that aim to transform unjust or coercive social systems based on gender. Through coursework and an independent senior project, students undertake a systematic and critical analysis of gender issues across academic disciplines. The program is administered by the Gender Studies Minor Steering Committee.

Wabash College students who participate in the minor in Gender Studies will enhance their preparation for careers in a wide variety of areas. These include, but are not limited to, human services, law, government, teaching, the arts, clinical work, social work, public relations, advertising, and journalism. Some graduates with expertise in Gender Studies may also pursue further study of gender as graduate students in a wide range of academic fields.

Student Learning Goals

Become familiar with the vocabulary and theories of the field of Gender Studies

Appreciate Gender Studies as an interdisciplinary field that investigates the social, cultural, and biological factors that constitute femininity, masculinity, and sexual identity

Understand how living out the Wabash mission requires them to think critically about the continuously evolving concept of gender, act responsibly on the issue of gender inequality, lead effectively by educating others about the role of gender, and live humanely by promoting gender equality when they have the power to do so.

Requirements for the Minor

GEN-101Introduction to Gender Studies1
Electives3
Three credits from at least two different departments.
Human Sexual Behavior
Fatherhood
Special Topics
Special Topics: Behavioral Sciences
Topics in Modern Europe
Special Topics
Studies in Multicult/Nat'l Lit
Adv Topics:World&Comp History
Gender and Communication
Studies in Special Topics
Advanced Topics: American History
Seminar in English Lit
Independent Study
Independent Study
Capstone 11
Gender Studies Capstone
Total Credits5
1

This may be either an independent study project that explores the student’s chosen focus in greater depth or, if enough students are completing minors, a seminar class in which students will explore their topics comparatively. These will be assigned as GEN-490 Gender Studies Capstone Independent Study courses, and must be approved by the Committee Chair. Students should expect to complete the capstone by the fall semester of their senior year.

Each student’s program will be approved and supervised by the Gender Studies Minor Steering Committee, and a member of this committee may serve as secondary field examiner on the senior oral examination.

Occasional courses (Special Topics or other courses of particular relevance to Gender Studies) may also count toward this requirement with the approval of the Gender Studies Minor Steering Committee. Interested students should consult with a member of the Gender Studies Minor Steering Committee for advice regarding relevant courses and the frequency of offerings. Students should also consult the Academic Bulletin and semester-by-semester information from the Registrar’s office regarding when courses are offered.

Students are encouraged to take Gender Studies 101 in their freshmen or sophomore year, and to complete as much of the minor as possible before enrolling in the Capstone course in the fall of their senior year.

GEN-101 Introduction to Gender Studies

This course introduces students to the interdisciplinary field of gender studies by exploring questions about the meaning of gender in society. The course will familiarize students with the central issues, questions and debates in Gender Studies scholarship by analyzing themes of gendered performance and power in law, culture, education, work, health, social policy and the family. Key themes may include but are not limited to the relationship between sex and gender, the legal and social workings of the private / public distinction, the way that disciplinary practices code certain behaviors as masculine or feminine, the intersection of gender with race and ethnicity, the gendered structure of power, the tension between difference and equality, the production and circulation of gender expectations in the media, and the contested role of the law in achieving equality. By course end, students will understand central themes and debates in the field of gender studies, demonstrate a facility with basic terms and concepts of the field, apply methods of analyzing gender to society and to their own life experiences and communicate effectively about these issues in writing and speech
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1
Distribution: Literature/Fine Arts, History/Philosophy/Religion

GEN-102 Human Sexual Behavior

An overview of human sexual anatomy, development, function, and diversity. Emphasis is on the psychological aspects of sexuality including the study of attitudes towards sexuality, sexual preference, love and marriage, contraception, and commercial sex. Particular attention is paid to the development and enactment of sex roles, the construction of gender, and sex differences.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1

GEN-103 Seminars in Theater

These seminars focus on specific topics in theater and film. They are designed to introduce students to the liberal arts expressed by noteworthy pioneers and practitioners in theater and film.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1

GEN-104 Intro to Philosophy: Nature

This course will serve as an introduction to philosophy by examining the ways philosophers have used nature historically to justify the social order: by identifying essences that prescribe roles, legitimating social hierarchy by dividing the world between what is closer to nature and what overcomes or surpasses nature, distinguishing between good and natural actions and bad and unnatural ones, and distinguishing between culture and the material of culture. This course will examine the philosophical positions behind these claims and critiques of these positions. The course will take up the example of gender at various places across the semester to think about the implications of various conceptions of nature in the history of philosophy. Students are discouraged from taking more than one course numbered 109 or below.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1
Equated Courses: PHI-104

GEN-105 Fatherhood

An introduction to the psychological research into issues surrounding fatherhood. Topics to be covered include the role of fathers in children's development, the effect of being a father on adult development, men's views on fatherhood, the effect of fatherhood on romantic relationships, and balancing work and home life.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1
Distribution: Behavioral Science
Equated Courses: PSY-105

GEN-171 Special Topics

The content of this course varies from semester to semester, and it may be repeated for credit upon the instructor's approval. Refer to Self-Service and the Registrar's webpage for topics and descriptions of current offerings.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1

GEN-200 Special Topics

Seminar discussion of a topic or area in ethical theory, applied ethics, or social and political philosphy. Refer to the Course Descriptions document on the Registrar's webpage for topics and descriptions of current offerings.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1

GEN-209 Special Topics: Behavioral Sciences

Various topics at the intermediate level pertaining to economic, political, sociological or psychological approaches to gender, family, sexuality ore related issues. Refer to the Course Descriptions document on the Registrar's web page for topics and descriptions of current offerings.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1

GEN-210 Topics in American History

Since the content of this course varies from semester to semester, it may be repeated for credit upon the instructor's approval
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1

GEN-212 World Cinema

The course will survey non-Hollywood international movements in the history of cinema. It will explore issues of nation, history, culture, identity and their relation to questions of film production and consumption in contemporary film culture. Emphasis will be placed on major directors, films, and movements that contributed to the development of narrative cinema internationally. The course will investigate a variety of genres and individual films, paying close attention to their aesthetic, historical, technological and ideological significance. For example, African cinema introduces themes of colonialism, resistance and post-colonial culture, while the New Iranian Cinema articulates problems of politics and censorship within a new national film culture.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1

GEN-230 Topics in Modern Europe

Various topics on gender, sex and/or sexuality in modern Europe. Since the content of this course varies from semester to semester, it may be repeated upon the instructor's approval. Refer to the Course Descriptions document on the Registrar's webpage for topics and descriptions of current offerings.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1

GEN-231 Intermediate Topics in Political Theory

Intermediate course on a topic in political theory focusing on gender, sex and/or sexuality. Topics vary from semester to semester. Refer to the Course Descriptions document on the Registrar's web page for topics and descriptions of current offerings.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1

GEN-270 Special Topics: Lit/Fine Arts

The content of this course varies from semester to semester, and it may be repeated for credit upon the instructor's approval. Refer to the Course Descriptions document on the Registrar's webpage for topics and descriptions of current offerings.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1
Distribution: Literature/Fine Arts

GEN-277 Special Topics

The course provides opportunities for specialized, innovative material to be made available for students at the introductory level. Since the content of this course varies from semester to semester, it may be repeated for credit upon the instructor's approval. Refer to the Course Descriptions document on the Registrar's webpage for topics and descriptions of current offerings.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1

GEN-300 Studies in Multicult/Nat'l Lit

The content of this course varies from
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1

GEN-302 Adv Topics:World&Comp History

semester to semester, and it may be repeated for
Prerequisites: 0.5 credit from HIS
Credit: 1
Distribution: History/Philosophy/Religion

GEN-303 Gender and Communication

credit upon the instructor's approval. Refer to
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1
Equated Courses: RHE-360

GEN-304 Studies in Special Topics

the Course Descriptions document on the
Prerequisites: One Wabash literature course
Credit: 1

GEN-324 Advanced Topics: American History

Registrar's webpage for topics and descriptions of
Prerequisites: HIS-240, HIS-241, HIS-242, HIS-244, or HIS-245
Credit: 1
Distribution: History/Philosophy/Religion

GEN-400 Seminar in English Lit

current offerings.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1

GEN-487 Independent Study

Individual research projects. The manner of study will be determined by the student in consultation with the instructor. Students must receive written approval of their project proposal from a department Chair before registering for the course.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1

GEN-488 Independent Study

Individual research projects. The manner of study will be determined by the student in consultation with the instructor. Students must receive written approval of their project proposal from a department Chair before registering for the course.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1

GEN-490 Gender Studies Capstone

Seminar in Gender Studies
Prerequisites: GEN-101, and two additional credits from Gender Studies
Credit: 1

Gender Studies Minor Steering Committee

Jennifer Abbott, Rhetoric, chair
Crystal Benedicks, English
Cara Healey, Modern Languages
Elan Pavlinich, English
Michelle Rhoades, History
Agata Szczeszak-Brewer, English

The Gender Studies Minor Steering Committee is typically composed of faculty who teach regularly for the minor. In order to develop a stable sense of identity for this interdisciplinary program, the general expectation is that to teach for the minor, faculty will serve on the committee. We recognize that this creates an additional obligation for those faculty, but the expectations for steering committee members are light. Faculty serving on the committee, and thus teaching for the minor, are expected to

  • teach a course once every three years

  • attend a meeting once a semester to meet with students and to discuss any administrative concerns regarding the minor

  • publicize the minor with students

In the event that a faculty member who is unable to meet these obligations wishes to offer or cross-list a gender studies course, they are welcome to submit their courses to the steering committee for consideration. While we make exceptions for extenuating circumstances, we encourage faculty who plan to teach courses that they want cross-listed on a regular basis to join the committee. The minor values regularity and predictability of courses and commitment of faculty above a wide range of offerings.