Academic Bulletin Gender Studies - 2009-10

Wabash College is committed to preparing its students for leadership and service in a diverse and changing society. As part of that commitment, the Area of Concentration 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 Issues Committee.

 

Wabash College students who participate in the Area of Concentration 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.

 

The requirements of the program include the following:

 

• Four and one-half courses designated as gender studies courses from at least two different departments outside the major and minor. Two of these courses must have gender studies as their major focus, while the other two and one-half courses must contain substantial relevant content. Students may not take courses in their major or minor and count them toward the Area of Concentration in Gender Studies, even if these courses are not being "double-counted." The Gender Issues Committee will approve this set of courses as part of the application process.

 

• A half-credit capstone course in spring of the senior year. This may be either an independent study project that explores the student’s chosen focus in greater depth or, if enough students are completing concentrations, a seminar class in which students will explore their topics comparatively. These will be assigned as Humanities 487 Independent Study courses under the direction of the Committee Chair.

 

• Each student’s program will be approved and supervised by the Gender Issues Committee, and a member of this committee, or other faculty with relevant expertise, may serve as secondary field examiner on the senior oral examination.

 

Students are encouraged to declare the area of concentration in Gender Studies by the end of their sophomore year (although they are free to declare any time before fall semester of their senior year). To declare, the student should submit a written proposal to the Gender Issues Committee, presenting a rationale for the courses selected for the area of concentration. Area of Concentration forms are available in the Registrar’s Office.

 

The following regularly offered courses focus primarily on gender and may be included in an area of concentration in Gender Studies, so long as they do not conflict with the student’s major or minor:

 

The courses appropriate for satisfying this requirement will vary but may include such courses as the following:

 

English 106                        Fictions of Women

English 360                        Studies in Multicultural/National Literature: Feminism and African                                                               Literature

English 497                        Seminar in English Literature: Gender Criticism

History 330                        Advanced Topics, Modern Europe (Frequent Topics with a Primary                                                            Focus on Gender)

Philosophy 219                        Ethics & Social Philosophy

Psychology 102                        Human Sexual Behavior

Psychology 212                        Sex, Gender, and Masculinity

Religion 273                        Topics in Theology: Religion and Masculinity

Rhetoric 360                        Gender and Communication

Theater 103                        Seminars in Theater (Frequent Topics with Primary Focus on Gender)

 

Regularly offered courses with substantial relevant content include, but are not limited to the following:

 

Classics 101                        Classical Mythology

English 219                        Introduction to American Literature before 1900

English 220                        Introduction to American Literature after 1900

History 271                        African History to 1885

History 272                        African History from 1885

History 497                        Philosophy and Craft of History

Philosophy 109                        Perspectives on Philosophy: Friendship

Psychology 211                        Cross-Cultural Psychology

Psychology 220                        Child Development

Psychology 221                        Adult Development

Religion 270                        Theological Ethics

Religion 370                        Contemporary Theology

Rhetoric 240                        Communication Theory

Theater 213                        American Theater and Drama

Theater 214                         Modern European Theater and Drama

 

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 Issues Committee. Interested students should consult with a member of the Gender Issues 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.