Women's Studies (WMST)
See Course Description Symbols and Terms for an explanation of course description terminology and symbols, the course numbering system, and course credit units.
WMST 170 Introduction to Women's Studies 3 Units GE, USD
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
This course explores the impact of cultural beliefs and practices on diverse women's lives. Readings, films, and lectures analyze women's challenges, struggles, and accomplishments. Specific topics include race and class, media images of women, the women's movement, work, motherhood, and sexuality. 3 hours lecture. (009621)
General Education: Social Sciences (D)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Lower Division; US Diversity
WMST 211 Gender and Sexuality in Media 3 Units GE, USD
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
The purpose of this course is to help students examine portrayals of gender and sexuality in the range of media they consume. This course treats gender and sexuality as something we co-create through communication, rather than as something that we inherently are. Course topics are approached from historical, critical and cultural perspectives and encourage individual reflection and opportunities for digital activism. 3 hours discussion. (021252)
General Education: Social Sciences (D)
Cross listing(s): JOUR 211
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Lower Division; US Diversity
WMST 230 Women in Contemporary Societies 3 Units GE
Typically Offered: Fall only
Taking an in-depth look, this course explores women's lives in today's world across categories of class, race, ethnicity, sexuality, disability, and age. Students also discuss such topics as gender, body politics, violence against women, poverty, religion, and power as they relate to women. Special attention is given to social activism and emerging policies here in the U.S. and elsewhere. 3 hours lecture. (008968)
General Education: Social Sciences (D)
Cross listing(s): SOCI 230
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Lower Division
WMST 233 Women Internationally 3 Units GC, GE
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
This is an interdisciplinary course which concentrates on the universal experiences of women around the world. The impact of international and domestic politics and culture on women, the role of women in economic development, equity issues, and women's role in the social movement are the centrality of the course. 3 hours lecture. (021197)
General Education: Social Sciences (D)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Lower Division; Global Cultures
WMST 275 Women and Religion 3 Units GC, GE
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
Analysis of the images, roles, and experiences of women in world religions in historical and contemporary contexts. 3 hours discussion. (021806)
General Education: Humanities (C2)
Cross listing(s): RELS 275
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Lower Division; Global Cultures
WMST 275W Women and Religion (W) 3 Units GC, GE, W
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
Analysis of the images, roles, and experiences of women in world religions in historical and contemporary contexts. 3 hours discussion. (021201)
General Education: Humanities (C2)
Cross listing(s): RELS 275W
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Lower Division; Global Cultures; Writing Course
WMST 300W Feminist Theory (W) 3 Units W
Prerequisite: WMST 170.
Typically Offered: Spring only
An examination of key feminist theories and their applications in feminist research and practice. Readings include historical and contemporary materials. 0 hours lecture. (021549)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division; Writing Course
WMST 324W Women and Politics (W) 3 Units GE, W
Prerequisite: GE Oral Communication (A1); GE Written Communication (A2); GE Critical Thinking (A3); GE Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning (B4) requirements, or consent of the instructor.
Typically Offered: Fall only
Analysis of the roles of women in politics; volunteer, candidate, elected official. Considers politics of the women's movement and women's issues. 3 hours lecture. (007491)
General Education: Upper-Division Social Sciences (UDD); Gender and Sexuality Pathway
Cross listing(s): POLS 324W
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division; Writing Course
WMST 326 Gender and Sexuality in Modern European History 3 Units GC, GE
Prerequisite: GE Oral Communication (A1); GE Written Communication (A2); GE Critical Thinking (A3); GE Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning (B4) requirements, or consent of the instructor.
Typically Offered: Fall only
This course explores major themes and developments in the social and cultural history of European women from the 1700s to the present, including changing gender roles, attitudes toward sexuality, reproduction, and the family. In particular, the course examines women's struggle to define themselves and their roles in society and their impact on the social identities of men. 3 hours lecture. (004531)
General Education: Upper-Division Arts/Humanities (UDC); Gender and Sexuality Pathway
Cross listing(s): HIST 326
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division; Global Cultures
WMST 335 Gender and Sexuality in American History 3 Units GE, USD
Prerequisite: GE Oral Communication (A1); GE Written Communication (A2); GE Critical Thinking (A3); GE Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning (B4) requirements, or consent of the instructor.
Typically Offered: Spring only
Focus on the role gender plays in shaping and defining American history, from colonial times to the present. Analysis of relations between sexes, the family, and the struggle by women to achieve civil rights and social reform. The roles of race and class, and the rise of feminism. 3 hours lecture. (004541)
General Education: Upper-Division Arts/Humanities (UDC); Gender and Sexuality Pathway
Cross listing(s): HIST 335
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division; US Diversity
WMST 339 Cultural Images of Women 3 Units GE, USD
Prerequisite: GE Oral Communication (A1); GE Written Communication (A2); GE Critical Thinking (A3); GE Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning (B4) requirements, or consent of the instructor.
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
This cross-cultural study of women emphasizes changing constructions of gender and gender relations from the Paleolithic period to the contemporary. The course looks at depiction's of women in the United States as they are related to the historical imagery. 3 hours lecture. (000517)
General Education: Upper-Division Social Sciences (UDD); Gender and Sexuality Pathway; Innovation, Design, and the Arts Pathway
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division; US Diversity
WMST 368 Women's Health 3 Units GE
Prerequisite: GE Oral Communication (A1); GE Written Communication (A2); GE Critical Thinking (A3); GE Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning (B4) requirements, or consent of the instructor.
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
This course represents an overview of health care issues faced by women throughout the life cycle. The course begins an examination of scientific inquiry and the study of disease in women. Then, using sociological, political, and behavioral sciences, the roles, rights, and responsibilities of women in the health care system are assessed. The course concludes with a biological review of the female body and specific health care problems common to women. This course encompasses a woman-centered philosophy which encourages women's active participation in their health care decisions. 3 hours discussion. (004381)
General Education: Upper-Division Scientific Inq/Quant Reason (UDB); Gender and Sexuality Pathway; Health and Wellness Pathway
Cross listing(s): PHHA 368
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division
WMST 430 Current Issues and Theories in Women's Studies 3 Units
Typically Offered: Fall only odd years
This course provides in-depth and advanced study of key feminist and gender theorists' analyses of pivotal issues in the intersections of race, class, and gender constructions, with a different focal topic chosen each semester. 3 hours lecture. (009640)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 6 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division
WMST 443 Gender and Sexuality in Early America 3 Units
Typically Offered: Spring only even years
This course explores the political, economic, legal, social, and cultural dimensions of early American gender history, running from pre-contact Native American society through the period of the early American republic. It examines women's daily lives and experiences, illustrating shifting definitions of femininity and masculinity as crosscut by race, ethnicity, class, sexual orientation, region, and religion. Through discussion, readings, and research, this seminar illustrates themes that circumscribed women's opportunities in early America: sexuality, reproduction, and women's bodies; the political and legal status of women; women's labor, paid and unpaid; women in war; education and literacy; and consumption, among others. 3 hours lecture. (021864)
Cross listing(s): HIST 443
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division
WMST 458 Leading Social Change 3 Units
Typically Offered: Fall only
The course provides in-depth and advanced study of theories, analyses, and practical applications of leadership styles and structures, prioritizing those which consciously incorporate intersectional, inclusive, non-hierarchical and feminist approaches that center the marginalized. The course is meant to enhance practical leadership experiences as well as prepare you for the field of leadership in social justice movements, including the non-profit sector, government and policy advocacy. Additionally, a focus on learning to sustain ourselves and those we work with are a core area of study. 3 hours lecture. (021916)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division
WMST 480 Sex Work, Queer Desire, and Transfeminism 3 Units
Typically Offered: Fall only even years
An interdisciplinary and transnational study of sex work, sex tourism, pornography, queer desire, and BDSM, as well as an introduction to transgender history and transfeminist analysis. 3 hours lecture. (021914)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division