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UIS Catalog

 

UIS Graduate and Undergraduate Catalog
Academic Year 2005 - 2006

WOMEN'S STUDIES
Undergraduate Minor

Faculty Heather Dell, Margot Duley, Pat Langley, Deborah Kuhn McGregor, Annette Van Dyke
Associated Faculty  Rachell Anderson (Human Services), Terry Bodenhorn (History), Mary Bohlen (Communication), Leanne Brecklin (Criminal Justice), Barbara Burkhardt (English), Cecilia Cornell (History), Jan Droegkamp (Liberal Studies), Kathryn Eisenhart (Legal Studies), Nancy Ford (Legal Studies), Denise Green (Library Instructional Services), Barbara Hayler (Criminal Justice), Sandra Mills (Social Work), Karen Moranski (English), Rosina Neginsky (Liberal Studies), Meredith Newman (Public Administration) Lynn Pardie (Psychology), Carol Rankin (Human Services), Hazel Rozema (Communication), Nancy Scannell (Business Administration), Hammed Shahidian (Sociology/Anthropology)
Emerita Faculty  Mattilou Catchpole
Associated Emerita Faculty  Judy Everson, Jacqueline Jackson, Rosamond Robbert

Contact: (217) 206-6962
wms@uis.edu or www.uis.edu/womensstudies

Women's studies is an interdisciplinary program that combines the substance and methodologies of many disciplines such as history, anthropology, sociology, communications, psychology, literature, and law, in the study of women and gender. Sex is the biological difference between male and female; gender is the meaning of biological difference -- the stereotypes, assumptions, and expectations society attaches to difference. Since gender alone cannot explain all of experience, other factors such as race, class, culture, and sexuality must be analyzed to see how they combine with the sex/gender system to discriminate against women and gender minorities. Most women's studies courses are interdisciplinary, cross-listed with other programs. With increasingly global perspectives, the goal of women's studies is to introduce both sexes to basic approaches to the study of women and gender in a variety of fields so that they will be prepared for the challenges of leadership in the 21st century.

In the classroom, women's studies faculty are committed to creating participatory learning environments. They emphasize student-centered and cooperative learning, critical thinking, openness to ideas and discussion, and respect for others. Students are encouraged to make connections between thought and action, the academy and the community, theory and practice. The program will provide interested students with opportunities for internships, applied study terms, community-based projects, and research.

Degree Opportunities
Students can design their own course of study focusing on sex/gender for degrees through the liberal studies program (B.A.) or the individual option program (M.A.). In the past, students have designed degrees emphasizing gender in such areas as media, arts, social services, law, and mental health. Students have the opportunity to select and work closely with women's studies faculty who will assist in planning students' degrees and identifying learning resources. Additionally, men and women in all programs may take women's studies courses as electives or may pursue a minor as defined below.

Graduate students enrolled in 400-level women's studies courses will be expected to demonstrate graduate-level competencies (especially in communication, research, analysis, and integrative skills) and to complete extended and advanced projects and/or readings.

Women's Studies Minor
To earn a minor in women's studies, students must complete a minimum of 16 semester hours. The program may approve the transfer of no more than two lower-division courses, and at least 8 of the 16 hours must be upper-division course work taken at the University of Illinois at Springfield. Students may use life and work experience to gain credit through the credit for prior learning program. Students who minor in women's studies must select an adviser from among the women's studies faculty.

1) WMS 301 Women, Gender, and Society (fall/spring, first year)
2) WMS 411 Feminist Theories (spring, first year)
3) WMS 403 Minority Women: Issues and Perspectives (first or second year)
or a course approved by WMS adviser on minority or international women such as:
WMS 453 Women Across Cultures
WMS 463 Native American Women's Literature and Culture
WMS 466 Multicultural American Women's Literature
WMS 481 Women in Chinese and Japanese History or
PAC or LSC approved by WMS adviser
and
4) Elective in or related to the major (or PAC or LSC) as approved by WMS minor adviser (any semester)