Women's Studies

About Women's Studies

The Women’s Studies Program at the University of Akron engages students in critical inquiry on women’s oppression in the U.S and globally; the socially constructed nature of gender and sexuality; the intersection of women’s oppression with race, ethnicity, class, sexuality, and other forms of inequality; and importantly, histories and modes of feminist resistance. Through a wide variety of classes, Women's Studies encourages students to debate assumptions, explore divergent viewpoints, and investigate the social, economic, and cultural practices that have shaped the lives of women around the world.

With an emphasis on critical thinking, the program integrates intellectual scholarship and research to explore how women have been represented in literature, history, society, sociology, and the media. The course, Introduction to Women’s Studies, leads students in studies on systemic privilege/oppression, media and gender, sexuality, family studies, reproductive justice, work, gender violence, social policy, and feminist resistance. This course provides a foundation upon which to build a deeper knowledge of issues surrounding feminism, gender, and sexuality. Other courses in the Women’s Studies Program, as well as cross listed classes in Anthropology, English, Family and Consumer Sciences, History, Philosophy, Psychology, and Sociology, provide an eye opening and often life-altering college curriculum that prepares students to challenge power disparities found in society's most powerful institutions--family, church, academia, media, business, and government--and to work for a world founded on equality and dignity for all.

Contact Mary Triece, Director of The Women's Studies Program
mtriece@uakron.edu
330-972-6222
https://uakron.edu/ws/

Women's Studies (WMST)

WMST 100  Social & Cultural Diversity in the United States  (3 Units)  
See department for course description. (Formerly 3001:100)
WMST 110  Multicultural Sensitivity Training  (1 Unit)  
See department for course description. (Formerly 3001:110)
WMST 200  Introduction to Women's Studies  (3 Units)  
Introduction to the interdisciplinary program in Women's Studies. Explores current scholarship in women's issues and experiences from perspectives of psychology, history, sociology, anthropology, and literary criticism. Feminist orientation and methodology. (Formerly 3001:200)
Gen Ed: Domestic Diversity  
WMST 450  Gender and Popular Culture  (3 Units)  
This course is designed to critically and analytically examine different forms of popular culture from a gendered perspective. While many view media products as simple entertainment they can provide an invaluable and unique tool in examining how societies construct gender roles and the biases that exist just below the surface of most diversionary products of our society. Mass produced material and popular culture shape our society’s understanding of masculinity and femininity in modern America. By engaging with a variety of pop culture texts we can shed new light on society’s gender roles and the assumptions that we make regarding how those roles are created, perpetuated, and can be changed. This class will be an interdisciplinary examination of gender themes in American popular culture and will teach students to examine the messages encoded in film, television, literature, comic books, video games, and sports.
Gen Ed: Complex Issues Facing Society  
WMST 460  Global Feminisms  (3 Units)  
Feminism is the basic belief that all people, regardless of gender, are equal. Feminist activism is the fight to have communities, nation-states, and cultures enact that belief in meaningful ways. This course will examine feminisms and feminist activism from around the world. We will look at feminism from a transnational perspective and view global politics through a feminist lens. 
Gen Ed: Global Diversity  
WMST 480  Feminist Theory  (3 Units)  
Prerequisite: WMST 200. A summary of feminist theory to familiarize students with the main currents in contemporary feminist theory and the origins and evolution of that thought. (Formerly 3001:480)
WMST 485  Special Topics in Women's Studies  (1-3 Units)  
Special topics and current issues in Women's Studies. Covers content not currently addressed in other courses. Fosters a critical approach to knowledge about women. (May not be repeated) (Formerly 3001:485)
WMST 489  Internship in Women's Studies  (1-4 Units)  
Prerequisites: WMST 200 and permission of Director of Women's Studies. This class provides supervised experience and on-the-job training in an organization, agency, corporation or group dealing with women's issues. (Formerly 3001:489)
WMST 490  Women's Studies Lecture Series  (1-3 Units)  
Various topics focused on women. Themes and course materials vary each semester. Lecture and discussion. (Formerly 3001:490)
WMST 493  Individual Studies on Women  (1-3 Units)  
Prerequisites: WMST 200 and permission of Director of Women's Studies. Directed study of selected topics related to women. Projects are chosen by student in consultation with instructor. (Formerly 3001:493)
WMST 499  Seminar in Women's Studies  (1 Unit)  
See department for course description. (Formerly 3001:499)