Women's Studies is an interdisciplinary program that places women at the center of inquiry, encouraging students to examine and critique the experiences of women and the assumptions about women's lives. The program also highlights the contributions of women in all fields of study. A minor in Women's Studies is administered jointly by the Departments of English, History and Political Science.

REQUIREMENTS FOR WOMEN'S STUDIES MINOR:

Students will complete 18 hours in women's studies including Introduction to Women's Studies (WS100) and Senior Seminar in Women's Achievement and Theory (WS 495). At least six hours of the 12 hours of women's studies electives must be taken outside of the student's major.

COURSES OF INSTRUCTION

WS 100. (3) Introduction to Women's Studies. An interdisciplinary course that examines American women's roles from the viewpoints of the humanities, social sciences, and sciences. Various disciplinary approaches will be used to analyze how gender affects identity, social institutions, and interpersonal relationships and will also introduce students to women in other cultures. (Fall) 

WS 223. (3) Marriage and Family. A study of origin and evolution of the family as a social institution; the relationships of family structure to social organization; theories, functions, forms, and processes of the family in selected cultures. Also listed as SO 223 but creditable only in field for which registered. (Fall) 

WS 300. (3) Sociology of Gender and Sexual Behavior. Analysis of social, psychological, and physiological approaches to the development of gender identity and gender roles; effect of differential socialization methods from infancy through adulthood; impact on both men and women of contemporary changes in gender roles; analysis of sexual behavior and sexuality in contemporary society from a sociological perspective. Also listed as SO 300 but creditable only in field for which registered. (Fall, even-numbered years) 

WS 305. (3) African American Women Writers. An examination of the writings of African American women beginning with the slave narrative and ending with contemporary poetry, fiction, and drama. Also listed as EN 305 but creditable only in field for which registered. (Offered upon sufficient demand) 

WS 323. (3) Women's Health. Study of health promotion and disease prevention for women from adolescence through senescence. Students and faculty will determine topics from the following areas: reproductive anatomy and physiology, sexuality, family planning, fertility and infertility, infectious diseases, gynecological disorders, violence against women, and other issues which are determined by the class such as management of body weight, nutrition, stress, and women's roles in the workplace. Also listed as NU 323 but creditable only in field for which registered. (Offered upon sufficient demand) 

WS 327. (3) Health in Childbearing. Study of healthy childbearing. Topics will include preparation for conception, pregnancy, and the entire childbearing cycle. Students enrolled in the course may negotiate with the professor(s) to include students' specifically desired topics. Methods of teaching may include seminars, demonstrations and return demonstrations, group work, and lecture/discussion by professor(s) and guest lecturers. Also listed as NU 327 but creditable only in field for which registered. (Offered upon sufficient demand)

WS 330. (3) Family Violence. An examination of intrafamily physical, sexual, and emotional abuse: its causes, its consequences, its extent and the manner in which social control agencies have responded to it. Also listed as CJ 300 but creditable only in the field for which registered. (Spring)

WS 333. (3) Images of Women in Literature. An examination of images of women in literature drawn primarily from the works of women writers in English and American literature of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries; an introduction to feminist criticism. Also listed as EN 333 but creditable only in field for which registered. (Spring, even-numbered years) 

WS 345. (3) The Justice System: Race, Class, Gender. This course will explore issues related to race, class, gender and justice. Law in the United States has been used to define people's racial and ethnic identity, to hold people in bondage and to free them, to deny and protect basic rights, to segregate and to integrate. In addition, through the definition and prosecution of criminal offenses, law has been an agent of both oppression and protection. 

WS 354. (3) Global Women's Issues. Students will consider from a global perspective the effects of customary practices and socio-economic factors that affect women. These issues may include educational issues such as illiteracy, the education of girl children, and educational opportunities; customary practices such as arranged marriages, dowry, and circumcision; structural violence, both governmental and nongovernmental; socio-economic issues such as sex traffic in women and children; and economic issues such as economic empowerment. The course will address the issues of women's rights as human rights with the goal that students will gain a cross-cultural perspective. (Spring, even-numbered years) 

WS 366. (3) History of Women in the United States. Survey of women's experiences in the United States from the colonial period to the present that examines social, political, economic, and legal developments that shaped women's roles and status in American society. Also listed as HI 366 but creditable only in field for which registered. (Spring, even-numbered years) 

WS 370. (3) Women in American Politics. An overview of the role of women in American Politics and the role of government in defining the status of women in society. Examines the political behavior of American women and public policies which specifically impact women. Also listed as HI 370 and PS 370 but creditable only in field for which registered. (Spring, odd-numbered years)

WS 386. (3) Gender Communication. Examines multiple relationships between communication and gender. Emphasizes how communication creates gender and power roles and how communicative patterns reflect, sustain, and alter social conceptions of gender. Also listed as COM 386 but creditable only in field for which registered. (Fall, odd-numbered years) 

WS 410 (3) Family Diversity and Social Change. This course will familiarize students with varying types of families they may encounter in research, policy, and human service careers and help students become attuned to issues faced by families in a continually changing society. Also listed as SO 410 but creditable only in field for which registered. Prerequisite: SO 221 or SO/WS 223.

WS 443 (3) Social Psychology of Intimate Relationships. Social psychological analysis of the development, maintenance, and dissolution of intimate relationships such as friendship, courtship and marriage. Theoretical and empirical examination of structural, cultural and personal factors affecting attraction, bonding, negotiations of power and gender roles, and conflict, as well as social implications and ramifications are discussed. 

WS 486W. (3) Women in Art History. This course surveys a selective number of prominent women artists throughout history and offers an understanding of women as art makers and issues relevant to their art. Students will develop critical abilities and gain insight relative to their own work experience and specific theoretical concerns. Also listed as AR 486W but creditable only in field for which registered. (Offered on sufficient demand) 

WS 490. (3) Women's Studies Internship/Practicum. Open to Women's Studies minors upon approval of the Women's Studies coordinators. Offers practical experiences under direction and supervision. (Offered on sufficient demand)

WS 495. (3) Senior Seminar in Women's Achievement and Theory. To be taken at or near the completion of the Women's Studies minor. By reading and discussing texts and by volunteering at various civic organizations, students will develop a deeper understanding of the variety of challenges facing women. Prerequisite: WS 100 (Spring)

WS 496. (3) Special Topics in Women's Studies. Concentrated study in specific areas of Women's Studies. Topic varies by semester. Prerequisite: WS 100. (Offered upon sufficient demand)

WS 499. (3) Independent Study. Open to Women's Studies minors upon approval of the Women's Studies coordinators. Provides for independent study or research under the coordinators' determination, supervision, and evaluation. Prerequisite: WS 100 (Fall, Spring, Summer) 

Hours

• M-F 8:00-4:00 and during
• scheduled evening events.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Center for Women’s Studies at the University of North Alabama is to educate, support, and reach out to women on our campus in the context of a global community.

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