You are in the official 2001-2002 General Catalog
for California State University, Fresno.

Women's Studies Program

The College of Social Sciences

LINDA GARBER, Coordinator
Social Science Building, Room 226
(559) 278-2858

KAREN LOWE, Department Administrative Assistant
Social Science Building, Room 226A
(559) 278-2858

B.A. in Women's Studies

Minor in Women's Studies

Certificate in Alcohol/Drug Studies

Victim Services Certificate

Women's Studies

Classes in the Women's Studies Program encourage students to develop critical and analytical thinking skills and the ability to communicate new ideas to a general public. Women's studies students frequently say that women's studies classes enhanced their self-esteem and enabled them to more clearly define their special skills and talents. Therefore, all fields open to most social sciences and humanities graduates are open to Women's Studies Program graduates.

Career Opportunities

A recent survey of graduates from the Women's Studies Program indicates the following fields of employment: health and human services, education, research, law and government, and criminology. Double majors say one major defines the field in which they work; women's studies defines the focus within that field. Postgraduate education in the arts and sciences and in business, law, medicine, social welfare, psychology, and education has provided many women's studies students with satisfying and challenging career opportunities.

Program Faculty

The Women's Studies Program has its own full-time and part-time faculty who come from a variety of disciplines: anthropology, history, sociology, political science, English, and philosophy. In addition to this core faculty, cooperating faculty members teach women's studies courses in their home departments: anthropology, art, Chicano and Latin American studies, criminology, drama, education, English, ethnic studies, health sciences, history, philosophy, psychology, recreation, and sociology. Saturday School faculty are most often chosen from the community-at-large on the basis of their particular area of expertise.

Faculty

Linda Garber, Coordinator

Susan Arpad
Kathryn Forbes
Loretta Kensinger
Janet Slagter

Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements
Women's Studies Major

Major requirements (36 units)
Core: W S 103, 143, 153, 175 (12 units)
Approved electives (24 units)

General Education (51 units)

Electives and remaining degree requirements (37-46 units)*

Total requirements (124 units)

_________

*This total indicates that three courses (9 units) in General Education also may be applied to fulfill W S major requirements. These courses are W S 12 in G.E. Foundation A3, W S 10 in G.E. Breadth D3, and W S 18 in G.E. Breadth E1. Consult the program coordinator or faculty adviser for additional details.

Advising Notes

1. The 24 units of electives must be selected from a list of approved courses available in the Women's Studies Program office. At least one course must be selected from each of the following three clusters:
   Cluster 1, Gender and Diversity - W S 125, 134, 150T (with adviser approval), 151T; ASAM 138; CLS 162; W S/AFAM 137.
   Cluster 2, Women and the Arts and Humanities -W S 148, 150T (with adviser approval), 151T (with adviser approval), 165; W S/ENGL 168T; W S/ENGL 194T; W S/HIST 102T; LING 130; PHIL 110.
   Cluster 3, Women and the Social, Natural, and Applied Sciences -W S 105, 114, 134, 150T (with adviser approval), 151T (with adviser approval), 160; W S/CRIM 126; W S 127/H S 126; W S/H S 130; W S/SOC 132; MGT 189T; S WRK 271T.
2. No more than 3 units may be elected from the 1-unit Saturday courses: W S 108, 109, 112, 116, and 150T.
3. CR/NC grading is not permitted in the women's studies major, except for courses offered only under CR/NC grading.
4. General Education and elective units may be used toward a dual major or minor (see Dual Major or departmental minor). Consult the appropriate department chair, program coordinator, or faculty adviser for further information.
5. No General Education Multicultural/International course offered by the Women's Studies Program may be used to satisfy the General Education requirements for majors in the department.

 

Women's Studies Minor

An interdisciplinary minor in Women Studies is available to any Fresno State student. Each student's minor program is individually planned by the student in consultation with the women's studies program coordinator.

The minor in women's studies requires a minimum of 20 units, including W S 103, 143, 153, and 175. The other 8 units must be selected from a list of approved courses. Courses from this list also may satisfy General Education requirements as appropriate.

Note: The Women's Studies Minor also requires a 2.0 GPA and 6 upper-division units in residence.

Certificate in Alcohol/Drug Studies

The Women's Studies Program participates in a certificate of special study awarded to those students who successfully complete a minimum of 12 units of interdisciplinary academic coursework in the area of alcohol and drug abuse. (For complete details, see Health and Social Work Interdisciplinary Courses in this catalog.)

Victim Services Certificate

The Women's Studies Program participates in a certificate of special study awarded to those students who successfully complete a minimum of12 units of interdisciplinary academic coursework in the area of victim services. (For complete details, see Criminology Department or School of Education and Human Development.)

COURSES
Women's Studies (W S)

10. Introduction to Women's Studies (3)
Interdisciplinary course designed to introduce students to the major social, cultural, economic, and political forces which define gender in society. G.E. Breadth D3.

12. Critical Thinking: Gender Issues (3)
Theory and practice in basic skills of critical thinking using examples about the intersections of gender with race and class. Skills will be demonstrated and assessed through oral and written performance. G.E. Foundation A3.

18. Women and Aging (3)
(Same as GERON 18.) Interdisciplinary course designed to facilitate the understanding of older women and the physiological, psychological, and social aspects of the aging process. G.E. Breadth E1. (Formerly W S 118)

50T. Studies in Literature (4)
(See ENGL 50T section.) Women in Novels section.

55T. Topics in Women's Studies (1-4; max total 12)
Topics of current interest in the Women's Movement, covering a wide variety of issues. (See Schedule of Courses for specific topics.)

101. Women in History (3)
(See HIST 101.)

102T. Topics in Women's History
(3; max total 6; repeatable with different topics)
(Same as HIST 102T.) Prerequisite: W S 101 or permission of instructor. (See Schedule of Courses for specific topics.)

103. History of Feminism (3)
Survey of history of feminist thought and action from Middle Ages to present, with emphasis on nineteenth and twentieth circumstances and major actors and debates.

105. Education and Sex Role Stereotypes (3)
Designed to meet the needs of parents, teachers, counselors, administrators. How sex role stereotypes affect the educational system, pre-K through higher education.

108. Rape (1)
An inquiry into the phenomenon of rape, myths about rape and rapists, treatment of rape victims, discussion of physical and psychological preparation for possibility of attack. Lecture, film, paper, speakers. An all-day workshop held on two consecutive Saturdays. CR/NC grading only.

109. Incest (1)
An exploration of the victim, the victimizer, and the family dynamics of incest, as well as the psychological and sociological implications of the family secret. An all-day workshop held on two consecutive Saturdays. CR/NC grading only.

110. Representations of Women (3)
Interdisciplinary course focusing on representations of women; how representations vary by class, race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation; and how these representations affect social, political, and economic behaviors and institutions. G.E. Multicultural/International MI.

112. Assertiveness Training (1)
Women's special needs in becoming assertive; blocks preventing assertion and methods of getting around them. An all-day workshop held on two consecutive Saturdays. CR/NC grading only.

114. Women in Family Contexts (3)
Women in diverse family settings; the gendered division of labor; domestic violence; female-headed households; power relations in families; diversity of race, class, and sexual orientation; and conflicting family ideologies in society.

116. Domestic Violence (1)
An historical and cultural overview of the battered and battering spouse syndromes; the marriage contract as a license to abuse; the status of remedial legislation; and, the effect of parental battering on children. An all-day workshop held on two consecutive Saturdays. CR/NC grading only.

118. Women and Aging (3)
(Same as Gerontology 118.) An exploration into the myths and realities of the aging process, with a focus on women. Confronts the issues of aging in order to stimulate constructive change and positive alternatives for women.

120. Women of Color in the United States (3)
Examines the role and status of U.S. women of color within the larger social structure. Women in varying family structures and cultural settings will be examined, with an emphasis on how social systems shape the roles of women and affect larger U.S. institutions. G.E. Multicultural/International MI.

125. Introduction to Lesbian/Gay Studies (3)
Introduction to theory, questions, and topics in interdisciplinary lesbian and gay studies.

126. Women and Violence: Public Policy and the Law (3)
(Same as CRIM 126.) Historical and contemporary issues in public policy responses to violence against women. Gender bias in the legal system and policing violence against women. Theory and research on problems in government policy and enforcement of the law.

127. Female Sexuality (3)
(See H S 126.)

130. Women's Health (3)
(See H S 130.)

131. Sociology of Sex Roles (3)
(See SOC 131.)

132. Women and Work (3)
(See SOC 132.)

134. Health Issues, Women of Color (3)
Examines major health issues as they affect U.S. minority women: AIDS/HIV, substance abuse, cancer incidence and prevention, reproductive health, and mental health. Comparisons of white, Asian, Native American, African American, and Mexican American women are made. Addresses the role of race, class and gender as they affect health outcomes for women of color.

135. Women in Other Cultures (3)
Examines economic, social, political, and cultural roles as well as current status of women in one or more of the following: China, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Africa, Middle East, and Latin America. Prepares students to function in an international, multicultural world. G.E. Multicultural/International MI.

136T. Topics in International Women's Studies (3; max total 9)
Examines how global economic and cultural processes affect women. Investigates the interconnections between "first" and "third" worlds through topics such as international division of labor, work and gender ideologies, and women's organized resistance to changes in local economics. (Formerly W S 150T)

137. African American Women (3)
(See AF AM 137.)

143. Feminist Theory (3)
Review of major feminist theories of the twentieth century, analysis of assumptions underlying each, evaluation of strengths and weaknesses of each, and examination of relationship of various theories to various women's life experiences.

148. Women and Religion (3)
Seminar to explore many facets of women's religious experience, including history of women in institutional churches, theologies of liberation and oppression, women's religious experience, and feminist spirituality.

150T. Topics in Women's Studies (1-4; max total 12)
Topics of current interest in the women's movement, covering a wide variety of issues. (See Schedule of Courses for specific topics.)

151T. Topics in Lesbian/Gay Studies (1-3; max total 6)
Topics in lesbian and gay studies, drawing upon areas such as history, sociology, literature, psychology, or interdisciplinary fields.

152. The Chicano Family (3)
(See CLS 152.)

153. Feminist Research Methods (3)
Introduction to quantitative and qualitative research methods. Hands-on practice of designing and conducting a research project and writing a grant.

160. Feminist Issues in Counseling (3)
Prerequisite: W S 10 or permission of instructor. Evaluates counseling theories; individual and group counseling techniques; examines ethical issues and power structure in therapeutic settings; surveys community resources; and explores innovative and feminist perspectives concerning the effective treatment of women.

161T. Peer Education (1; max total 4; repeatable with different topics)
Prerequisite: permission of instructor. May be taken up to four times if no topic repeated. Topics: sexual assault, sexual harassment, alcohol and drug abuse, or eating disorders. Students learn curriculum content, develop teaching and group facilitation skills, and make presentations to campus peer groups. CR/NC grading only.

162. Community Service (1-3; max total 6; repeatable with different topics)
Prerequisite: 9 hours of W S courses and permission of instructor and sponsoring agency. Individually planned experience that relates student's classroom studies to practical experience in a women's community service agency. CR/NC grading only. (Minimum of 3 field hours per unit.)

163. Consciousness Raising:
Group Leader (1; max total 2)
Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Students learn skills in facilitating group discussion of women's issues through training and practicum. CR/NC grading only.

165. Women and Media (3)
Historical perspectives, contemporary issues, and future alternatives for women as producers and consumers of media, with particular emphasis on visual media.

168T. Women and Literature (4)
(See ENGL 168T.)

170. Women: Culture and Biology (3)
(See ANTH 170.)

172. Psychology of Women (3)
Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Examination of sex differences and sex roles; biological, cognitive, social, and motivation.

175. Seminar in Women's Studies (3)
Primarily for women's studies majors and minors. Prerequisite: 15 units in women's studies or permission of instructor. A synthesis of objective and subjective experience in women's studies. Culminating experience required.

176T. Genre Film: Form and Function (1-4; max total 8)
(See ENGL 176T.)

190. Independent Study (1-3; max total 6)
See Academic Placement -- Independent Study. Approved for SP grading.

194T. Seminar in Women and Literature
(4; max total 8; repeatable with different topics)
(See ENGL 194T.)

195. Diversity in the United States: Race and Gender Issues (3)
(See A I S 195, AF AM 195, ASAM 195, CLS 195.) This interdisciplinary course introduces students to theoretical perspectives concerning the historical development of class, race, and gender within the United States and the impact of these issues on contemporary U.S. society. Participation in a special class project is required.

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