WOMEN'S STUDIES COURSES
Women's Studies
WS101: Introduction to Women's Studies
Course Description: Interdisciplinary approach to the field of women's studies. Examines the status, roles, contributions, personal and public experiences of women in society, using sources from literature, psychology, history, sociology, biology, political science, philosophy, anthropology, and the arts. (HUMD[M]) PRE- or COREQUISITE: EN 101/101A or consent of women's studies program coordinator.
Taught by:
Genevieve Carminati, Rockville
Brianne W. Friel, Germantown
Jean Freedman, Rockville
Jennifer M. Harrison, Distance Learning
Loraine Hutchins, Takoma Park/Silver Spring
Tulin Levitas, Rockville
Martha E. Monks, Germantown
Effie Siegel, Rockville
Deborah Taylor, Takoma Park/Silver Spring
Rachael Wilson, Rockville
English
EN208: Women in Literature
Course Description: An introduction to literature by and about women from a multicultural perspective, focusing on women's diverse experiences and backgrounds. Representative texts are studied in their historical and sociopolitical contexts. Students read, analyze, and respond critically to texts in class discussions, examinations, and essays. (HUMD[M]) PREREQUISITE: A grade of C or better in EN 101 or EN 101A or consent of department. Three hours lecture/discussion each week.
Taught by:
Sharon A. Anthony, Germantown
Joanna M. Howard, Rockville
Ellen Olmstead, Rockville
Effie Siegel, Rockville
Deb Taylor, Takoma Park/SS
Rachael Wilson, Rockville
Honors
HP251: Women in Film
HP251EL: Women in the English Renaissance
Course Description: This tutorial emphasizes independent study in areas not listed among the credit courses in the humanities. Appropriate faculty tutor individual students in specific studies: e.g., philosophy, the problem of knowledge; literature, a comparative study of literary utopias; art, a project in oil painting; and language, Schiller and Goethe. Students may repeat this course provided that each time it is taken, a different topic is covered. PREREQUISITES: Completion of at least 12 college credits, a 3.2 grade point average or higher, and a grade of A or B in EN 101 or EN 101A.
Women in Film taught by: Genevieve Carminati, Rockville
Women in the English Renaissance taught by: Jean Freedman, Rockville
Health
HE204: Women's Health
Course Description: Course provides an introduction to women's health issues. Course topics include reproduction, contraception, body image, heart disease, and cancer. Also addressed are mental health, addiction, sexual harassment, violence, and issues pertaining to the health of minority women. [M] Assessment level: EN 101/101A. Three hours each week.
Taught by:
Maureen P. Edwards, Rockville
Loraine Hutchins, Takoma Park/Silver Spring
Nancy B. Kropetz, Germantown
Lois H. Neuman, Rockville
History
HS110: Women in the Western World
Course Description: Surveys the realities and myths of woman's role from the ancient world to modern American and European industrial society. It examines the position of women in the cultures and social structures at various stages in the development of Western history, explores the emergence and growth of the women's rights movement, and the modes of continuity and change when new opportunities emerge for women. (HUMD[M]) (R only) Assessment levels: EN 101/101A, RD 120. Three hours each week.
Taught by:
Jean Freedman, Rockville
Michelle Moran, Rockville
Shuping Wan, Rockville
History
HS112: Women in World History
Course Description: The course deals with the history of women in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America in the context of the history of these cultural regions. It also addresses some of the common issues facing women in the Third World. (HUMD[M]) (R only) Assessment levels: EN 101/101A, RD 120. Three hours each week.
Taught by: Shuping Wan, Rockville
Management
MG120: Managing Diversity in the Workplace
Course Description: This course focuses on developing management skills for diversity awareness in the workplace. Diversity includes age, race, gender, disabilities, and cultural background of all individuals. PREREQUISITE: MG 101. Three hours lecture/discussion each week.
Taught by: Nancy B. Higgins, Rockville
Philosophy
PL207: Women in Philosophy I
Course Description: Introduces the student to the contributions by women in philosophy from ancient times through the Middle Ages. The course provides a critical examination of their philosophic views and explores philosophical issues such as oppression, morality, the meaning of equality, and the role of the family. (HUMD) (MULT) Assessment levels: EN 101/101A, RD 120. Three hours each week.
Taught by: Tulin Levitas, Rockville
Philosophy
PL208: Women in Philosophy II
Course Description: Introduces the student to the contributions by women in philosophy in modern and contemporary times. The course provides a critical examination of their philosophic views and explores philosophical issues such as oppression, morality, the meaning of equality, and the role of the family. (HUMD) (MULT) Assessment levels: EN 101/101A, RD 120. Three hours each week.
Taught by: Tulin Levitas, Rockville
Physical Education
PE 173: Self Defense for Women
Course Description: An introduction to basic self-defense skills. The course includes an exploration of escape and avoidance strategies, offensive and defensive postures, defensive techniques, and simulated attacks. The course will also examine community services available for both violence prevention and victim abuse services. Finally, fitness principles, such as strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular fitness, will be addressed, particularly in regard to the impact of personal fitness on one's ability to perform the self-defense skills the class will present. Assessment levels: EL 104/EN 002, RD 120. Two hours each week.
Taught by:
Kathy Dayton, Rockville
Anthony G. Solano, Germantown
Lesley Wasilko, Rockville
Physical Education
PE178: Weight Training Design for Women
Course Description: Emphasizes the design and implementation of individualized weight training programs to meet the specific muscular fitness needs and interests of women. Students will experience and evaluate the potential benefit of weight training exercises to increase lean body tissue, reduce body fat, improve bone density, and develop firmer, more efficient muscles for enhanced appearance and performance. Conditioning techniques will focus on the utilization of weight resistance machines and free weights. Assessment levels: EL 104/EN 002, RD 099/103. Two hours each week
Taught by:
Nancy B. Kropetz, Germantown
Karen M. Thomas, Rockville
Lesley Wasilko, Rockville
Psychology
PY207: Psychology of Women
Course Description: An introduction to the issues and research in the psychology of women. Topics include biological and social factors, gender roles, sex differences and similarities, mental health, pregnancy, menstruation, menopause, work, women of color, love relationships, and sexuality. (BSSD[M]) PREREQUISITE: A grade of C or better in PY 102, or consent of department. Three hours each week.
Taught by:
Deborah Stearns, Rockville
Tracy Smith-Bryant, Takoma Park/SS
Sociology
SO108: Women and Men in American Society/Sociology of Gender
Course Description: Focuses upon the female and male experience in contemporary American society. Topics include effects of family, schooling, religion, law, and the workplace upon gender behavior. Female-male interaction, alternative lifestyles, and future scenarios will also be considered. Lectures, discussions, films, and guest speakers. (BSSD[M]) Assessment levels: EN 101/101A, RD 120. Three hours each
Taught by: Takiko Mori-Saunders, Rockville
Sociology
SO201: Introduction to Community Fieldwork
Course Description: Practical application of the understanding, theories, and methodology of the social sciences through the encouragement of student involvement and participation in community service agencies. An interdisciplinary approach aimed at coordinating social science knowledge with fieldwork experience. (R only) PREREQUISITES: SO 101 or SS 101 and second-year standing. One hour lecture, minimum of four weekly fieldwork participation and periodic conferences.
Sociology
SO208: Race and Ethnic Relations
Course Description: An analysis of the research and theories on contemporary intergroup relations in American society. An in-depth examination of such concepts as racism, sexism, ethnicity, pluralism, prejudice/bigotry, discrimination, stereotyping, prejudiced ideologies, socioeconomic stratification, and political power as they affect family patterns, self-concepts, and group interactions in our society. Discussion of how our present knowledge of intergroup conflicts may be brought to bear on social policy issues in the United States. (BSSD[M]) PREREQUISITE: AN 101, SO 101, SS 101, or consent of department. Three hours each week.
Taught by:
Takiko Mori-Saunders, Rockville
Nathan Starr, Rockville
Honors
Honors modules of the classes listed above
Honors classes that focus on women and gender
Women's Studies Courses page last revised September 14, 2009