Core Requirements for the Major and Minor

Spring, 2010

Women's Studies 101W: Introduction to Women's Studies. 3 hr.; 3 cr.

Giardina

This course explores the core concepts underlying the interdisciplinary field of Women's Studies,
introducing the ways in which the study of women and sex/gender as social categories transforms our
understanding of culture, history and society. Topics include the social construction of gender,
the gender division of  labor, production and reproduction, intersections of  gender, race, class and ethnicity,
and the varieties of sexual experience. This course is the required introduction to the Women's Studies
major and minor, and has no prerequisites. (SS) Fall, Spring
 
 

Women's Studies 201W:  Theories of Feminism

Warren

The main theories used in Women's Studies today will be analyzed from a historical perspective and with
respect to the combined effects of gender, race and class on the status of women in contemporary society.
The course will include the study of the problems inherent in establishing full social equality for women.
 
   

Women's Studies 310: VT: Research Seminar

Warren

This course allows students to undertake individual research with any member of the Women's Studies faculty,
in conjunction with the Women's Studies Director. Students typically meet weekly with a faculty member and
work towards an original research paper, project, or performance.
 
 

Women's Studies 320: Field Work

Giardina

In recognition of the activist roots and goals of Women's Studies, the major includes supervised field work
in an advocacy or service organization for women. Students work in political organizations, battered women's
shelters, welfare rights groups, women's health groups or similar organizations and prepare a formal document
based on their experiences and readings.

Other Women's Studies Courses
 

Women's Studies 210:  Selected Topics:  Gender and Speculative Fiction

Simerka

This course will explore the ways in which woman-authored “speculative” fictions challenge and rethink social norms about the what is feminine and masculine, sexual relations, the intersection of gender and race, and socio-political norms. The course will examine science fiction narratives of  utopian societies, encounters with “aliens”, and time travel and related speculative genres: horror, fantasy and magic realism. Authors will include Margaret Atwood, Mary Shelley, Monique Wittig,  Octavia Butler, and Isabel Allende. Students will analyze these texts from a cross—disciplinary perspective in the context  of cultural theory (Butler),  philosophy (Jaggar), science (Fox Keller), and political science (Pateman).  This course will present texts and films from the US, Canada, Europe, and Latin America.  In order to pursue a particular area of interest, each student will read one additional literary or theoretical text  and will write a comparative essay.

Some examples of previous topics : Feminist Fairy Tales, Women and Film, Women and the Media, Women and Science Fiction, Nationalism and Gender, Women, Activism and Politics, Women, Power and Social Change, and Jewish Women and Early Modern Europe.

Women's Studies 3903W: Tutorial

Warren

Permission of the director of Women's Studies and the director of Interdisciplinary and Special Studies. Students
undertake and complete an individual research project under the supervision of a member of the women's
studies faculty.

Cross-listed Courses For Spring, 2010

Please check prereqs

AFST 234W: Black Women Writers

This comparative study of women writers from Africa, the Caribbean, and the United States will examine the ways in which these writers re-envision history and challenge traditional conceptions of gender, race, and class.

ENGL 325: Gender & Sexualities

ENGL 326: American Women Writers of Color

FNES 147: Family Relations

Interpersonal relations in contemporary American marriage and family life.  Topics include dating, courtship, sex attitudes and behavior, family preplanning, communication, marital conflict, the unmarried, and elements of a successful marriage.
 

FNES 151:  The Family and Consumer Studies

A study of consumer issues as they affect the family, with special emphasis on cultural, social, psychological, and economic factors influencing consumer behavior; consumer rights and responsibilities; and public policy issues.

FNES 158: History of Costumes & Furnishings: French Revolution to the Present

FNES 249: Child and Family Policies

An overview of different child and family policies and their effects on families. Examination of the policy-making

process and the roles that family professionals can play in influencing government policies that support and

strengthen families.

FNES 252: Current Problems in Family and Consumer Studies

Investigation of consumer problems of individuals and families.

HIST 200: Women and Work ---code 0285

Field trips required, usually weekends and Fridays

HIST 271: U.S. Women 1880-present

A study of women in the late 19th-century era of rapid industrialization and large-scale immigration and in 20th

century reform movements. Analysis of women in the work force and in the home. Includes post-WWII feminist

movement and women's issues of the 1980's and 1990's.

PSCI 276: Feminist Political Theory

This course introduces students to feminist perspectives on politics and political thought, and to the current debates

and issues in contemporary feminism, through a study of political writing by and about women.

PSYCH 353: Psychology of Sex Roles

A survery and critical analysis of research and theory regarding similarities and differences in behavior between

males and females, both human and animal.

PSYCH 354: Sexual Behavior

A survey of research and theory about sexual behavior in humans and animals.

PSYCH 363: Sex Roles and Psychopathology

This course involves a critical examination of the relationship of gender to personality development and mental

disorders. Theories and research concerning gender differences in personality and psychopathology (e.g., depression,

eating disorders, and substance abuse) are presented.

SOC 214: The Family

Historical and contemporary factors that shape families, with special emphasis on the American family.  Topics include changes over time, cultures and social classes, and interpersonal issues of family life.

SOC 222: Social Welfare as a Social Institution

Social welfare as an institution, with emphasis on its structure and development, and sociological analysis of
problems of aging, divorce, and adoption, etc.

SOC  243:  Sex and Gender in Comparative Perspective

This course explores the social construction of gender in a comparative-historical perspective.  Emphasis is given to the ways in which particular social and historical conditions shape gender relations in the ecomony, the political system, the family, and the ideology and practice of sexuality.
 
 

SOC 244:  Sociology of Women

 This course explores the changing position of women as a social group, focusing on the contemporary United States. The sexual division of labor in the paid labor market and in the household, the relatiionship of women to family change and "family crisis", the changing role of women in politics, and the changing social construction of female sexuality will be studied.
 
 

SOC 245: Women and Work

An exploration of the changing situation of women in the U.S. workforce.  Included is a study of the causes and consequences of job segregation by sex, and sex differentials in pay.  The relationship between women's paid work and their role in the family and society will also be explored.
 
 

SOC 246: The Sociology of Human Sexuality

This course explores the social sources of patterns of human sexuality. Among the topics examined are why sexuality has been regulated in all known societies, the sociology of heterosexual and homosexual behavior and identity throughout the life cycle, gender-based sexual socialization, sexual politics (e.g., rape) and commercial sex (e.g., prostitution and pornography).
 
 

URBST 228: Domestic Violence and Criminal Justice

The operation of the criminal justice system in situations of domestic, and family violence. Theories dealing with

the sources of domestic violence will be reviewed. The focus will be on the operation of those parts of the criminal

justice system having principal responsibility for arresting, prosecuting, and adjudicating domestic and family

violence cases--the police, prosecution, and courts.
 
 

INTERNSHIPS

WOMEN'S STUDIES PROGRAM/QUEENS COLLEGE, CUNY
 
Women's Studies majors and minors and other interested students have the opportunity to carry out an
INTERNSHIP with an organization on- or off-campus that concerns itself with women's issues. Internships
receive 3 academic credits, through Women's Studies 320: Fieldwork in Women's Studies. Students are graded on the
evaluation of their learning experience as recorded through a final piece of writing.
 
 

Among the opportunities available to students:
 

Allen Women's Resource Center

Shelter for mothers and children.
 

Safe Horizons

A victim assistance organization operates a 24 hour hotline and counseling for victims of domestic
violence, sexual assault, and other crimes.
 
 

Feminist Press

Interns assist the editors with all phases of work, ranging from acquisition to manuscript preparation, to handling
proofs of books to researching cover art of books to soliciting "blurbs" and clear rights for books.  An intern will
be involved in a semester long book project.  Interns attend editorial and staff meetings and get a great introduction to
book publishing.  Interns in the marketing department are involved in matching books with readers, both in trade
and academic markets.
 
  

The Kitchen Table Women of Color Press

An independent feminist publisher, located in the Fort Greene neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, is the nation's
only publisher committed to publishing and distributing the writing of women of color of all ethnicities, nationalities,
social classes, and sexualities.  They have published such titles as This Bridge Called My Back: Writings by Radical
Women of Color, Home Girls: A Black Feminist Anthology, and Cuentos: Stories by Latinas which are classic
texts in women's studies.
 
 

Center for the Women of New York

The Queens Women's Center is a non-profit resource and referral organization committed to
women's issues and working in coalition with other groups and agencies who also focus on meeting
women's unserved needs. Through our Learning Center at Fort Totten and numerous clinics
including the Legal Clininc, Financial Clinic and Job Club, we offer training, education and support
services for women in transition.
 
 

Broadsides: The Women's Rights Program, WBAI Radio (99.5 fm)

Laura Flanders, of Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting (FAIR), and Blanche Wiesen Cook, of John Jay College
and the Graduate School and University Center, CUNY, produce a regular radio program on women's
rights, nationally and internationally. Students can be trained in radio production, research, and on-air techniques,
and will develop a student-designed and produced program.
 
 

The Queens College Women's Center

The Women's Center is a student-run organization located in the Student Union that runs regular programs
on women's issues and provides information and assistance to students. The Women's Center works closely
with the Women's Studies program.
 
 

The Speakers' Bureau

The Speakers' Bureau is designed to address issues of sexual assault and violence by training individuals to become
knowledgeable public speakers. A willingness to learn and the desire to be part of a project that uses education as a
critical component of preventing rape, sexual assault, and harassment is necessary.
 
 

The Women and Work Program

The Women and Work Program (WWP) is an innovative job training/life skills program for women who need to enter
or re-enter the work force but lack the necessary skills.. Students work directly with the women both in the classroom and with other activities in support of this program.
 
 

CUNY Law School

The CUNY Law School offers internships for students who can assist in research and in client contact.  It provides
a good opportunity for students who may be interested in law to gain some experience.
 
 

Women In Need, Inc.

Women in Need is a non-profit organization founded in 1983 serving homeless and underprivileged families,
primarily women and children.  We have a comprehensive program which includes transitional and permanent housing,
job training and placement, domestic violence counseling, alcohol and substance abuse treatment, and HIV/AIDS education.
 
 
 
 
 

You may email us if you have any questions