Women & Gender Studies and Queer Studies Course Descriptions

NOTE: We are in the process of reviewing our course patterns and prerequisites. If you are unable to register for a course because of a prerequisite requirement, please contact Prof Ketchum at kketchum@fullerton.edu

  • WGST 100 Introduction to Gender Studies and the Humanities
    Gender representation in the humanities, using primary texts from around the world that shape global perspectives on the human condition. Rationality, the moral dimensions of individuals and communities, and the social construction of gender. Units: (3) (Fulfills GE Category C.2)

  • WGST 101 Introduction to Ethnic Studies
    Perspectives through which people of color have come to see themselves in terms of their own heroes, cultures and contributions to the societies in which they live and the world in general.(Same as Asian American Studies 101, Chicano Studies 101, Women's Studies 101) Units: (3) (Fulfills GE Category D.1)

  • WGST 105 Introduction to Queer Studies
    Introduces the field of Queer Studies by examining foundational theoretical texts, contemporary scholarship, and cultural productions that address questions concerning power, desire, sex, politics, bodies, nationalism, citizenship, transnationalism, and race.Units: (3)

  • WGST 205 Gender and Globalization 
    How globalization affects women's lives through the distribution of wealth, knowledge and opportunity. Local and transnational responses to global processes and how activists can work within and between these movements. International in focus. One or more sections may be offered in any online format.. Units: (3) (Fulfills GE Category E*)

  • WGST/GEOG 220 Introduction to Gender and Social Space
    Introduction to the study of gender within the history of geography as a social science. Concepts such as the social construction of gender and space and how these concepts vary in different geographical regions. (3)

  • WGST/PHIL 302 Introduction to Intercultural Women's Studies
    Interdisciplinary introduction to intercultural women's issues and research in relevant disciplines. Units: (3) (Fulfills GE Category D.5*)

  • WGST 305: Gender Frameworks: Introducing Intersectionality

    Introduces students to intersectionality as a gender framework that contributes to our understanding of power, structures of domination, and gender. Class will examine its origins and how different women have used it to organize their social justice movements. (3)

  • AFAM/WGST 306 American Indian Women
    Prerequisite: completion of G.E. Category D.1. Female role in American Indian tribal lifestyles. Labor divisions, leadership, political and social activities from a number of tribes. Historical and contemporary issues, as they affect American Indian women. Units: (3) (Fulfills GE Category D.5*)

  • ASAM/WGST 308 Asian American Women
    Prerequisite: junior or senior standing. An interdisciplinary examination of Asian and Pacific Islander American women's experience. It compares and contrasts the experience of women from various parts of Asia and explores the social, cultural, and political issues they face both in the U.S. and abroad. Units: (3) (Fulfills GE Category E*)

  • AFAM//WGST 310 Black Women in America
    Prerequisite: completion of General Education Category III.C.1. Issues in the study of black women in America, including social, political, economic, and intellectual development. Historical and contemporary issues as they affect black American women will be investigated. Units: (3) (Fulfills GE Category D.5*)

  • CHIC/WGST 313 La Chicana
    Prerequisite: completion of General Education category III.C.1. The cultural influences that the family, religion, economic status, and community play upon the lifestyles, the values, and the roles held by Chicanas. Units: (3) (Fulfills GE Category D.5*)

  • ANTH/WGST 316 Anthropology of Sex and Gender
    This course examines human sex and gender roles in cross-cultural perspective and the role that gender plays in human social organization. Topics covered include cultural construction of gender; homosexuality, rights of women, evolution and gender. Units: (3) (Fulfills GE Category E*)

  • WGST 320 Gendered Techno-Culture
    Introduction to Arts and Humanities. Examines current technologies and their relationship to gender issues, combining theoretical considerations with practical applications. Students will learn some basic technologies to use as tools for their projects. Units: (3) (Fulfills GE Category C.3)

  • WGST 330 Women in Leadership
    Women’s conceptions of corporate and grassroots leadership. Examines traditional notions of leadership, successful leaders in business, education and politics, and how women become strong leaders. Units: (3) (Fulfills GE Category E*)

  • HIST/WGST 332 Concepts and Approaches in Women's History
    Prerequisites: HIST 110B; HIST 170B, or HIST 180. Overview of problems, concepts, methodologies and debates that have characterized women’s history in recent decades. Units: (3)

  • WGST 340 Masculinities
    Critical examination of competing frameworks of masculinity. How the social construction of masculinity is framed by intersections of race, class, gender and sexuality.

  • PHIL/WGST 343 Philosophy of Feminism
    Prerequisite: three units of philosophy or three units of women's studies. A critical examination of philosophical issues connected with "second-wave" U.S. feminism. Alternative feminist theories, goals, and reconstruction of traditional areas of philosophy. Units: (3)

  • WGST 350 Research, Methodology, and Writing
    Study and evaluation of various methodological approaches used to address gender issues, such as survey analysis, oral history, personal narrative, and ethnography. Development of research skills, including computer applications. Development of writing skills, including research papers. Units: (3)

  • ECON/WGST 355 Economics of Gender and Work
    An Examination of demographic trends and the analysis of changing gender roles, experiences in paid and unpaid work, education, and market discrimination. International Comparisons. Units: (3) (Fulfills GE Category D.5)

  • WGST 360 Politics of Sexuality
    A critical examination of the cultural politics of sexuality within the United States and across national and cultural boundaries using feminist theories and methods. A focus on sexual controversies illuminates the relationship between sex, power, and social change. Units: (3) (Fulfills GE Category D.5*)

  • WGST 370 Gender, Activism and Social Change
    An advanced introduction to activism studies and the role of gender, race, and sexuality in activist movements both in the US and abroad. Topics may include: labor, environmental, trade, women’s, queer, immigrant, consumer and celebrity activism among others. Units: (3)

  • WGST/GERO 410 Women, Health, and Aging
    Prerequisite: junior or senior standing. Course focuses on the critical analysis of influential gendered images found in literature, painting, films, and advertising which depict disability and other health issues related to aging. (Same as Gerontology 410) Units: (3)

  • WGST 420 Queer Theory
    Theories and debates in Queer Studies, emphasizing sexualities and the settings in which they are lived, celebrated and contested. Critically assess sexuality as an economic, political and social category of identity.) Units: (3)

  • WGST 470T Topics in Women's Studies
    Discuss and analyze current topics and issues from an interdisciplinary perspective. Feminism and popular culture; sex, gender and rock and roll. May be repeated once for credit with different topic. Units: (3)

  • WGST 480 Feminist Theories
    Study of history and theories of feminism. Readings and discussions of theoretical developments in feminist thought and activism. Historical overview of connections between women as social actors and agents of social change and feminist theorizing. May be repeated once for credit. Units: (3)

  • WGST 482: Difference and Intersectionality
    Examines theoretical concepts and frameworks employed by feminist scholars to understand the nature and meaning of difference using the theory of inter-sectionality. Focuses on categories that define women and serve as basis of discrimination including race, sexual orientation, and class. (3)

  • POSC/WGST 485 Women and Politics
    Prerequisite: Political Science 100. The changing political environment and women's role in elected, appointed and other public agencies; issues of particular concern to women, including family issues, comparable worth, and other economic issues and political participation. Not applicable for graduate degree credit. Units: (3) (Fulfills GE Category D.5)

  • WGST 490T Advanced Readings in Feminist Theory
    Covers the work of a single feminist writer within the larger field of feminist theory, such as Simone de Beauvoir, Angela Davis and Gloria Anzaldua for an entire semester. May be repeated with different topics for a maximum of 12 units. Units: (3)

  • WGST 492 Capstone in Women and Gender Studies
    Culminating experience for Women and Gender Studies majors and minors. Examines history, politics and current debates within the field of Women and Gender Studies. Units: (3)

  • WGST 495 Internship and Community Service
    Prerequisite: approval by instructor. Internship with guided tutorial in community organizations. Focus on gender and women’s issues in a feminist framework. Units: (3)

  • WGST 499 Independent Study
    Prerequisite: approval by instructor. An opportunity to do extended research in Women's Studies, or to link an interest in another discipline to an interest in Women's Units: (1-3)