Course Descriptions - Undergraduate Calendar 2012-2013

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WS 100s


WS 101 LEC,TUT 0.50Course ID: 009029
An Introduction to Women's Studies
This is a survey course that provides an overview of the history of women's rights and struggles in western countries, with a special focus on Canada. The course provides an interdisciplinary focus that includes the impacts of culture, religion, politics and societal values on women's lives. The historical overview concludes with contemporary issues that include race/ethnicity, class, sexuality, body image, and violence.
Also offered Online

WS 102 LEC 0.50Course ID: 012196
Contemporary Women's Issues in Canada
This course introduces students to contemporary scholarship in the field of Women's Studies. Topics covered include female bodies and representation; aging women; violence against women; women and family; women and work; women in education; women and health; and women and religion.

WS 108E LEC 0.50Course ID: 005049
Women in Literature
A study of the role and representation of women, gender, and sexuality in literature in English.
(Cross-listed with ENGL 108E)

WS 200s


WS 201 LEC 0.50Course ID: 009032
Images of Women in Popular Culture
The course examines contemporary images of women and their historical foundations in a range of media, including books, magazines, film, television and the internet. The effects of these images on women's self-esteem and body image, as well as the strategies used to challenge these effects, will also be discussed.

WS 202 LEC 0.50Course ID: 012301
Women Across Cultures: Canadian and Global Perspectives
The dynamics of gender and their intersection with race, ethnicity, class and sexuality in an increasingly globalized world are the focus of this course. Special emphasis will be given to women in developing world contexts and the lives of women in a multicultural Canada.

WS 205 LEC 0.50Course ID: 011699
Gender, Culture and Technology
This course highlights the social relations that surround and define a range of technologies from household appliances to the internet. Special emphasis will be given to the different ways and contexts in which men and women understand and experience technology as designers, engineers, producers and consumers.

WS 206 LEC 0.50Course ID: 012768
Women and the Law
This course provides an introduction to feminist legal thought with a particular focus on Canadian cases, legislation, law reform, and legal literature. Included is an analysis of the ways in which law contributes to women's legal, social, political, and economic status as well as the manner in which the law is used as a mechanism of social change for women. The intersection of gender with age, race, ethnicity, religion, and class will be addressed.
(Cross-listed with LS 201)
Also offered at St. Jerome's University

WS 207 LEC 0.50Course ID: 011705
Women and Entrepreneurship
This course examines women's work in North America since the mid-19th century, through to the enormous growth and success of women entrepreneurs in today's society. The final weeks of the course will feature guest speakers, adding a practical component to the course.
[Note: Formerly WS 305]

WS 208E LEC 0.50Course ID: 005084
Women Writing since 1900
This course explores work of women writers, their challenges to social and literary conventions, and their development of voice through major literary movements of the twentieth century and beyond.
(Cross-listed with ENGL 208E)
Also offered at Renison University College

WS 209 LEC 0.50Course ID: 008588
Gender Relations
An examination of gender relations in Canadian society, including historical changes and the contemporary situation. Emphasis is placed on a consideration of the social construction of gender, the gender structure of institutions and gender inequality. The course also examines selected issues in contemporary gender relations.
Prereq: SOC 101 or 120R
(Cross-listed with SOC 206)

WS 222 LEC 0.50Course ID: 007253
Gender Issues
Philosophical analysis of issues relating to sex/gender. Questions considered might include the following: What, if anything, is the difference between sex and gender? How much of a role do facts about biology play in our ideas about sex and gender? How many sexes are there? What ethical issues arise for us in virtue of our gender?
(Cross-listed with PHIL 202)
Also offered Online

WS 261 LEC 0.50Course ID: 008331
Women and the Great Religions
Through a review of the teachings of the great religious traditions about women, this course aims to arrive at a global view of the situation of women 'in the world of religion'. On the basis of the evidence gathered, it will attempt an estimation of the role of religion as an intimate and important influence on human development.
[Note: This course fulfills an Area 3C requirement for Religious Studies majors.]
Antireq: RS 261 taken prior to Fall 2008
(Cross-listed with RS 284)

WS 262 LAB,SEM 0.50Course ID: 013221
Global Queer Cinema
This course introduces the varied production of world-wide gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender cinema. Inquiry will focus on how queer cinematic production serves as a vehicle for documentation and education, aesthetic and sexual experimentation, as well as cultural export and self-inquiry.
Antireq: FINE 290 taken Fall 2008
(Cross-listed with FINE 262)

WS 281 LEC 0.50Course ID: 011198
Women in Russia: The Conscience of a Nation
This course is a survey of the cultural, artistic, and literary impact of women on Russian society and intellectual development. It examines the changing images of Russian women from early tribal matriarchy to the present post-Communist period. Special attention is paid to the "women's question" in Russia, including nineteenth-century emancipation, the Revolutionary movement, and specific problems and achievements of women in Soviet and post-Soviet Russia.
[Note: Taught in English.]
(Cross-listed with REES 281)

WS 300s


WS 302 LEC 0.50Course ID: 012319
Thinking Through Gender: Feminist Perspectives
This course presents students with an opportunity to engage with a range of feminist theories and approaches to better understand gender in relation to the body, identity, law, sexuality, space, the State, and/or subjectivity. Queer and transgender theories and issues will also be addressed.
Prereq: WS 101

WS 306 LEC 0.50Course ID: 012750
Contemporary Health Issues for Women
This course draws on a range of feminist theories and frameworks to examine the interconnections between women and health in local, national, and international contexts. Topics may include the medicalization of women's health; reproductive experiences, choices, technologies and rights; health care systems and institutions; health policy; and the links with leisure, recreation, and health. Intersections of gender with race, ethnicity, religion, class, sexuality, and aging will also be addressed.
Prereq: WS 101 or 102; Level at least 3A
(Cross-listed with REC 306)

WS 308 SEM 0.50Course ID: 008200
Gender and Leisure
This seminar course focuses on recent theoretical and empirical research on the relationships between gender and leisure. Topics will include analysis of men's and women's leisure experiences, attitudes, constraints, challenges and behaviours. Gendered aspects of leisure will be explored in a variety of social and cultural contexts, including families, informal and social settings, organized leisure, and the media.
(Cross-listed with REC 408)

WS 320 SEM 0.50Course ID: 012739
Sex and the World Religions
This course examines deeply rooted attitudes in the major world religions toward sexual identity, practices, and gender. Examining sacred scriptures and codes of conduct from the world religions, as well as fictional writings and films, this course enables students to explore various social and religious traditions.
[Note: This course fulfills an Area 1C requirement for Religious Studies majors.]
(Cross-listed with RS 325)

WS 321 SEM 0.50Course ID: 012264
Women in Buddhism: A Global Perspective
An examination of the interplay between cultural and historical contexts and beliefs about the religious potential of Buddhist women, and their consequences for women's religious practice historically and currently in India, China, Japan and the West.
[Note: This course fulfills the Area 1C requirement for Religious Studies majors.]
Prereq: RS 100/100A.
Antireq: RS 346
(Cross-listed with RS 321)

WS 322 LEC 0.50Course ID: 012265
Images of the Feminine: India
This course offers an in-depth study and analysis of women as well as the Divine Feminine in the religions of India, which include Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism, Christianity, Zoroastrianism, tribal religion, and the Baha'i tradition.
[Note: This course fulfils an Area 1A requirement for Religious Studies majors.]
Prereq: RS 261/284 taken prior to Fall 2008.
Antireq: RS 347, 348 taken prior to Fall 2008
(Cross-listed with RS 302)

WS 323 SEM 0.50Course ID: 012268
Gender and Asian Religions
This course focuses on how the major Asian religious traditions construct gender and legitimize certain gender roles. Traditions covered include Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Islam, and Shinto.
[Note: This course fulfills an Area 1A requirement for Religious Studies majors.]
Prereq: RS 261/284 taken prior to Fall 2008.
Antireq: RS 348 taken prior to Fall 2008
(Cross-listed with RS 303)

WS 325 LEC 0.50Course ID: 012931
Austen
A study of selected novels by Jane Austen, including Pride and Prejudice and Emma. Her letters and juvenilia may also be considered, as well as some of the films based on or inspired by her novels.
Prereq: Level at least 3A
(Cross-listed with ENGL 325)

WS 331 LEC 0.50Course ID: 011121
Gender in War and Peace
An examination of various themes in the history of peace and war using gender as a central category of analysis. Theoretical literature and international case studies will be used to explore how the discourse and enactment of war and peace are influenced by societal constructions of gender, both historically and in the present.
Prereq: Level at least 2A
(Cross-listed with PACS 321)

WS 334 LEC 0.50Course ID: 007042
Women, Music and Gender
A study of gender issues relating to the role of women in music from antiquity to the present, emphasizing both classical and popular music within social, cultural settings of Western and non-Western societies.
(Cross-listed with MUSIC 334)

WS 365 RDG 0.50Course ID: 009036
Special Topics in Women's Studies
A reading course permitting a student to work with any member of the faculty participating in Women's Studies at UW. To be arranged with the Women's Studies Director and the respective Women's Studies faculty member.
Department Consent Required

WS 370 LEC 0.50Course ID: 013233
Women Writers of the Italian Renaissance
This course explores selected works by women writers of the Italian 16th century by focusing on their modes of adherence or challenge to the patriarchal literary and cultural canon of the day. It will examine early modern gender issues and innovative forms of self-expression as reflected in the writings of such women as Veronica Franco, Gaspara Stampa, Vittoria Colonna, Tullia D'Aragona, and Isabella di Morra. The course attempts to explore these writers' stances as both consumers and producers of culture as well as their contribution to the debate on women fashionable at the time.
Prereq: Level at least 3A
(Cross-listed with ITALST 370, ITAL 370)
Offered at St. Jerome's University

WS 400s


WS 409 SEM 0.50Course ID: 008702
Theoretical Perspectives on Gender
An examination of sociological theories of gender and gender relations. Emphasis is placed on tracing historical changes in interpretations of gender, with a particular consideration of contemporary theoretical debates. Approaches to be considered include feminist theories as well as political economy and cultural studies.
Prereq: SOC 206/WS 209
(Cross-listed with SOC 401)

WS 422 SEM 0.50Course ID: 007335
Studies in Feminist Philosophy/Philosophy of Sex
Special topics in feminist philosophy, women philosophers and/or the philosophy of sex, as announced by the Department of Philosophy.
Prereq: Level at least 3A
(Cross-listed with PHIL 402)

WS 430 LEC 0.50Course ID: 010352
Literary Women in Early Modern Hispanic Culture
This course will examine works by and about women in early modern Hispanic culture (16th and 17th centuries), with particular attention to engagements with and subversions of patriarchal culture in theatre, prose, and poetry. Authors to be discussed may include, among others, Santa Teresa de Avila, Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz, Maria de Zayas, and Ana Caro.
[Note: Taught in English.]
Prereq: Level at least 2B
(Cross-listed with SPAN 430)

WS 475 RDG 0.50Course ID: 009041
Advanced Research Project in Women's Studies
This course offers the opportunity for independent study of specialized areas, theory and methodology, texts, discourses and writers of interest in the context of women's history, status and condition. Students are under the tutorial guidance of a faculty member involved in Women's Studies.
Department Consent Required

WS 499A RDG 0.50Course ID: 013230
Senior Honours Thesis
Directed reading and research in a selected area of Women's Studies inquiry.
[Note: A numeric grade for WS 499A will be submitted only after the completion of WS 499B.]
Department Consent Required
Prereq: Level at least 4A Honours Women's Studies students

WS 499B RDG 0.50Course ID: 013231
Senior Honours Thesis
Directed reading and research in a selected area of Women's Studies inquiry.
Department Consent Required
Prereq: WS 499A; Level at least 4A Honours Women's Studies students