Explores the writings and cultural contexts of literature by and about women from the 19th century to the present. Features novels, short stories, speeches, poems, and plays. Selected topics may include: education, friendship, sexuality, the marriage plot, labor, and protest and politics.

Explores American women's diverse experiences from pre-Columbian times to 1890, as they re-envisioned their place within families and communities, entered wage work, and struggled for rights. Emphasizes women's self-representation in writing and the visual arts, as well as gender's intersections with racial, class, ethnic, sexual, regional, religious, and other identities.

Introduces questions of how politics is gendered, and how gender is political. Explores the development of the contemporary feminist movement; what masculinity means today; how transgender politics have uprooted traditional understandings of gender; why marriage equality has come to define gay rights; how race and class are relevant to gender; and the possibility of gender equality in the United States.

Examines the unique perspective of health care from the cultural lens appropriate to women of color. Historical, social, environmental, and political factors that contribute to racial and gender disparities in health care are analyzed. Students will develop cultural competency tools for more effective health care delivery.

Consent of instructor required.

Consent of department required. A formal thesis proposal should be submitted in the semester prior to commencing thesis research. Successful completion of WGST-350 Independent Study required before registering for WGST-355.