Introduces students to the interdisciplinary field of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender studies. Examines LGBT identity, sexuality, gender, politics, and culture from a variety of disciplinary and theoretical perspectives, including history, sociology, philosophy, and science.

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.

The origins of feminism date back many centuries and are still hotly contested by scholars. They also continue to debate who were the leading theorists and activists and whether feminist history as a field of study can be organized into phases or "waves," among many other issues. This course examine the origins of western feminist theory and political activism from the 15th century up until the 1970s.

This course explores the dynamic world of family, gender, and sexuality in China from ancient times to the twentieth century. We cover a wide range of topics including family and marriage patterns, women and political power, gender and law, gender and medical care, gender and arts, femininity and masculinity, and same-sex relations. We incorporate diverse approaches like political, legal, spatial, and intellectual history, using historical biographies, personal writings, legal documents, as well as literary and visual sources.We will discuss questions such as: What were the continuities and changes of the normative gender roles in different historical periods? How did these changes relate to the political and social environment, laws, and religions? How did actual gender practices conform to or deviate from the normative? How did gender, class, and age intersect with one another? In what ways was gender presented in different genres of writing, and how should we critically read these sources? This course will be useful for students interested in China and gender studies as well as those seeking to understand cultural diversity and social issues from multiple perspectives.

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.

This course aims to engage students in a discussion on transgender social, cultural, and political issues. Rather than focusing on individual identity, we will turn to structural and institutional forms of power that focus on gender. How have trans people historically resisted their subjugation and exclusion? What would transgender justice look like?

Examines social constructions of gender in the visual arts from the Renaissance through today, focusing on artists including Artemisia Gentileschi, Rosa Bonheur, Georgia O'Keeffe, Elizabeth Catlett, Judy Chicago and Vaginal Davis. Considers the intersections of race and class with gender, the power dynamics inherent in seeing and being seen, and the role of arts institutions in the creation and reception of art.

This course focuses on contemporary Black queer poets as conscience, witness, and scribe. We will examine the legacies with whom poets are in conversation and what poets offer in times of profound social distress. Close readings of several key poets will deepen our understanding of what makes social transformation possible; how my survival depends on yours. As June Jordan writes, "These poems/they are things that I do/ in the dark/reaching for you/whoever you are."

Consent of instructor required.

A formal thesis proposal should be submitted in the semester prior to commencing thesis research.

Analyzes global politics from a feminist and gendered perspective on foreign policies, conduct of war, military, and prospects for development. Explores gender and sexuality in the construction of nationalism and identity, justice for war crimes and human rights abuses, trafficking in persons, resolution of conflict, and terrorism.

Consent of department required. Enrollment normally open only to juniors, seniors, and graduate students. Offers advanced studies in the history of women's experience and the construction of gender. Each semester, draws upon one of a series of revolving themes, including gender and consumer culture; women and education; gender and war; women, work and professionalization; and the suffrage movement.

Examines the scope and variety of violence in the family from an interdisciplinary perspective that includes: (a) a theoretical framework of economics, law, public policy, psychology, and sociology; (b) a cross-cultural understanding of family violence against girls and women; and (c) an exploration of the sociopolitical, legal, and cultural response to family violence. Discussion of the theories used to describe and research family violence that include: violence against women, children, intimate partners, and elderly family members.

Analyzes how film form positions women and investigates how female audiences consume the medium. Topics include female directors and stars, gaze theory and psychoanalysis, melodrama and the "woman's film," feminist documentary, racialized bodies, lesbian cinema, feminist television criticism, chick flicks, and postfeminism.

Examines the scope and variety of violence in the family from an interdisciplinary perspective that includes: (a) a theoretical framework of economics, law, public policy, psychology, and sociology; (b) a cross-cultural understanding of family violence against girls and women; and (c) an exploration of the sociopolitical, legal, and cultural response to family violence. Discussion of the theories used to describe and research family violence that include: violence against women, children, intimate partners, and elderly family members.