Introduction to basic concepts and issues informing studies in gender, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transsexual/gender (GLBT) identities. Classic and contemporary texts from different cultures will cover biological, historical and social constructions of gender and sexuality. Transformations in family and society, global and intersectional perspectives on GLBT identity, political activism, cultural and social perceptions of gender and sexuality will be discussed.

Introduction to major topics and issues within feminism. Using interdisciplinary and intersectional perspectives, the course will examine issues in women's and gender studies across the globe. Feminist methods and approaches will be examined using classic and contemporary texts. Topics include intersectionality, LGBTQ studies, domestic violence, reproductive justice, beauty standards, disability, and globalization.

An examination of the institutional structures, practices and ideals contributing to feminist struggles, and achievements of women¿s movements in the United States. This course explores how factors of race, class, gender, and sexuality have contributed to the emergence of feminist consciousness and struggles for social justice in the United States from the nineteenth century to the present time.

This course applies principles of feminism to the study of motherhood as social institution and private experience. Students explore family, cultural and social values that influenced their mothers and grandmothers, analyzing the impact of social institutions on their own childhood and adulthood. Students develop awareness of the historic evolution of women's social and private roles and the changing emphasis on woman as mother, wife/sexual companion and wage earning person largely through African American women's social movements.

Provides an introduction to historical and contemporary conditions affecting women's lives and contributions to Middle Eastern societies. Readings will be framed with a focus on women within state systems and political life, economic activity, family systems, religious thought and law, health, arts and literature.

This course explores feminist analyses of medicine. An intersectional approach to how medical science constructs knowledge about health will be examined. This interdisciplinary study draws on humanities and social sciences; feminism; medical, scientific, and clinical literature; popular sources; and web discourses. How gender, race, class, sexuality, ethnicity, nationality, and disability intersect and shape behavior and experience will be analyzed. Contemporary social movements and activism by women and LGBTQIA+ people will also be discussed.

Designed to examine the effects of the dynamic interaction of gender, race, and class on women. The social construction of gender, race, and class will also be examined. Other topics to be discussed and researched are the effects of sexism, racism, and classicism on institutions such as academia, business, government, religion, and social movements. Also provides an analysis of effective techniques to end sexism, racism, and classicism.

Prerequisite: GWAR certification before Fall 09; or WPJ score of 80+; or 3-unit placement in ENGL 109M or ENGL 109W; or 4-unit placement in ENGL 109M or ENGL 109W and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X; or WPJ score 70 or 71 and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X.

Examines the social, economic, and cultural uniqueness of various ethnic groups in the U.S. Includes discussion of definitions of sexism, racism, economic exploitation, feminism, and the nature and evolution of the women's movement in relation to women of color.

Explores topics basic to discussion of women's paid and unpaid work from historical and crosscultural perspectives. Consideration is given to popular conceptions and stereotypes of work and "women's issues" in the industrialized world; the private and public lives of women and men with emphasis on work and social realities; and the maintenance of patriarchy under capitalism, socialism and communism, with some possible feminist "solutions."

Prerequisite: GWAR certification before Fall 09; or WPJ score of 80+; or 3-unit placement in ENGL 109M or ENGL 109W; or 4-unit placement in ENGL 109M or ENGL 109W and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X; or WPJ score 70 or 71 and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X.

Consider from an international feminist perspective the forms of violence directed at women. It will also look at contemporary attitudes towards women, children, power, aggression and sexuality. Topics include sexual assault; child abuse; medical violence; psychiatric violence; economic violence; and military violence. Also examines the ways in which women are individually and collectively combating these various forms of violence.

Provides a critique of traditional patriarchal religions and traces women's participation in the evolution of the human spirit. Consideration is given to the history of Goddess religion and its resurgence in the contemporary world; sexism in institutionalized religions and the current advances women are making in the churches; and dimensions of woman spirit incorporated in today's feminist art and literature.

Provides a historical overview, as well as in-depth studies of the similarities and differences in feminist developments from an international perspective. Examples will be drawn from industrialized democracies, centrally planned socialist states, and third world countries. Pluralistic trends in feminist development within countries will also be examined with a view to understanding the differential impact of gender based discrimination on different categories of women.

Prerequisite: Minimum 45 units completed

Introduces students to the fields of queer theory and trans theory from a transnational feminist perspective. Includes theoretical approaches to the history of sexuality and the politics of sexual and gender normativity. Places queer and trans studies in conversation with Native studies, dis/ability studies, postcolonial theory, critical race and ethnic studies, and feminist theory.

Prerequisite: WGS 50 or instructor permission.

This course examines the influence of socially constructed meanings of femininity and masculinity on the political participation of women, candidate selection, election campaigns, and electoral outcomes in executive and legislative offices in the U.S. and worldwide. Students will develop a rich understanding of the relationship between gender and women¿s political representation and analyze and discuss institutional, structural, cultural, and historical conditions associated with women's voting behavior, political advancement, leadership styles, and impacts of political representation on women.

Cross Listed: POLS 166; only one may be counted for credit.

This interdisciplinary course utilizes texts from various humanities and social sciences disciplines to survey the field of feminist disability studies, with emphasis on intersectional feminist disability theory, narrative, and practice. Attention will be given to historical and contemporary social movements and activism by disabled people, focusing particularly on disability justice. Students will analyze how individual experiences of gender, race, class, sexuality, ethnicity, and nationality intersect with disability to reflect institutional bias against multiply marginalized disabled people.

Prerequisite: GWAR certification before Fall 09; or WPJ score of 80+; or 3-unit placement in ENGL 109M or ENGL 109W; or 4-unit placement in ENGL 109M or ENGL 109W and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X; or WPJ score 70 or 71 and co-enrollment in ENGL 109X.

Supervised experience in selected women's organizations and projects in the Sacramento area; for example, the Rape Crisis Center, Women Escaping a Violent Environment (WEAVE), Sacramento Women's Center.

Prerequisite: Instructor permission.

Supervised individual research projects or directed reading specifically related to Women's Studies topics. Should be taken by students who can work on an individual basis.

Prerequisite: WGS 115 and instructor permission.