Gender studies courses focus upon gender identity and gendered representation as central categories of analysis. Gender studies uses the concept of gender to analyze a wide range of disciplines. Although many lines of argumentation in gender studies are inspired by feminism, a broad variety of theoretical approaches are used to study the categories of gender. Gender studies includes women’s studies, men’s studies, and gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender studies.
The Gender Studies major: All gender studies majors must take Gender Studies 100 Introduction to Gender Studies, Gender Studies 490 Senior Seminar and Thesis Preparation, and Gender Studies 497 or 498 Thesis. Gender studies majors must complete at least 28 additional credits; at least 12 of these additional credits must be at the 300-400 level. Students will work closely with an adviser to select courses, which meet the following two criteria:
At least one course must be taken in each of the following four areas: theory (e.g., Politics 328, Philosophy 235), history (e.g., History 300, History 325, Classics 140), social sciences (e.g., Anthropology 358, Politics 357, Psychology 239, Sociology 258), humanities (e.g., Art History 329, Religion 358, Rhetoric and Film Studies 240). See the list of courses offered in gender studies to determine the area into which a course falls.
At least three courses at or above the 200 level must be closely related in topic or methodology. This concentration can be achieved by taking three courses from one department (e.g., history) or by taking three courses with the same focus (e.g., Latin America) from different departments. In all courses, the student’s work should focus on issues of gender, even if the course itself is not as a gender studies course. Before pre-registration for the senior year the major adviser must agree that the student has proposed an acceptable means of meeting the concentration requirement.
A course in biology (e.g., Biology 120 or 125) is recommended. Students considering graduate programs are strongly advised to complete a minor in a related discipline (e.g., anthropology history, politics, psychology, sociology).
In the final semester the student must pass a senior assessment consisting of a senior thesis and an approximately one-and-a-half-hour oral examination, which will include questions concerning the thesis and coursework taken for the major.
No more than 12 credits earned in off-campus programs and transfer credit, nor more than four credits in independent study, may be used to satisfy the gender studies major requirements. Courses completed in gender studies apply to the humanities, social sciences, alternative voices, and fine arts distribution areas. Students who enter Whitman with no prior college-level coursework in gender studies would need to complete 40 credits to fulfill the requirements for the gender studies major.
The Gender Studies minor: A minimum of 20 credits to include Gender Studies 100 and at least four hours of coursework at the 100 or 200 levels and at least eight hours at the 300 or 400 levels. The student, in consultation with a gender studies adviser, will plan a program which will meet requirements of special interest and intellectual coherence, and will include courses in the social sciences, humanities and, when possible, the sciences.
The following courses are available for a gender studies major or minor. Th (theory), Hi (history), SS (social sciences), or Hu (humanities) indicates the cluster area within the major to which a course may be applied.
Please check the Gender Studies Web page for updates to this list and for information about gender studies courses offered in alternate years: www. whitman.edu/gender studies.
Note: A course cannot be used to satisfy both major and minor requirements, e.g., History 370 cannot be used to apply toward the 38 credit requirement for the gender studies major and history minor or vice versa.
100 Introduction to Gender Studies
4, 4 Fall: Morrissey; Spring: Wilcox
This interdisciplinary course is designed to introduce students, particularly those intending to complete a gender studies major or minor, to questions in which gender is a significant category of analysis. Topics will include the construction of gender identity and sexuality and the relationship of gender to past and present social and cultural institutions, gendered representations in the arts and literature, and feminist and related theoretical approaches to various disciplines. Open to first- and second-year students; others by consent of instructor.
110-119 Special Topics
4, 4
This course explores selected topics in gender studies.
291, 292 Independent Study
1-4, 1-4 Staff
Discussion and directed reading on a topic of interest to the individual student. The project must be approved by the staff. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
300-309 Special Topics
4, 4
This course explores selected topics in gender studies.
490 Senior Seminar
4, x Morrissey
Taught by a gender studies faculty member with guest participation by others, this seminar is intended to engage senior majors in sustained discussion of contemporary gender issues. Readings, discussion, and papers, including a proposal for the thesis. Required of and limited to senior gender studies majors. (Fall degree candidates should plan to take this seminar at the latest possible opportunity).
491, 492 Independent Study
1-4, 1-4 Staff
Directed study and research on a topic of interest to the individual student. The project must be approved by the staff. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
497 Thesis
x, 4 Staff
Completion of a thesis based on the previous semester’s plan.
498 Honors Thesis
x, 4 Staff
Completion of an honors thesis. Required of and limited to senior honors candidates in gender studies. Prerequisite: admission to honors candidacy.
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