Gender Studies
Wabash College is committed to preparing its students for leadership and service in a diverse and changing society. As part of that commitment, the minor in Gender Studies affords students the opportunity to gain a firm grounding in an interdisciplinary field that investigates the social, cultural, and biological factors that constitute femininity, masculinity, and sexual identity. Gender Studies explores the similarities and differences between the experiences, perspectives, and voices of women and men by analyzing variations in gender roles that occur across cultures and over time, examining relationships between biological differences and social power, and investigating the complex interaction of gender with race, class, and culture. Gender Studies also involves a critical investigation of strategies that aim to transform unjust or coercive social systems based on gender. Through coursework and an independent senior project, students undertake a systematic and critical analysis of gender issues across academic disciplines. The program is administered by the Gender Studies Minor Steering Committee.
Wabash College students who participate in the minor in Gender Studies will enhance their preparation for careers in a wide variety of areas. These include, but are not limited to, human services, law, government, teaching, the arts, clinical work, social work, public relations, advertising, and journalism. Some graduates with expertise in Gender Studies may also pursue further study of gender as graduate students in a wide range of academic fields.
Students who pursue a minor in Gender Studies will:
- Become familiar with the vocabulary and theories of the field of Gender Studies
- Appreciate Gender Studies as an interdisciplinary field that investigates the social, cultural, and biological factors that constitute femininity, masculinity, and sexual identity
- Understand how living out the Wabash mission requires them to:
- Think critically about the continuously evolving concept of gender,
- Act responsibly on the issue of gender inequality,
- Lead effectively by educating others about the role of gender, and
- Live humanely by promoting gender equality when they have the power to do so.
Requirements for the Minor
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GEN-101 | Introduction to Gender Studies | 1 |
| Electives | 3 | |
| Three credits from at least two different departments. | ||
| Human Sexual Behavior | ||
| Fatherhood | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Special Topics: Behavioral Sciences | ||
| Topics in Modern Europe | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Studies in Multicult/Nat'l Lit | ||
| Adv Topics:World&Comp History | ||
| Gender and Communication | ||
| Studies in Special Topics | ||
| Advanced Topics: American History | ||
| Seminar in English Lit | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Capstone 1 | 1 | |
| Gender Studies Capstone | ||
| Total Credits | 5 | |
| 1 | This may be either an independent study project that explores the student’s chosen focus in greater depth or, if enough students are completing minors, a seminar class in which students will explore their topics comparatively. These will be assigned as GEN-490 Gender Studies Capstone Independent Study courses, and must be approved by the Committee Chair. Students should expect to complete the capstone by the fall semester of their senior year. |
Each student’s program will be approved and supervised by the Gender Studies Minor Steering Committee, and a member of this committee may serve as secondary field examiner on the senior oral examination.
Occasional courses (Special Topics or other courses of particular relevance to Gender Studies) may also count toward this requirement with the approval of the Gender Studies Minor Steering Committee. Interested students should consult with a member of the Gender Studies Minor Steering Committee for advice regarding relevant courses and the frequency of offerings. Students should also consult the Academic Bulletin and semester-by-semester information from the Registrar’s office regarding when courses are offered.
Students are encouraged to take Gender Studies 101 in their freshmen or sophomore year, and to complete as much of the minor as possible before enrolling in the Capstone course in the fall of their senior year.
GEN-101 Introduction to Gender Studies
This course introduces students to the
interdisciplinary field of gender studies by
exploring questions about the
meaning of gender in society. The course will
familiarize students with the central issues,
questions and debates in
Gender Studies scholarship by analyzing themes of
gendered performance and power in law, culture,
education,
work, health, social policy and the family. Key
themes may include but are not limited to the
relationship between
sex and gender, the legal and social workings of
the private / public distinction, the way that
disciplinary practices
code certain behaviors as masculine or feminine,
the intersection of gender with race and
ethnicity, the gendered
structure of power, the tension between
difference and equality, the production and
circulation of gender
expectations in the media, and the contested role
of the law in achieving equality. By course end,
students will
understand central themes and debates in the
field of gender studies, demonstrate a facility
with basic terms and
concepts of the field, apply methods of analyzing
gender to society and to their own life
experiences and
communicate effectively about these issues in
writing and speech
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1
Distribution: Literature/Fine Arts, History/Philosophy/Religion
GEN-102 Human Sexual Behavior
An overview of human sexual anatomy, development,
function, and diversity. Emphasis is on the
psychological aspects of sexuality including the
study of attitudes towards sexuality, sexual
preference, love and marriage, contraception, and
commercial sex. Particular attention is paid to
the development and enactment of sex roles, the
construction of gender, and sex differences.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1
GEN-103 Seminars in Theater
These seminars focus on specific topics in
theater and film. They are designed to introduce
students to the liberal arts expressed by
noteworthy pioneers and practitioners in theater
and film.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1
Distribution: Literature/Fine Arts
GEN-104 Intro to Philosophy: Nature
This course will serve as an introduction to
philosophy by examining the ways philosophers have
used nature historically to justify the social
order: by identifying essences that prescribe
roles, legitimating social hierarchy by dividing
the world between what is closer to nature and
what overcomes or surpasses nature, distinguishing
between good and natural actions and bad and
unnatural ones, and distinguishing between culture
and the material of culture. This course will
examine the philosophical positions behind these
claims and critiques of these positions. The
course will take up the example of gender at
various places across the semester to think about
the implications of various conceptions of nature
in the history of philosophy.
Students are discouraged from taking more than one
course numbered 109 or below.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1
Equated Courses: PHI-104
GEN-105 Fatherhood
An introduction to the psychological research
into issues surrounding fatherhood. Topics to be
covered include the role of fathers in children's
development, the effect of being a father on
adult development, men's views on fatherhood, the
effect of fatherhood on romantic relationships,
and balancing work and home life.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1
Equated Courses: PSY-105
GEN-171 Special Topics
The content of this course varies from
semester to semester, and it may be repeated for
credit upon the instructor's approval. Refer to
Self-Service and the Registrar's webpage for
topics and descriptions of current offerings.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1
GEN-200 Special Topics
Seminar discussion of a topic or area in ethical
theory, applied ethics, or social and political
philosphy. Refer to the Course Descriptions
document on the Registrar's webpage for topics and
descriptions of current offerings.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1
GEN-209 Special Topics: Behavioral Sciences
Various topics at the intermediate level
pertaining to economic, political, sociological or
psychological approaches to gender, family,
sexuality ore related issues. Refer to the Course
Descriptions document on the Registrar's web page
for topics and descriptions of current offerings.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1
GEN-210 Topics in American History
Since the content of this course varies from
semester to semester, it may be repeated for
credit upon the instructor's approval
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1
GEN-212 World Cinema
The course will survey non-Hollywood
international movements in the history of cinema.
It will explore issues of nation, history,
culture, identity and their relation to questions
of film production and consumption in
contemporary film culture. Emphasis will be
placed on major directors, films, and movements
that contributed to the development of narrative
cinema internationally. The course will
investigate a variety of genres and individual
films, paying close attention to their aesthetic,
historical, technological and ideological
significance. For example, African cinema
introduces themes of colonialism, resistance and
post-colonial culture, while the New Iranian
Cinema articulates problems of politics and
censorship within a new national film culture.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1
GEN-230 Topics in Modern Europe
Various topics on gender, sex and/or sexuality in
modern Europe. Since the
content of this course varies from semester to
semester, it may be repeated upon the instructor's
approval. Refer to the Course Descriptions
document on the Registrar's webpage for topics and
descriptions of current offerings.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1
GEN-231 Intermediate Topics in Political Theory
Intermediate course on a topic in political theory
focusing on gender, sex and/or sexuality. Topics
vary from semester to semester. Refer to the
Course Descriptions document on the Registrar's
web page for topics and descriptions of current
offerings.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1
Distribution: Behavioral Science
GEN-270 Special Topics: Lit/Fine Arts
Since the content of this course varies from
semester to semester, it may be repeated for
credit upon the instructor's approval. Refer to
the Course Descriptions document on the
Registrar's webpage for topics and descriptions of
current offerings.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1
GEN-277 Special Topics
The course provides opportunities for specialized,
innovative material to be made available for
students at the introductory level. Since the
content of this course varies from semester to
semester, it may be repeated for credit upon the
instructor's approval. Refer to the Course
Descriptions document on the Registrar's webpage
for topics and descriptions of current offerings.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1
GEN-300 Studies in Multicult/Nat'l Lit
Since the content of this course varies from semester to semester, it may be repeated for credit upon the instructor's approval. Refer to the Course Descriptions document on the Registrar's webpage for topics and descriptions of current offerings.
Prerequisites: ENG-105, ENG-106, ENG-107, ENG-109, ENG-160, ENG-214, ENG-215, ENG-216, ENG-217, ENG-218, ENG-219, ENG-220, ENG-260, or
ENG-297
Credits: 0.5-1
GEN-302 Adv Topics:World&Comp History
This course provides opportunities for small
group and independent work in intensive study of
selected topics in world and comparative history.
Since the content of this course varies from
semester to semester, it may be repeated for
credit upon the instructor's approval. Refer to
the Course Descriptions document on the
Registrar's webpage for topics and descriptions of
current offerings.
Prerequisites: 0.5 credit from HIS
Credit: 1
Distribution: History/Philosophy/Religion
GEN-303 Gender and Communication
As a culture, we often we take gender for
granted. Yet, we live in a culture where men and
women are molded and shaped by communicative
practices and mass-mediated representations that
generate our ideals of masculinity and
femininity. This class examines this
process-providing a platform for students to
reflect upon gender formation and develop a
theoretical vocabulary for describing this
process. By the end of the semester, class
participants will develop a more sophisticated
understanding of the manner in which gendered
messages and practices have shaped perceptions of
their symbolic universe.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1
GEN-304 Studies in Special Topics
Refer to the Course Descriptions document on the
Registrar's webpage for topics and descriptions of
current offerings.
Prerequisites: ENG-105, ENG-106, ENG-107, ENG-109, ENG-160, ENG-214, ENG-215, ENG-216, ENG-217, ENG-218, ENG-219, ENG-220, ENG-260, or
ENG-297
Credit: 1
GEN-324 Advanced Topics: American History
This course provides opportunities for small
group and independent work in intensive study of
selected topics in American history. Since the
content of this course varies from semester to
semester, it may be repeated for credit upon the
instructor's approval. Refer to the Course
Descriptions document on the Registrar's webpage
for topics and descriptions of current offerings.
Prerequisites: HIS-240, HIS-241, HIS-242, HIS-244, or HIS-245
Credit: 1
GEN-400 Seminar in English Lit
Two sections of ENG-497 are the two Advanced
Courses offered every fall. These are seminars
designed primarily for English majors (although
occasionally English minors enroll in them). The
topics vary depending upon the research and
teaching interests of the faculty. They demand a
high level of student involvement in research and
discussion. Several short papers and a long
critical essay are required. Note: the two
seminars are offered only in the fall semester.
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1
Distribution: Literature/Fine Arts
GEN-487 Independent Study
Individual research projects. The manner of study
will be determined by the student in consultation
with the instructor. Students must receive
written approval of their project proposal from a
department Chair before registering for the
course.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1
GEN-488 Independent Study
Individual research projects. The manner of study
will be determined by the student in consultation
with the instructor. Students must receive
written approval of their project proposal from a
department Chair before registering for the
course.
Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0.5-1
GEN-490 Gender Studies Capstone
Seminar in Gender Studies
Prerequisites: GEN-101, and 2 additional credits from GEN
Credit: 1
Gender Studies Minor Steering Committee
Agata Szczeszak-Brewer, English, chair
Jennifer Abbott, Rhetoric Crystal Benedicks, English Cara Healey, Modern Languages Lorraine McCrary, Political Science Elan Pavlinich, English Michelle Rhoades, History
Adriel M. Trott, Philosophy
The Gender Studies Minor Steering Committee is typically composed of faculty who teach regularly for the minor. In order to develop a stable sense of identity for this interdisciplinary program, the general expectation is that to teach for the minor, faculty will serve on the committee. We recognize that this creates an additional obligation for those faculty, but the expectations for steering committee members are light. Faculty serving on the committee, and thus teaching for the minor, are expected to
- teach a course once every three years
- attend a meeting once a semester to meet with students and to discuss any administrative concerns regarding the minor
- publicize the minor with students
In the event that a faculty member who is unable to meet these obligations wishes to offer or cross-list a gender studies course, they are welcome to submit their courses to the steering committee for consideration. While we make exceptions for extenuating circumstances, we encourage faculty who plan to teach courses that they want cross-listed on a regular basis to join the committee. The minor values regularity and predictability of courses and commitment of faculty above a wide range of offerings.