Women's Studies
Faculty
Amireh, Baker, Bartholomew, Beach, Bergoffen, Bowen, Braithwaite, Brown, Burr, Carbonneau, Censer, Cherubin, Christensen, Copelman, Davidson, Deshmukh, Eby, Fischer, ffolliott, Francescato, Fuchs, Fyfe, Gilbert, Gould, Gring-Pemble, Hamdani, Hanrahan (director), Henry, Hodges, Horton, Irvine, Irving, Johnsen-Neshati, Jordan, Kaplan, Kirkland, Koch, LeBaron, Lont, Mann, Masters, McNeely, McKenzie, Muir, Oates, Palkovich, Pascarell, Rabin, Rader, Ray, Raybuck, Regan, Ricouart, Rosenblum, Rosenzweig, Samuelian, Sandole-Staroste, Seligmann, Snyder, Sparks, Stearns, Schwartzstein Tichy, Todd, Travis, Walter, Weitzman, Yocom, Zawacki
Course Work
Women's studies offers all course work designated WMST in the "Course Descriptions" chapter of this catalog.
Undergraduate Program
Minor in Women's Studies
Women's studies is an interdisciplinary program open to the entire undergraduate student body.
Requirements
Students in this minor complete 21 credits with a minimum GPA of 2.00, distributed as follows:
Two required courses (6 credits):
- WMST 200 Introduction to Women's Studies
- WMST 330 Feminist Theories Across the Disciplines
One course (3 credits) selected from WMST courses:
- WMST 301 Sociology of Sex Roles
- WMST 302 Cultural Constructions of Sexualities
- WMST 303 Psychology of Women
- WMST 304 Women and Media
- WMST 305 Women and Literature
- WMST 306 Topics in Communication and Gender
- WMST 400 Internship in WMST
Four courses (12 credits) selected from courses in women's studies, courses cross-listed with women's studies, or course offerings in other departments approved by the director. No more than 6 credits may be taken in any one department.
Graduate Program
Certificate in Women's Studies
The graduate certificate is for students interested in understanding the social, political, and economic situations of women in their local, national, and global contexts. The certificate may be taken alone or in conjunction with another graduate program. Courses taken toward the certificate may also be used in a degree program, subject to the approval of the graduate coordinator in the respective program.
Admission
The certificate is open to all students who meet the university criteria for admission to graduate study. Students must submit a Mason application for graduate study.
Transfer Credit
Students may transfer up to 3 graduate credits earned at another accredited institution, and 9 graduate credits earned at Mason through extended studies toward the certificate, subject to the approval of the director and the dean.
Requirements
Students must complete 15 graduate credits, distributed as follows, and a capstone portfolio.
Two required courses (6 credits)
- WMST 630 Feminist Theories Across the Disciplines
- WMST 640 Women and Global Issues
Three electives (9 credits) chosen from relevant courses with approval of the director
- Possible electives:
- ENGL 675 Feminist Theory and Criticism
- HIST 630 U.S. Women's History
- PHIL 658 Feminist Theory
- SOCI 575 Women and the Law
- SOCW 511 Status of Vulnerable and At Risk Women
Capstone portfolio
Students synthesize their work in the certificate program by reflecting on how the issues, ideas, and theories raised in the core courses inform their understanding of women's issues within their area of interest. The portfolio includes three to five items produced in previous course work, and a seven to 10-page essay discussing them. Items selected may include course papers, performance videos, photos of exhibits, tapes of music, or other items as agreed on by the student and advisor. The portfolio must be approved by the advisor and submitted to the Women's Studies Research and Resource Center where it will be presented, displayed, and archived.