2012-2014 Plan of Study

Women's & Gender Studies Graduate Certificate Requirements

2012-2014 UNI Catalog

The Graduate Certificate in Women’s and Gender Studies is offered by the College of Humanities, Arts and Sciences and the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.

The Graduate Certificate in Women’s and Gender Studies (WGS) provides students the opportunity to be exposed to the rapidly expanding interdisciplinary scholarship on women’s and gender studies. This program is designed for students currently enrolled in a graduate program at UNI who are seeking a graduate degree in any discipline.

The WGS graduate certificate requires 12 credit hours, which must be successfully completed during a 5 year period to earn the certificate. At least 9 hours have to be completed at UNI and at least 6 of the 12 hours have to be at the 200/6000-level. Courses fulfilling the certificate program may be used to meet the requirements in a degree program in accordance with the policies of the Graduate College.

Curriculum requirements consist of 1 core course and a minimum of 9 credit hours of electives.

Students must take at least six credit hours of elective course work outside the degree-granting program. Students may petition the Director of WGS to add a relevant course.

For more information, contact the Women’s and Gender Studies office, 225 Sabin, 319-273-7102, or www. uni.edu/womenstudies.

Total Hours Required for Graduate Certificate …………………………………….12 hours

Required Course …………………………………….3 hours

ENGLISH 6120*: Feminist Literary Theories and Practice – 3 hours

Examination of how writers transform society’s beliefs about the nature and function of women in literary plots, images, and themes, and how, in turn, these influence society’s attitudes toward women. Emphasis on socio-historical approaches prevalent in the United States; attention to British political and French psychoanalytic critics. Prerequisite(s): ENGLISH 6100 or WGS 6289 or consent of instructor.

OR

PHIL 6010: Critical Perspectives on Gender – 3 hours

Consideration of two traditions that have influenced feminist theories in the last two decades – poststructuralism and psychoanalysis. Readings in primary texts (e.g., Foucault, Derrida, Freud, and Lacan) and explorations of feminist elaborations and critiques of these texts revealing the tenacity, centrality, and power in human lives of a sense of gendered existence. Same as RELS 6010.

OR

WGS 6289: Graduate Seminar in Women’s and Gender Studies: Comparative Feminist Theories – 3 hours

Analysis of identities and oppressions from national and international feminist perspectives.

OR

SOC 5071*: Feminist Theories in the Social Sciences – 3 hours

Survey of theoretical approaches to study of sex and gender. Classical, structural, neo-Freudian, Marxist feminist, and radical approaches. Topics include work, family, religion, and sexuality. Prerequisite(s): SOC SCI 1020 or SOC 1000 or ANTH 1002.

Electives: ……………………………………………9 hours

Must choose one course from the Social Sciences Category A, one course from the Humanities Category B, and one course from either A, B, or the Experiential Category C.

Category A: Social Sciences

EDPSYCH 5188: Current Approaches to Multicultural Education – 3 hours

Comparison of alternative models of multicultural education and study of their application in school settings.

FAM SERV 5145: Violence in Intimate Relationships – 3 hours

Exploration of theoretical models of violence in intimate and family relationships and examination of the impact of violence on secondary victims. Empirical and programmatic implications for prevention and intervention models are reviewed.

TEXDSGN 5015: Dress and Human Behavior – 3 hours

Textiles and apparel in relation to culture, society, and the individual. Survey and application of selected theories.

HPE 5328: Selected Topics in Women’s Health – 3 hours

In-depth development and exploration of selected themes and topics in women’s health. Focus on “hidden” health issues that disproportionately affect women and examination of health issues and prevention programs surrounding adolescent pregnancy, violence, substance abuse, and disordered eating through a feminist developmental perspective.

 HPE 5162: Introduction to Women’s Health – 3 hours

Survey of contemporary issues in women’s health providing a thorough understanding of women’s personal health status, needs, and resources; awareness of women’s health issues worldwide and the political, cultural, economic, and psychosocial factors which affect the health of women.

POL AMER 5142: Problems in Juvenile and Family Law – 3 hours

Aspects of juvenile and family law; how legislature and courts have developed juvenile and family law, including marriage and divorce, adoption, and competency of minors. Prerequisite(s): junior standing.

HISUS 5260: United States Women’s History – 3 hours

Survey of social, cultural, and economic roles of women in the United States from founding to present, with some comparative analysis of women’s roles in other areas of the world.

HISEUB 5690: Modern European Women’s History – 3 hours

Examination of the political, social, intellectual, and economic history of women and gender relations in Europe from the Enlightenment to the present. Attention to women’s rights movements and the social construction of gender.

SOC 5045*: Social Inequality – 3 hours

The nature, origins, and reproduction of social inequalities. Examines the distribution of resources across groups and the processes that create it. Covers class, race, gender, and sexuality, and their relationship to each other. Prerequisite(s): SOC 1000.

SOC 5071* Feminist Theories in Social Sciences – 3 hours

Survey of theoretical approaches to study of sex and gender. Classical, structural, neo-Freudian, Marxist feminist, and radical approaches. Topics include work, family, religion, and sexuality. Prerequisite(s): SOC SCI 1020 or SOC 1000 or ANTH 1002.

CRIM 5331* Women, Crime and Society – 3 hours

Sociological analysis of women as victims, offenders, practitioners, and professionals in the criminal justice system. Examination of changing perceptions and behaviors of women in United States and other countries in relation to role expectations of women in the  criminal justice system. Prerequisite(s): SOC 1000; CRIM 2022 or CRIM 2025.

Category B: Humanities

COMM 5447: Performance and Social Change – 3 hours

Study of creation and theory of interactive performances as a method to create dialog and promote civic engagement related to social justice issues.

 COMM 5446 Social Protest: Performance and Rhetoric – 3 hours

Study of rhetorical and performance texts in social protest, public awareness, identity formation, and rhetorical movements. Special attention to issues of race, sex and sexuality, age, and/or class.

COMM 5346 Gender Issues in Communication – 3 hours

Examination of construction and performance of gender identities through verbal and non-verbal communication. Critical analysis of biological, sociological, and patriarchal explanations for presumed gender differences in communication.

ENGLISH 5120* Images of Women in Literature – 3 hours

Images, symbols, and myths of women in literature; feminist criticism. Prerequisite(s): ENGLISH 2120 or consent of instructor.

ENGLISH 6120*: Feminist Literary Theories and Practice – 3 hours

Examination of how writers transform society’s beliefs about the nature and function of women in literary plots, images, and themes, and how, in turn, these influence society’s attitudes toward women. Emphasis on socio-historical approaches prevalent in the United States; attention to British political and French psychoanalytic critics. Prerequisite(s): ENGLISH 6100 or WGS 6289 or consent of instructor.

RELS 5150 Women and Christianity – 3 hours

Examination of history and function of gender in symbolization of Christian tradition; exploration of institutionalization of sex roles in Christianity; discussion of interaction between the Christian religion and cultural patterns that define the social role, status, and image of women. Interested students are encouraged to contact the instructor.

RELS 5170 Religion and Sexuality – 3 hours

Examination of ways in which religions shape and reflect ideas about the body and sexuality.

PHIL 6010: Critical Perspectives on Gender – 3 hours

Consideration of two traditions that have influenced feminist theories in the last two decades – poststructuralism and psychoanalysis. Readings in primary texts (e.g., Foucault, Derrida, Freud, and Lacan) and explorations of feminist elaborations and critiques of these texts revealing the tenacity, centrality, and power in human lives of a sense of gendered existence. Same as RELS 6010.

HUM 5160 Black Women in America: Challenge, Spirit, Survival – 3 hours

Investigation of major themes in lives of black women in America, utilizing scholarship from sociology, literature, cultural studies, and womanist theology. Challenges to fruitful existence and role of striving for self-representation direct the two major units of course.

WGS 6289: Graduate Seminar in Women’s and Gender Studies: Comparative Feminist Theories – 3 hours

Analysis of identities and oppressions from national and international feminist perspectives.

Category C: Experiential

WGS 5195: Internship in Women’s and Gender Studies – 1-3 hours

Experiential application of theory and scholarship. Responsibilities determined by faculty advisor, on-site supervisor, and student, according to organizational needs and career goals.

Practicum that has a gender focus and is advised by a WGS faculty member.

*These courses have additional prerequisites.