Faculty

Lynn H. Fujiwara, assistant professor (women of color; labor, family, citizenship, and welfare; third-world feminist theory). B.A., 1990, California, San Diego; M.A., 1993, Ph.D., 1999, California, Santa Cruz. (2000)

Ernesto J. Martínez, assistant professor (comparative ethnic literature; U.S. Latino literature; literary theory). B.A., 1998, Stanford; M.A., 2003, Ph.D., 2005, Cornell. (2006)

Judith Raiskin, associate professor (postcolonial literature, feminist theory, sexuality). B.A., 1979, California, Berkeley; M.A., 1981, Chicago; Ph.D., 1989, Stanford. (1995)

Elizabeth Reis, associate professor (U.S. women’s history, history of sexuality, women and religion). A.B., 1980, Smith; M.A., 1982, Brown; Ph.D., 1991, California, Berkeley. (2002)

Ellen K. Scott, associate professor (intersections of race, class and gender, U.S. poverty and welfare policy). See Sociology.

Emerita

Barbara Corrado Pope, professor emerita. B.A., 1964, Hiram; M.A., 1966, Iowa; Ph.D., 1981, Columbia. (1976)

The date in parentheses at the end of each entry is the first year on the University of Oregon faculty.

Participating

Joan R. Acker, sociology

Barbara Bader Aldave, law

Henry M. Alley, honors college

Laura J. Alpert, art

Barbara K. Altmann, Romance languages

Susan C. Anderson, German and Scandinavian

Ina Asim, history

Regina M. Baker, polical science

Monique Balbuena, honors college

Judith R. Baskin, Judaic studies

Diane B. Baxter, anthropology

Aletta Biersack, anthropology

Pamela Birrell, psychology

Louise M. Bishop, honors college

Elizabeth A. Bohls, English

P. Lowell Bowditch, classics

Yvonne A. Braun, sociology

Sara N. Brownmiller, library

Gaylene Carpenter, arts and administration

Krista Chronister, counseling psychology and human services

Suzanne Clark, English

Frances B. Cogan, honors college

Jane K. Cramer, political science

Dianne M. Dugaw, English

Maram Epstein, East Asian languages and literatures

Linda F. Ettinger, arts and administration

Laura Fair, history

Leonard C. Feldman, political science

Caroline Forell, law

Linda M. Forrest, counseling psychology and human services

Lisa Freinkel, English

Jennifer J. Freyd, psychology

Linda O. Fuller, sociology

Susan N. Gary, law

Amalia Gladhart, Romance languages

Marion Sherman Goldman, sociology

Bryna Goodman, history

Sangita Gopal, English

Deborah A. Green, Judaic studies

Susan W. Hardwick, geography

Leslie J. Harris, law

Elke Hechner, German and Scandinavian

Ellen Herman, history

Judith H. Hibbard, planning, public policy and management

Jocelyn Hollander, sociology

Shari M. Huhndorf, English

Adria Imada, ethnic studies

Mary K. Jaeger, classics

Lamia Karim, anthropology

Kathleen Rowe Karlyn, English

Lauren J. Kessler, journalism and communication

Linda Kintz, English

Brian Klopotek, ethnic studies

Wendy Larson, East Asian languages and literatures

C. Anne Laskaya, English

Julia Lesage, English

David Leiwei Li, English

Joseph E. Lowndes, political science

John T. Lysaker, philosophy

Bonnie Mann, philosophy

Gabriela Martinez, journalism and communication

Barbara D. May, Romance languages

Randall E. McGowen, history

Anne Dhu McLucas, music

Karen McPherson, Romance languages

Debra L. Merskin, journalism and communication

Dayo Nicole Mitchell, honors college

Fabienne Moore, Romance languages

Geraldine Moreno Black, anthropology

Madonna L. Moss, anthropology

Lise Nelson, geography

Dorothee Ostmeier, German and Scandinavian

Peggy Pascoe, history

Amanda W. Powell, Romance languages

Scott L. Pratt, philosophy

Roxann Prazniak, honors college

Jenifer Presto, comparative literature

F. Regina Psaki, Romance languages

Forest Pyle, English

Ellen Rees, German and Scandinavian

Mary K. Rothbart, psychology

Suzanne E. Rowe, law

Tze-Lan Sang, East Asian languages and literatures

Karla L. Schultz, German and Scandinavian

Ellen K. Scott, sociology

Stephen J. Shoemaker, religious studies

Nancy E. Shurtz, law

Carol T. Silverman, anthropology

Anne D. Simons, psychology

Priscilla Southwell, political science

Helen Southworth, honors college

Beata Stawarska, philosophy

H. Leslie Steeves, journalism and communication

Lynn Stephen, anthropology

Alexandra Stotts, women’s and gender studies

Analisa Taylor, Romance languages

Nadia Telsey, women’s and gender studies

Cynthia H. Tolentino, English

Mia Tuan, sociology

Mark T. Unno, religious studies

Dominick R. Vetri, law

Merle H. Weiner, law

Anita M. Weiss, international studies

Louise Westling, English

Elizabeth A. Wheeler, English

Frances J. White, anthropology

Lisa Wolverton, history

Mary E. Wood, English

Stephanie Wood, Center for the Study of Women in Society

Priscilla Yamin, Center for the Study of Women in Society

Naomi Zack, philosophy

Virpi Zuck, German and Scandinavian

Undergraduate Studies [back to top]

The Women’s and Gender Studies Program offers students an opportunity to learn about the past and present achievements and experiences of women and to understand more clearly the decisive role that gender has played and continues to play in human societies.

The program is administered by a committee of faculty members and students appointed by the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. The program is interdisciplinary, and courses are taught in many areas of study: anthropology, architecture, arts and administration, education, English, history, international studies, journalism, literature, philosophy, public policy and management, political science, psychology, and sociology among others.

Any student may take women’s and gender studies courses. Some students take a few courses to complement the curriculum in another major. Others choose to fulfill the requirements for a major or minor in women’s and gender studies.

Many women’s and gender studies courses satisfy group and multicultural requirements. For more information, see Group Requirements and ­Multicultural Requirement in the Registration and Academic Policies section of this catalog.

Preparation. No specific high school preparation is necessary. Students who transfer to the university from other colleges may apply up to 8 credits of women’s and gender studies courses to the major or minor program.

Careers. An understanding of gender and of women’s experiences, abilities, and needs is an asset to careers in such fields as education, social service, government, business, law, medicine, the ministry, journalism, counseling, and childcare. In addition, a background in women’s and gender studies can be used as a basis for entering a growing number of graduate programs that emphasize the study of women or gender.

Major Requirements

The Women’s and Gender Studies Program offers an undergraduate major leading to a bachelor of arts (B.A.) or bachelor of science (B.S.) degree. Students may major in women’s and gender studies alone or as one of two or more majors. Majors must construct their programs in consultation with women’s and gender studies advisers.

For double majors, a total of 48 credits are required, distributed as follows:

Students whose sole major is women’s and gender studies must complete the following additional requirement for a total of 72 credits:

Courses used to satisfy major requirements must be taken for letter grades except for Special Studies: Self-Defense for Women (WGS 399), Thesis (WGS 403), Reading and Conference (WGS 405), Field Studies (WGS 406), Practicum (WGS 409), and Feminist Pedagogy (WGS 413); no more than 13 credits taken pass/no pass in these courses may be counted toward the major. At least 32 credits must be in upper-division courses.

At least 24 upper-division credits must be taken at the University of Oregon. Women’s and gender studies majors must attain a grade point average of 2.50 or higher in courses applied to the major; graded courses in the major must be completed with grades of C- or higher.

Honors in Women’s and Gender Studies

To graduate with honors in women’s and gender studies, a student must (1) have an overall grade point average for UO and transfer credits of at least 3.50 through the winter term prior to graduation; (2) gain approval for a research proposal from the program director during fall term of the academic year in which the thesis is completed; (3) successfully complete Reading and Conference (WGS 405) for thesis research during the academic year in which it is completed; and (4) register for a minimum of 4 credits in Thesis (WGS 403). The thesis must be completed and approved by the adviser and a second reader, chosen from the WGS faculty by the student, by Monday of the fifth week of the term in which the student intends to graduate with honors. The student’s performance on the thesis and on courses taken during the senior year will be reviewed before the honors distinction is granted. Obtain complete instructions and required forms from the women’s and gender studies office.

Minor Requirements

The minor in women’s and gender studies requires 24 credits including at least 12 credits in WGS courses and at least 8 credits chosen from approved upper-division courses offered by other departments. The remaining 4 credits may be in either women’s and gender studies or approved upper-division courses. Women, Difference, and Power (WGS 101) is required, and candidates for the minor are strongly urged to take History and Development of Feminist Theory (WGS 315). No more than 6 credits in Reading and Conference (WGS 405) and Practicum (WGS 409) may be counted toward the minor. No more than 8 credits may be taken pass/no pass. Graded courses in the minor must be completed with grades of C- or higher. Courses applied to another major may not count for the women’s and gender studies minor. At least 16 credits applied to the women’s and gender studies minor must be taken at the University of Oregon.

Students must apply for the minor in the women’s and gender studies office well in advance of graduation for transcript evaluation. In order to be eligible for the minor, students must complete all degree requirements and a major in another academic department.

Graduate Studies [back to top]

The graduate certificate in women’s and gender studies requires 24 credits in courses approved by the Women’s and Gender Studies Committee. At least 12 of these credits must be in core courses in the Women’s and Gender Studies Program. No more than 4 credits in Reading and Conference (WGS 605) and Practicum (WGS 609) can be applied to the certificate. At least 8 credits must be taken in approved graduate courses offered in other departments. No more than 8 credits may be taken pass/no pass without specific approval. Students who have not taken Women, Difference, and Power (WGS 101) or its equivalent must enroll in either Practicum (WGS 609) to facilitate a discussion group for WGS 101 or in a feminist pedagogy alternative.

A student who is unconditionally admitted to the Graduate School may earn a women’s and gender studies certificate as an unclassified graduate student, as a complement to an individually designed interdisciplinary master’s degree with a focus on women’s and gender studies, or as an enhancement to a degree in another discipline. For more information see the Graduate School section of this catalog.

Applicants should arrange an appointment with the program director.

Women’s and Gender Studies Courses (WGS)
[back to top]

101 Women, Difference, and Power (4) Interdisciplinary examination of the diverse experiences, status, and contributions of women in the United States. Topics include social construction of gender, race, sexualities, work, class, violence, and health.

198 Colloquium: [Topic] (1–2R)

199 Special Studies: [Topic] (1–5R)

315 History and Development of Feminist Theory (4) Feminist theory from the Enlightenment through the Second Wave, with special emphasis on the diverse theories of the 1960s to the present. Prereq: WGS 101.

321 Feminist Perspectives: Identity, Race, Culture (4) Examines intersections of race and ethnicity, class, sexuality, and gender in the history and lives of United States women of color. Explores definitions of community, culture, and identity. Prereq: one WGS course or ES 101 or 102. Fujiwara.

331 Science, Technology, and Gender (4) Topics include the role of gender in the practice of science and the impact of sexism and racism on the development of science and technology. Prereq: WGS 101 or equivalent.

341 Women, Work, and Class (4) Explores contexts and cultural attitudes shaping the women’s market and domestic labor including race, sexuality, age, and class as well as occupational segregation and control. Fujiwara.

352 Women’s Literature, Art, and Society (4) Interdisciplinary examination of women’s literary, artistic, and intellectual contributions to women’s culture and to dominant cultures. Focuses primarily on 19th and 20th centuries.

399 Special Studies: [Topic] (1–5R)

401 Research: [Topic] (1–16R)

403 Thesis (1–12R) R with program director’s and thesis adviser’s consent for maximum of 12 credits.

405 Reading and Conference: [Topic] (1–5R)

406 Field Studies: [Topic] (1–12R) R with program director’s consent for maximum of 12 credits.

407/507 Seminar: [Topic] (1–5R) A current topic is Feminist Research Issues. R when topic changes. Fujiwara, Reis.

408/508 Workshop: [Topic] (1–16R)

409 Practicum: [Topic] (1–5R)

410/510 Experimental Course: [Topic] (1–4R)

411/511 Feminist Praxis (4) Combined internship and seminar explores the history and politics of community agencies and the relationship of feminist theory to practice. Prereq: any WGS or other approved course. Fujiwara, Raiskin.

413/513 Feminist Pedagogy (1) Surveys strategies for facilitating discussions in women’s and gender studies classes and the special problems of teaching about gender, race, and sexuality. Prereq: one WGS course or equivalent.

415/515 Advanced Feminist Theory: [Topic] (4R) Topics address contemporary issues include queer theory, sexualities and genders, feminism and race, and global feminist theory. Prereq: one upper-division WGS course. R twice for a maximum of 12 credits.

421/521 Sexuality: [Topic] (4R) Topics include the history of sexuality, the social construction of sexuality, regulations concerning marital sex, homosexuality, commercial sex, birth control, and sexual culture. Prereq: WGS 101. R twice when topic changes for maximum of 12 credits.

422/522 Lesbian and Gay Studies: [Topic] (4R) Various topics in lesbian and gay studies, including the relationship between gender and sexuality and between lesbian-gay studies and women’s and gender studies. Prereq: WGS 101. R twice when topic changes for maximum of 12 credits.

431/531 Global Feminisms (4) Surveys political, economic, and cultural strategies of women around the world with attention to feminist theory outside the United States. Prereq: WGS 101.

601 Research: [Topic] (1–16R)

602 Supervised College Teaching (1–16R)

605 Reading and Conference: [Topic] (1–5R)

607 Seminar: [Topic] (1–5R)

608 Workshop: [Topic] (1–16R)

609 Practicum: [Topic] (1–5R)

610 Experimental Course: [Topic] (1–4R)

Approved Courses in Other Departments

See descriptions under named departments. Other courses may qualify; inquire at the Women’s and Gender Studies Program office.

Anthropology. Gender in Cross-Cultural Perspective (ANTH 314), Gender, Folklore, Inequality (ANTH 315), Anthropology of Gender (ANTH 421/521), Feminism and Ethnography (ANTH 439/539)

Classics. Gender and Sexuality in Antiquity (CLAS 314)

East Asian Languages and Literatures: Chinese. Gender and Sexuality in Traditional Chinese Literature (CHN 350)

English. Women Writers’ Cultures (ENG 315), Women Writers’ Forms (ENG 316), Film Directors and Genres: Women and Melodrama, Women Filmmakers (ENG 490/590), Feminist Film Criticism (ENG 496/596), Feminist Literary Theory (ENG 497/597), Studies in Women and Literature (ENG 498/598)

Ethnic Studies. Women of Color: Issues and Concerns (ES 330)

German and Scandinavian. Scandinavian Women Writers (SCAN 353)

History. History of Women in the United States I,II (HIST 308, 309), Early Modern Women (HIST 310), African Women’s History (HIST 416/516)

International Studies. Gender and International Development (INTL 421/521)

Journalism and Communication. Women, Minorities, and Media (J 320)

Political Science. Women and Politics (PS 348)

Sociology. Sociology of Women (SOC 355), Issues in Sociology of Gender (SOC 455/555), Feminist Theory (SOC 456/556), Sex and Society (SOC 457/557)