The Anna Maria Samuel Project at Salem Academy and College to Present Two Events in September
September 2, 2021
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Women's Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Women's Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Women’s studies is an interdisciplinary program focusing on the role of gender in the development of individuals, societies, and cultures and on the construction of gender by societies and cultures. Emphasis is placed upon the intersection of gender with race, class, ethnicity, age, and sexuality and on issues of bias, inequality, and male privilege. Students in women’s studies are encouraged to think critically and analytically; to explore a variety of disciplinary approaches to the interpretation of human experience; to use their own gendered life experience while at the same time trying to see the world through others’ eyes; and to create bridges between the academic and the experiential.
Program Faculty
Helpful Links
Overview
Your Program
The overall major will be an interdisciplinary program focusing on the role of gender in the development of individuals, societies, and cultures and on the construction of gender by societies and cultures. Emphasis will be placed upon the intersection of gender with race, class, ethnicity, age, and sexuality and on issues of bias, inequality, and male privilege.
As a major in women’s studies, you must complete a four-course women’s studies core. Those courses are Intro to Women’s Studies, Feminist Theory, Women’s Activism and Advocacy, and a senior project. You must also complete one of two eight-course concentrations (feminist/gender studies or women’s advocacy).
– Feminist/gender studies concentration: Choose from courses such as Women Writers 1900-Present; Gender and Communication; History of Dance; Women and Music; Human Sexuality: Women in the Bible; internship.
– Women’s advocacy concentration: Choose from courses such as Rhetoric of Social Intervention; Organizational Planning/Evaluation; Making Change: Public Policy, Advocacy, and Grassroots Organizing; Communication Campaigns.
When you major in women’s studies you must complete a senior research project in which you use advanced theory to explore a topic of your choice. Recent topics have included female vampires, black sororities, resources for divorced women, female monasticism, and women’s roles in organized religion.
Your Faculty
Dr. Teresa Smith (sociology) is the coordinator of the women’s studies program. Among the other regular women’s studies faculty are Dr. Rebecca Dunn (biology), Dr. Jo Dulan (English), Dr. Janet Zehr (English), Dr. Traci Porter (biology) and Dr. Amy Rio (religion).
Faculty from many departments at Salem offer courses that will count towards your minor in women’s studies.
Your Results
The benefits of a women’s studies major or minor are many. Women’s studies provides you with all the benefits of a liberal arts degree, which emphasizes critical thinking, communication, and many other skills that can be applied to many careers. Also, it provides you with deeper insights into issues related to women — celebrating women’s achievements and appreciating women’s struggles against oppression.
While as a women’s studies major or minor you will look for the silenced voices of women in history, you will also add your own voice to discussions of such issues as sexual harassment, pay equity, violence against women, and children, the role of women in the arts, changing perspectives on gender and sexuality, and many more.
Women’s studies is not just about women; it is about the dynamics of gender. The fields of law, medicine, education, social work, and government service need expertise in gender issues. Increasingly, when you major in women’s studies you are in demand as a consultant to industry, education, and in the service sector.
Major/Minor
Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Minor
The Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies minor requires completion of six courses, of which no more than two may come from a single discipline, with the exception of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. At least three of the six courses must be taken at Salem.
Required Core Course:
WGSS 204: Introduction to Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (3 hrs)
Select five additional courses from the list below, at least two of which must be from two different disciplines outside of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
ARTH 180. Women and Art (3 hrs)
BIOL 070. Issues in Biology for Women (3 hrs)
COMM 223. Gender, Race, and Class in Media (3 hrs)
ENGL 325. Modern Writings from Women of the Non-Western World: Global Lit (3 hrs)
ENGL 349. Race, Culture and Identity in Multi-Ethnic Literature of the United States (3 hrs)
EXER 245. Women in Sports (3 hrs)
HIST 221. American Women’s History (3 hrs)
HIST 265. U.S. Constitutional and Legal History (3 hrs)
HIST 269. America in Our Time: 1945 to Present (3 hrs)
HIST 286. Modern Japan (3 hrs)
MUSI 105. Women and Music (3 hrs)
PSYC 110. Psychology of Women (3 hrs)
PSYC 160. Human Sexuality (3 hrs)
RELI 258. Women and Gender in Ancient Religions (3 hrs)
RELI 260. Feminist Studies in Religion (3 hrs)
SOCI 222. Women and Reproduction (3 hrs)
SOCI 230. Sociology of Gender (3 hrs)
SOCI 232. Marriage and the Family (3 hrs)
WGSS 200. Independent Study in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (3 hrs min.)
WGSS 210. Feminist Theory: Lenses and Methodologies (3 hrs)
WGSS 220. Special Topics in Women’s Studies (3 hrs min.)
WGSS 240. Women’s Activism and Advocacy (3 hrs)
WGSS 270. Internship in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (3 hrs min.)
WGSS 290. Honors Independent Study in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (3 hrs min.)
Courses
WMST 200. Independent Study in Women’s Studies (1-4 hrs)
Independent study under the guidance of a faculty advisor. Open to students with a 2.0 cumulative average and permission of the coordinator of the program. Independent study may take the form of readings, research, conference, or project. Independent study may be taken for a total of four courses, no more than two in any term.
WMST 204. Introduction in Women’s Studies (3 hrs)
An interdisciplinary course focusing on the life experiences of women from diverse backgrounds and on the theoretical frameworks which feminist thinkers have used to analyze and transform cultural, political, and scientific ideologies. Includes a brief overview of the history of the women’s movement. Emphasis on the interconnections among gender, race, class, and sexual orientation. (WS)
WMST 210. Feminist Theory: Lenses and Methodologies (3 hrs)
A study of the varieties of modern feminist theory, including Women’s Liberation; Marxist feminism; gynocentrism; the politics of difference; essentialism; theories of feminism related to lesbians, women of color, working class women; and global perspectives on women. Exploration of different models for using gender along with race, class, ethnicity, and sexuality, as lenses of analysis will facilitate the development of critical and analytical methodologies. WMST majors and minors will develop a theoretical basis and research methodology in preparation for the senior project. Prerequisite: WMST 204 or permission of instructor. (WS)
WMST 220. Special Topics in Women’s Studies (1-4 hrs)
An issue or problem in women’s studies will be studied intensively. The specific content and methods for study will be announced prior to the beginning of the course. (WS)
WMST 240. Women’s Activism and Advocacy (3 hrs)
Building on an exploration of the involvement of women in historical and contemporary social movements for human equality and social justice, this course emphasizes ways in which women conceptualize, strategize, implement, and assess social movements and organizations, particularly those whose goal is the betterment of women’s lives and opportunities. Prerequisite: WMST 204 or permission of instructor.
WMST 270. Internship in Women’s Studies (1-4 hrs)
An opportunity to use the knowledge and skills the student has learned in course work to solve problems in a real work setting; the apprenticeship aspect of the internship implies that the student has some base of knowledge and will increase her knowledge and skills by direct contact with an experienced, knowledgeable mentor. Open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a 2.0 cumulative average; maximum credit per term is one course; admission by application only.
WMST 290. Honors Independent Study in Women’s Studies (3-4 hrs)
Advanced independent study under the guidance of a faculty advisor. Open to juniors and seniors with a 3.5 cumulative G.P.A. and permission of the coordinator of the program. Honors Independent Study may be taken for a maximum of two courses.
WMST 380. Senior Thesis in Women’s Studies (3 hrs)
Advanced level investigation under the guidance of a faculty advisor, culminating in the completion of a major research paper using the lens of feminist theory. The topic must be related to the student’s concentration (Feminist Studies: Intersectionalities or Women’s Advocacy). Approval of the director of the women’s studies program is required before registration. Prerequisite: WMST 204, WMST 210 and senior status.
Success Stories
I didn’t choose women’s studies. Women’s studies chose me. I arrived at Salem as a zealous first-year with an incredibly wide range of academic interests. I took a variety of classes, changed my intended major twice, and created three different four-year plans with the help of my incredible advisor, Dr. Jo Dulan. The nature of women’s studies is not confined to one realm of study in part because women are not confined. Therefore, professors from a multitude of departments participate in the WMST department at Salem College, allowing for a wonderful and interdisciplinary education.
Emily Scott-Cruz
Major:
Women’s studies, minor in music
Class Year:
2016
Hometown:
Hendersonville, NC
Internship:
NC League of Conservation Voters
Career:
Assistant editor at Chiron Publications
Your Program
The overall major will be an interdisciplinary program focusing on the role of gender in the development of individuals, societies, and cultures and on the construction of gender by societies and cultures. Emphasis will be placed upon the intersection of gender with race, class, ethnicity, age, and sexuality and on issues of bias, inequality, and male privilege.
As a major in women’s studies, you must complete a four-course women’s studies core. Those courses are Intro to Women’s Studies, Feminist Theory, Women’s Activism and Advocacy, and a senior project. You must also complete one of two eight-course concentrations (feminist/gender studies or women’s advocacy).
– Feminist/gender studies concentration: Choose from courses such as Women Writers 1900-Present; Gender and Communication; History of Dance; Women and Music; Human Sexuality: Women in the Bible; internship.
– Women’s advocacy concentration: Choose from courses such as Rhetoric of Social Intervention; Organizational Planning/Evaluation; Making Change: Public Policy, Advocacy, and Grassroots Organizing; Communication Campaigns.
When you major in women’s studies you must complete a senior research project in which you use advanced theory to explore a topic of your choice. Recent topics have included female vampires, black sororities, resources for divorced women, female monasticism, and women’s roles in organized religion.
Your Faculty
Dr. Teresa Smith (sociology) is the coordinator of the women’s studies program. Among the other regular women’s studies faculty are Dr. Rebecca Dunn (biology), Dr. Jo Dulan (English), Dr. Janet Zehr (English), Dr. Traci Porter (biology) and Dr. Amy Rio (religion).
Faculty from many departments at Salem offer courses that will count towards your minor in women’s studies.
Your Results
The benefits of a women’s studies major or minor are many. Women’s studies provides you with all the benefits of a liberal arts degree, which emphasizes critical thinking, communication, and many other skills that can be applied to many careers. Also, it provides you with deeper insights into issues related to women — celebrating women’s achievements and appreciating women’s struggles against oppression.
While as a women’s studies major or minor you will look for the silenced voices of women in history, you will also add your own voice to discussions of such issues as sexual harassment, pay equity, violence against women, and children, the role of women in the arts, changing perspectives on gender and sexuality, and many more.
Women’s studies is not just about women; it is about the dynamics of gender. The fields of law, medicine, education, social work, and government service need expertise in gender issues. Increasingly, when you major in women’s studies you are in demand as a consultant to industry, education, and in the service sector.
Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Minor
The Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies minor requires completion of six courses, of which no more than two may come from a single discipline, with the exception of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. At least three of the six courses must be taken at Salem.
Required Core Course:
WGSS 204: Introduction to Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (3 hrs)
Select five additional courses from the list below, at least two of which must be from two different disciplines outside of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
ARTH 180. Women and Art (3 hrs)
BIOL 070. Issues in Biology for Women (3 hrs)
COMM 223. Gender, Race, and Class in Media (3 hrs)
ENGL 325. Modern Writings from Women of the Non-Western World: Global Lit (3 hrs)
ENGL 349. Race, Culture and Identity in Multi-Ethnic Literature of the United States (3 hrs)
EXER 245. Women in Sports (3 hrs)
HIST 221. American Women’s History (3 hrs)
HIST 265. U.S. Constitutional and Legal History (3 hrs)
HIST 269. America in Our Time: 1945 to Present (3 hrs)
HIST 286. Modern Japan (3 hrs)
MUSI 105. Women and Music (3 hrs)
PSYC 110. Psychology of Women (3 hrs)
PSYC 160. Human Sexuality (3 hrs)
RELI 258. Women and Gender in Ancient Religions (3 hrs)
RELI 260. Feminist Studies in Religion (3 hrs)
SOCI 222. Women and Reproduction (3 hrs)
SOCI 230. Sociology of Gender (3 hrs)
SOCI 232. Marriage and the Family (3 hrs)
WGSS 200. Independent Study in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (3 hrs min.)
WGSS 210. Feminist Theory: Lenses and Methodologies (3 hrs)
WGSS 220. Special Topics in Women’s Studies (3 hrs min.)
WGSS 240. Women’s Activism and Advocacy (3 hrs)
WGSS 270. Internship in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (3 hrs min.)
WGSS 290. Honors Independent Study in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (3 hrs min.)
WMST 200. Independent Study in Women’s Studies (1-4 hrs)
Independent study under the guidance of a faculty advisor. Open to students with a 2.0 cumulative average and permission of the coordinator of the program. Independent study may take the form of readings, research, conference, or project. Independent study may be taken for a total of four courses, no more than two in any term.
WMST 204. Introduction in Women’s Studies (3 hrs)
An interdisciplinary course focusing on the life experiences of women from diverse backgrounds and on the theoretical frameworks which feminist thinkers have used to analyze and transform cultural, political, and scientific ideologies. Includes a brief overview of the history of the women’s movement. Emphasis on the interconnections among gender, race, class, and sexual orientation. (WS)
WMST 210. Feminist Theory: Lenses and Methodologies (3 hrs)
A study of the varieties of modern feminist theory, including Women’s Liberation; Marxist feminism; gynocentrism; the politics of difference; essentialism; theories of feminism related to lesbians, women of color, working class women; and global perspectives on women. Exploration of different models for using gender along with race, class, ethnicity, and sexuality, as lenses of analysis will facilitate the development of critical and analytical methodologies. WMST majors and minors will develop a theoretical basis and research methodology in preparation for the senior project. Prerequisite: WMST 204 or permission of instructor. (WS)
WMST 220. Special Topics in Women’s Studies (1-4 hrs)
An issue or problem in women’s studies will be studied intensively. The specific content and methods for study will be announced prior to the beginning of the course. (WS)
WMST 240. Women’s Activism and Advocacy (3 hrs)
Building on an exploration of the involvement of women in historical and contemporary social movements for human equality and social justice, this course emphasizes ways in which women conceptualize, strategize, implement, and assess social movements and organizations, particularly those whose goal is the betterment of women’s lives and opportunities. Prerequisite: WMST 204 or permission of instructor.
WMST 270. Internship in Women’s Studies (1-4 hrs)
An opportunity to use the knowledge and skills the student has learned in course work to solve problems in a real work setting; the apprenticeship aspect of the internship implies that the student has some base of knowledge and will increase her knowledge and skills by direct contact with an experienced, knowledgeable mentor. Open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a 2.0 cumulative average; maximum credit per term is one course; admission by application only.
WMST 290. Honors Independent Study in Women’s Studies (3-4 hrs)
Advanced independent study under the guidance of a faculty advisor. Open to juniors and seniors with a 3.5 cumulative G.P.A. and permission of the coordinator of the program. Honors Independent Study may be taken for a maximum of two courses.
WMST 380. Senior Thesis in Women’s Studies (3 hrs)
Advanced level investigation under the guidance of a faculty advisor, culminating in the completion of a major research paper using the lens of feminist theory. The topic must be related to the student’s concentration (Feminist Studies: Intersectionalities or Women’s Advocacy). Approval of the director of the women’s studies program is required before registration. Prerequisite: WMST 204, WMST 210 and senior status.
I didn’t choose women’s studies. Women’s studies chose me. I arrived at Salem as a zealous first-year with an incredibly wide range of academic interests. I took a variety of classes, changed my intended major twice, and created three different four-year plans with the help of my incredible advisor, Dr. Jo Dulan. The nature of women’s studies is not confined to one realm of study in part because women are not confined. Therefore, professors from a multitude of departments participate in the WMST department at Salem College, allowing for a wonderful and interdisciplinary education.
Emily Scott-Cruz
Major:
Women’s studies, minor in music
Class Year:
2016
Hometown:
Hendersonville, NC
Internship:
NC League of Conservation Voters
Career:
Assistant editor at Chiron Publications