Women's and Gender Studies

Women’s and Gender Studies focuses on issues of identity and systems of power, through reflection on personal, social and historical realities.

Specifically, women’s and gender studies connects theory to self-awareness and social responsibility. Whereas historically, the voices of women and other minorities (including feminist men) have been muted, women’s and gender studies puts these voices at the center of the curriculum.

WGS Sample ELECTIVE COURSES:

Examples of Arts and Humanities that have counted towards a Women’s and Gender Studies major/minor:

  • Christian Feminism
  • U.S. Cultural History: Ideas of Race, Class and Gender
  • Women in Early Modern Europe
  • 19th and 20th Century British Women Writers
  • Sexual Ethics
  • 20th Century Dance History
  • Women, Art and Society in 18th and 19th Century France

Examples of Social Sciences courses that have counted towards a Women’s and Gender Studies major/minor:

  • Gender, Conflict and Peace
  • Sociology of Gender
  • Sociology of Popular Culture
  • Psychology of Gender
  • Human Sexuality
  • Intergroup Dialogue
  • Social Work and the Family

Majors

Women's And Gender Studies

The women’s and gender studies major consists of 32 credits. All students must take 16 credits of core courses:

  • WGS 160 – Women in a Global Society
  • WGS 200 – Introduction to Women’s and Gender Studies
  • WGS 350 – Feminist Visions of Justice: Feminist Theory and Methodology
  • WGS 494 – Keystone Seminar

The remaining 16 credits are to be a balance of electives from Arts & Humanities and Social Sciences (at least one course from each division), which must be chosen in consultation with the WGS director.

Minors

Women's And Gender Studies

The women’s and gender studies minor consists of 20 credits. All students take WGS 200 – Introduction to Women’s and Gender Studies and choose two out of the three following core courses:

  • WGS 160 – Women in a Global Society
  • WGS 350 – Feminist Visions of Justice: Theory and Methodology
  • WGS 494 – Keystone Seminar

The remaining 8 credits are to be a balance of electives from Arts & Humanities and Social Sciences (at least one course from each division), which must be chosen in consultation with the WGS director.

Women's and Gender Studies

160. Women in a Global Society — This course seeks to investigate the broad spectrum of women’s movements that thrive across the developing world. Particular emphasis is on globalization and development as well as women’s interaction with neo-liberal economics. Third World feminist and womanist theories will be examined. Students will also encounter the impact that culture and politics play on women in the developing world. Cross-listed with Pol 160.
4 Credits | Once a Year | Global Learning International (GLI), Social Science 1 (SS1)

195. Women's & Gender Studies Topic — A course offered in response to student and instructor interest. Topics are not generally covered in the regular course listings. Course may be taken multiple times if topics are different.
1-4 Credits | As Needed

200. Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies — In this course, students will explore and assess their own assumptions about gender, and examine the effects of sexism on all people. We will study historical and contemporary texts by diverse authors. At the heart of feminist pedagogy, students are encouraged to teach and learn from one another. Students will be challenged to grow and support communal growth in shaping a world free of power-divisions based on gender, race, class, citizenship, and country of origin.
4 Credits | Fall, Spring | Global Learning Domestic (GLD)

295. Special Studies — A course offered in response to student and instructor interest. Topics are not generally covered in the regular course listings. Course may be taken multiple times if topics are different.
2-4 Credits | As Needed

350. Feminist Visions of Justice: Theory and Methodology — This course looks at feminist visions of justice, including ideas that impact students’ lives, the larger communities in which we live, as well as in the world. Students examine their own theories and study those of feminist scholars, practitioners and activists. Emphasis is placed on contemporary issues and practices.
4 Credits | Fall | Global Learning Domestic (GLD), Social Science 2 (SS2)

395. Special Studies — A course offered in response to student and instructor interest. Topics are not generally covered in the regular course listings. Course may be taken multiple times if topics are different.
1-4 Credits | As Needed

490. Independent Projects — An in-depth independent study of women’s and gender issues or other topics analyzed from a feminist perspective or a project designed to bring about systemic change.
1-4 Credits | As Needed

494. Keystone Seminar — A course designed to examine feminist perspectives in practice and support projects on women’s and gender issues.
4 Credits | Spring

496. Internship Program in Women's and Gender Studies — An internship in women's and gender studies with the Philadelphia Center, Washington Semester, Chicago Semester, or a placement in West Michigan approved by the director of women's and gender studies. Placement is coupled with a feminist analysis of the internship site and the student’s experience.
1-4 Credits | As Needed

  • André, Dr. MaríaHope CollegeModern and Classical Languages DepartmentWomen's and Gender Studies

    Martha Miller Center -Room 220 257 Columbia Avenue Holland, MI 49423-3615

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  • Beard, Dr. VirginiaHope CollegePolitical ScienceWomen's and Gender Studies

    Lubbers Hall-Room 207 126 East 10th Street Holland, MI 49423-3516

    Work616.395.7544

  • Bredow, Dr. CarrieHope CollegePsychology DepartmentWomen's and Gender Studies

    Schaap Science Center 1163 35 East 12th Street Holland, MI 49423-3605

    Work616.395.7254

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  • Dandavati, Dr. AnnieHope CollegePolitical ScienceWomen's and Gender StudiesAsian StudiesInternational Studies

    Lubbers Hall-Room 205 126 East 10th Street Holland, MI 49423-3516

    Work616.395.7545

  • Farmer, MatthewHope CollegeDance DepartmentWomen's and Gender Studies

    Dow Center 168 East 13th Street Holland, MI 49423-3624

    Work616.395.7089

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  • Japinga, Rev. Dr. LynnHope CollegeReligion DepartmentWomen's and Gender Studies

    Lubbers Hall-Room 104 126 East 10th Street Holland, MI 49423-3516

    Work616.395.7753

  • Kornfield, Dr. SarahHope CollegeCommunication DepartmentWomen's and Gender StudiesGeneral Education

    Martha Miller Center 257 Columbia Avenue Holland, MI 49423

    Work616.395.7596

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  • Kraus, Dr. HeidiHope CollegeArt and Art History DepartmentWomen's and Gender Studies

    De Pree Art Center 275 Columbia Avenue Holland, MI 49423-3654

    Work616.395.7276

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  • Parker, Dr. Kendra R.Hope CollegeEnglish DepartmentWomen's and Gender Studies

    Lubbers Hall-Room 317 126 East 10th Street Holland, MI 49423-3698

    Work616.395.7024

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  • Petit, Dr. JeanneHope CollegeHistory DepartmentWomen's and Gender Studies

    Lubbers Hall-Room 324 126 East 10th Street Holland, MI 49423-3516

    Work616.395.7588

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  • Swanson, Dr. DebraHope CollegeSociology and Social Work DepartmentWomen's and Gender Studies

    VanZoeren 255A 41 Graves Place Holland, MI 49423-3617

    Work616.395.7951

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Hope CollegeWomen's and Gender Studies

Lubbers Hall126 East 10th StreetRoom 323Holland, MI 49423

workP. 616-395-7724