Luzerne County Community College

Standard Course Syllabus

 

 

Course Number: SSC1 03

Course Title: Introduction to Women's Studies

Department: History/Social Science

Credits: 3
Lecture hours:3
Laboratory hours:0
Clinical hours:0

Prerequisites: None

Corequisites: None

 

Course Description:

The course focuses on women's experiences, past and present, in the worlds of family, work, education, health, religion, the media and the legal system. Students explore and discuss women's choices and challenges in American society. Because women's contributions have often been ignored or dismissed, Introduction to Women's Studies highlights women's many and varied accomplishments.

 

Course Goals:

This course provides students the opportunity to:
  1. understand the roles and status of women in a gender-stratified society.
  2. explore explanations for the existence of sex/gender systems and gender socialization.
  3. learn how gender intersects with race, class, sexual orientation, age and culture.
  4. examine the historical basis and different emphasis of feminism.

 

Student Learning Objectives or Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

Goal 1:

  1. describe the roles and status of women within the institutions of
  2. family, education, religion, the media and the law.
  3. explain how gender-defining institutions affect women's choices.

Goal 2:

  1. analyze major theories for the existence of sex/gender systems.
  2. recognize major theories of gender socialization.

Goal 3:
  1. identify factors such as race, class, sexual orientation, age and culture that intersect with and may magnify gender-related issues.
  2. discuss women who have been able to overcome barriers created by race, class, etc.

Goal 4:
  1. define feminism and its different emphases.
  2. trace feminism historically and contemporaneously.

 

Sequence of Topics:
  1. Studying Women
  2. Social Construction of Gender
  3. Images of Gender
  4. Example: Florence Luscomb
  5. Sexuality and Intimate Relationships
  6. Work
  7. Families
  8. Health
  9. Religion
  10. Crime
  11. Politics
  12. Example: Ella Baker
  13. Feminist Theory
  14. Example: Jessie Lopez de la Cruz
  15. Women in the Future

 

Assessment and Grading

The following are acceptable assessment methods for this course:
  1. Quizzes and Examinations
  2. Journals related to reading/class discussions
  3. Papers
  4. Oral Reports
  5. Attendance and Participation

 

Reference, Resources, and Learning Materials

Suggested Texts:

Andersen, Margaret L. Thinking About Women. New York: Macmillan, 1997.

 

Cantarow, Ellen. Moving the Mountain. Old Westbury, N.Y.: Feminist Press,

1980.

 

Additional References:

Cochran, J.W., Langston, D., Woodward, C., Editors. Changing Our Power: An Introduction to Women's Studies, Second Edition. Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall-Hunt, 1991.

Doyle, J.A. and Paludi, M.A.Sex And Gender: The Human Experience, Second Edition. Dubuque, Iowa: Wm. C. Brown, 1991.

Hunter College Women's Studies Collective. Women's Realities, Women's Choices: An Introduction To Women's Studies. New York: Oxford, 1993.

Lips, H.M. Sex and Gender: An Introduction, Second Edition. Mountain View,CA: Mayfield, 1993.

Richmond-Abbott M. Masculine And Feminine: Gender Roles Over The Life Cvcle, Second . Edition. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1992.

Ruth, S. Issues In Feminism: An Introduction To Women's Studies, Second Edition. Mountain View, CA: Mayfield, 1990.

 

Required Equipment:

None


Computer Software:

None


Other Course Requirements:

None