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Women and Gender Studies

Overview Degrees/Certificates Courses Faculty

Women and Gender Studies (WGS) Courses

WGS 300 Introduction to Women and Gender Studies

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Advisory:ENGWR 300 or ESLW 340 with a grade of "C" or better
  • Transferable:CSU (Formerly approved for SOCSC 350.); UC (Approved for SOCSC 350 previously.)
  • General Education:AA/AS Area V(b); AA/AS Area III(b); CSU Area D; IGETC Area 4
  • C-ID:C-ID SJS 120
  • Catalog Date:January 1, 2025

This course provides an interdisciplinary approach to introducing Women and Gender Studies and key theories, concepts, and issues of the field. The course will examine gender inequality from an intersectional perspective, emphasizing the interrelated circumstances that influence women’s status in popular culture, in the workforce, in the arts, before the law, in the family, and in other social, political, and economic realms of society. Students will strive to understand women’s diverse histories and experiences, while at the same time seeking to understand how their own histories have shaped who they are and how they view the world. Employing gender as a central category of analysis, the course will be inclusive of issues of oppression based on gender expression and sexuality. This course is inclusive of human rights related to sexual orientation and gender identity/LGBTQIA+ identities. Each student writes a minimum of 3,000 words.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • identify and illustrate how the intersectional effects of sex, gender, race, class, sexuality, age, ethnicity, ability, and other complex aspects of identity influence social structures and women's empowerment.
  • analyze the diversity of gendered experiences and apply feminist approaches to understanding social structures and cultural pressures related to gender inequality.
  • examine how sex, gender, race, class, sexuality, age, ethnicity, ability, and other complex aspects of identity affect one's status and self-concept, and use this knowledge to question events and situations occurring in everyday life.
  • assess how women's opportunities and achievements are constrained by systems of oppression and privilege.
  • recognize, critically analyze, and choose paths of action for social change.
  • describe and define feminism and the field of Women and Gender Studies.

WGS 302 Global Women's Issues

  • Same As:SOC 345
  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Advisory:ENGWR 300 or ESLW 340; and LIBR 318 with grades of "C" or better.
  • Transferable:CSU (Formerly approved for SOCSC 352); UC (Formerly approved for SOCSC 352)
  • General Education:AA/AS Area V(b); CSU Area D; IGETC Area 4
  • Catalog Date:January 1, 2025

The course will consider the conditions of women’s lives from the perspectives of global and transnational feminism, examining issues such as immigration, girls’ education, maternal health, globalization, economics, war and conflict, gender-based violence, and political activism. Students will seek to understand women’s lives by connecting global data about the status of women to material consequences for individual women and local communities. Using gender as a theoretical category of analysis, the course will explore how gender inequality and oppression create disproportionate suffering and lack of opportunities for women and girls. Students will learn to ask critical questions about the complex and intersecting aspects of the oppression of women, as well as develop an understanding of the culturally situated, creative, and heroic ways women are standing up to gender oppression and shaping change within their local communities and nations. The study of women in the global context is inclusive of human rights related to sexual orientation and gender identity. Credit may be awarded for either WGS 302 or SOC 345 but not for both.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • analyze key issues affecting women through a transnational feminist perspective, including immigration, education, maternal health, globalization, economics, war and conflict, gender-based violence, and political activism.
  • comprehend the value of locally-generated social change arising from and working within the culture of local communities.
  • explain the ways that women throughout the world are resisting gender oppression and organizing to reshape their own communities.
  • critically assess media representation to seek an understanding of historical and cultural complexities that are embedded in global women’s issues.
  • recognize key women activists who have received global recognition for their contributions.
  • apply knowledge as an emerging global citizen by considering options for contributing to positive change.

WGS 304 Women, Globalization, and Human Rights

  • Same As:SOC 347
  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Advisory:ENGWR 300 or ESLW 340; and LIBR 318 with grades of "C" or better.
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • General Education:AA/AS Area V(b); CSU Area D; IGETC Area 4
  • Catalog Date:January 1, 2025

Through global and transnational feminist perspectives, this course provides an overview of human rights ideas and frameworks, including the history and ongoing implementation of United Nations conventions, treaties, and campaigns concerning women. The course will consider the complex and gendered social, economic, and political impacts of globalization on women and girls around the world. Students will learn to critically engage with theories, approaches, and representation related to improving the lives of women in the global context and will learn about key human rights defenders who are recognized for their activism. The study of women in the global context is inclusive of human rights related to sexual orientation and gender identity. Students will consider their own place in a globalized world and utilize course knowledge to think about their role in creating justice in the world. Credit may be awarded for either WGS 304 or SOC 347 but not for both.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • describe human rights ideas and frameworks, including the history and implementation of United Nations conventions and treaties concerning women.
  • analyze the complex and gendered social, economic, and political aspects of globalization that disproportionately disadvantage and impact women in various locations around the world.
  • identify various feminist and social science theories and approaches to improving the lives of women globally, including human rights, global and transnational feminisms, gender in development, grassroots organizing, and global campaigns.
  • critically assess discourses related to women in the global context, including images and messages in the media, approaches and representations utilized by nongovernmental organizations, and language and methods within the United Nations human rights domain.
  • recognize key women’s human rights defenders who have made important contributions to furthering the rights of women and girls.
  • identify options, as a globally-informed citizen, for involvement in positive social change.

WGS 499 Experimental Offering in Women and Gender Studies

  • Units:0.5 - 4
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Catalog Date:January 1, 2025

This is the experimental courses description.