WMS 101

Introduction to Women's Studies

Should you take this course???  

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Welcome

This course…

• explores issues in the lives of American women;
• examines women’s experiences in gender-defining social institutions including the arts, education, the labor force, law and politics, marriage and family life and religion;
• analyzes, from a multicultural perspective, how issues of gender, power and equity affect women’s lives

This course is especially recommended for students who plan to transfer into a women’s studies major, minor or certificate program at a four-year institution.  It also fulfills AACC’s Diversity requirement.

 

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of different theoretical approaches to issues of gender and socialization.
2. Employ gender as an analytic tool.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of women's history, key events and individuals, and women’s contributions to the struggle for women’s equality
4. Demonstrate knowledge of the situation of women in education, medicine and the health industry, religion, the arts, the media, the workplace, and the law and public policy.
5. Explain the ways in which gender is socially and culturally constructed
6. Identify the ways in which particular institutions are gender defining.
7. Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between women’s personal experience and the larger situation of women in society.
8. Identify ways that women resist and challenge restrictive gender ideology.
9. Demonstrate knowledge of the ways that race, class, sexual orientation and other categories of difference intersect with gender.
10. Demonstrate effective oral, written and critical thinking skills in relation to the course material.

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Requirements at a glance

The most important requirements are attendance, keeping up with the reading, and keeping an open mind.  In this course, you will be required to submit two interaction papers (2 typed pages each) and seven journal entries (1 to 1 1/2 typed pages each), to make one 5-8 minute class presentation and to submit a 2-3 page report on your topic.  There will also be a midterm and a final exam. 

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Required materials

Women in American Society, 5th edition (Virginia Sapiro)

We are the Stories We Tell (ed. Wendy Martin)

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Getting Started

For a full description of the scope and schedule of this course, click on the "syllabus" button on the navigation bar on the left of your screen.

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Communication Policy

Click here for a full list of Communications Policies.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if special accommodations are needed please call (410) 777-2307 or TDD (410) 544-0863.

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Resources

The Women's Studies office has a book and video library and other resources for classes, transfer, and personal interest.  The office is located in HUM 200A.  Hours are M 8-2; Tu, W, and Th 8-12; and F 8-10. 

The AACC Writing Center offers help at every stage of composing your paper.   These services included in your tuition and fees, so get what you are paying for!  The Writing Center is located in Library 105; hours are M-Th 9-8:30, F 9-4.

Smarthinking is a free online tutoring service which also provides detailed feedback on your writing.  Click here for more information: Smarthinking. 

Learn from the experiences of students who have already succeeded!  Click here for Peer Advice.

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