WGST - Women's & Gender Studies (WGST)

WGST 200 Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. COURSE OVERVIEW. This course explores the core concepts of the interdisciplinary field of women’s and gender studies, focusing on various perspectives, scholarship, theories and histories of sex, gender and sexuality; examines theories of intersectionality, analyzing the interplay among race/racism, class/classism, sex/sexism, disability/ableism, nation/nationalism, religion/religious bias among other factors in gendered experiences and systems; surveys feminist, queer, anti-racist, decolonial and/or global scholarship that examines how social institutions and control mechanisms enact power, privilege and bias; engages controversial material and historical and/or contemporary case studies that challenge and/or support conventional understandings of gender, sex, sexuality, identity and power as necessary to achieve course learning outcomes and proficiency in disciplinary concepts and ideas. TOPICS. Course may include and is not limited to discussions and descriptions of violence, sexual assault, homophobia, transphobia, femicide, genocide, familial/domestic abuse, forced sterilization and workplace harassment; investigations of political controversies centered on reproductive and gender healthcare, gender identity, policing and/or immigration; analysis of popular culture and creative expression, including but not limited to: performance, literature, drag, music, visual culture; examinations of primary texts from historical and/or contemporary social movements and activists across the United States and around the globe; investigations of contemporary and historical labor relations and globalization; analyses and descriptions of anatomy, physiology and psychology. Instructors teaching this class will choose texts, assessments and approaches that represent current scholarship, instructor expertise, and satisfy course learning objectives.

WGST 205/SOCI 215 Introduction to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Studies

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. COURSE OVERVIEW. This course is an interdisciplinary survey of the histories and theories regarding lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ+) identities and communities. The course focuses on current scholarship addressing the social construction of sex, sexuality and gender; institutional ways in which homophobia, biphobia and transphobia are systematically deployed; histories and examples of LGBTQ+ activism; evolution of desire and subjectivity; and the contributions of queer scholarship in understanding society. TOPICS. Course may include but is not limited to discussions and readings that address queer approaches to institutions; intersections of sexual and gender identity with race, class, ability/disability and/or nationality; digital activism; gender violence; controversies related to LGBTQ+ issues and politics, among others. Instructors teaching this class will choose texts, assessments and approaches that represent current scholarship, instructor expertise, and satisfy course learning objectives. Cross Listing: SOCI 215/WGST 205.

WGST 207/SOCI 207 Introduction to Gender and Society

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. Explore the historical, cultural, social, economic and political dimensions of gender; define and distinguish gender roles and norms and identify sociological theories important to the study of gender; examine ideas and expectations about gender including historical and contemporary norms; understanding of scholarship on this topic increases intercultural competence and effective cross-cultural communication for participation in civic contexts and public life. In line with the American Sociological Association, sociology is the study of social life, social change and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. Sociologists investigate the structure of groups, organizations and societies and how people interact within these contexts. Since all human behavior is social, the subject matter of sociology ranges from the intimate family to global communities; from deviance to organized crime; from religious traditions to state institutions; and from the divisions of race, gender and social class to the shared beliefs of a common culture. The specific topics and readings assigned may vary depending on the instructor’s areas of focus and research expertise. Cross Listing: SOCI 207/WGST 207.

WGST 210/PBSI 210 Psychological Aspects of Human Sexuality

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. Examine human sexuality through biological, psychological, social, relational and cultural lenses. Analyze reproductive anatomy, gender roles, sexual identity, sexual orientation and sexual behavior across the lifespan. Explore topics including love, attraction, sexual health, sexual victimization, diversity and sexuality as a commodity. Apply the bio-psycho-social-cultural model to understand how various factors shape sexual experiences and attitudes. Develop skills to assess sexual health, promote well-being and articulate what healthy sexuality means. Prerequisite: PBSI 107. Cross Listing: PBSI 210/WGST 210.

WGST 213/SOCI 213 Gender and Health

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. Examines the social and historical context of American health care and health professions and develops analytical and professional skills, especially for those seeking work in nursing, medicine and/or health care; analyzes peer-reviewed research on women’s health disparities; emphasizes professional communication of evidence in discussions and presentations, builds empirical and quantitative skills to analyze health datasets; considers ethical dimensions and community contexts while encouraging students to consider a range of perspectives and experiences while providing an understanding of how gender and health intertwine within a societal context. In line with the American Sociological Association, sociology is the study of social life, social change and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. Sociologists investigate the structure of groups, organizations and societies and how people interact within these contexts. Since all human behavior is social, the subject matter of sociology ranges from the intimate family to global communities; from deviance to organized crime; from religious traditions to state institutions; and from the divisions of race, gender and social class to the shared beliefs of a common culture. The specific topics and readings assigned may vary depending on the instructor’s areas of focus and research expertise. Cross Listing: SOCI 213/WGST 213.

WGST 220/GLST 220 Feminist Approaches to Science, Technology, and Medicine

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. Introduction to selected topics about gender and the history of science; focus on feminist critique of science, technology, and medicine; exploration of the connections between the biomedical sciences and the politics of gender and sexuality in a global context. Cross Listing: GLST 220/WGST 220.

WGST 285 Directed Studies

Credits 0 to 3. 0 to 3 Other Hours. Readings and/or research for specific needs of students majoring or minoring in women's and gender studies. Prerequisites: WGST 200 and approval of instructor.

WGST 289 Special Topics in...

Credits 1 to 4. 1 to 4 Lecture Hours. 0 to 4 Lab Hours. Selected topics in an identified area of women's/gender studies. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Approval of director.

WGST 291 Research

Credits 0 to 3. 0 to 3 Other Hours. Research conducted under the direction of faculty member in women's and gender studies. May be taken four times for credit. Prerequisites: WGST 200; freshman or sophomore classification; and approval of instructor.

WGST 300/PBSI 300 Psychology of Women

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. Examine the psychological experiences of women across the lifespan through feminist, developmental and intersectional frameworks. Analyze how social, cultural, biological and psychological factors shape women’s roles and identities in diverse contexts. Explore key topics including gender development, media representation, sexual and reproductive health, cognitive and emotional functioning, work-family dynamics and mental and physical health. Investigate how intersecting identities—such as race, class, and disability—impact access, opportunity and psychological well-being. Strengthen critical thinking and apply evidence-based insights to real-world issues affecting women. Prerequisite: PBSI 107. Cross Listing: PBSI 300/WGST 300.

WGST 315/SOCI 315 Sociology of Marriage and Family

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. Explore family life and contemporary family issues and debates, developing practical skills in critical analysis, communication and sociological evaluation that are used in related professional contexts, especially for fields such as counseling, law and law enforcement, public policy and health care; explore diverse family experiences, historical and contemporary norms, and public attitudes toward family structures; apply sociological approaches and research to analyze family forms, functions, processes related to inequality and the dynamics of interaction; evaluate sociological research methodologies and ethical considerations to assess evidence and policy debates; through the examination of themes like love, marriage and conflict, alongside the critical implications of family changes, develop an evidence-based understanding of the complexities and variation present in contemporary U.S. families. In line with the American Sociological Association, sociology is the study of social life, social change and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. Sociologists investigate the structure of groups, organizations and societies and how people interact within these contexts. Since all human behavior is social, the subject matter of sociology ranges from the intimate family to global communities; from deviance to organized crime; from religious traditions to state institutions; and from the divisions of race, gender and social class to the shared beliefs of a common culture. The specific topics and readings assigned may vary depending on the instructor’s areas of focus and research expertise. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification. Cross Listing: SOCI 315/WGST 315.

WGST 316/SOCI 316 Sociology of Gender

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. An exploration of social construction of gender from a sociological lens, including understanding how social norms, social institutions and social processes are shaped by gendered meanings and contestations. Use empirical and theoretical research to investigate the roles of gender across social institutions such as family, state, law, marriage, nation and others. Also explores how gender intersects with other aspects of social identity such as race, class and citizenship. Students will learn to apply gender theories and empirical research to analyze current social issues and debates, both locally and globally. By the end of the course, students will be able to evaluate how gender shapes outcomes and how research explains change. In line with the American Sociological Association, sociology is the study of social life, social change and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. Sociologists investigate the structure of groups, organizations and societies and how people interact within these contexts. Since all human behavior is social, the subject matter of sociology ranges from the intimate family to global communities; from deviance to organized crime; from religious traditions to state institutions; and from the divisions of race, gender and social class to the shared beliefs of a common culture. The specific topics and readings assigned may vary depending on the instructor’s areas of focus and research expertise. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification. Cross Listing: SOCI 316/WGST 316.

WGST 318/ECON 318 Work, Family and Public Policy

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. Analysis of how work, family and public policy interact to shape labor market outcomes and inequality; theories and evidence on labor supply, human capital formation and earnings differences; effects of family structure, workplace flexibility and government policies on employment and wages; explanations and empirical measurement of discrimination; emphasizes the use of quantitative methods to evaluate costs and benefits of policies addressing inequality in the United States and abroad. Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in ECON 323 or approval of instructor. Cross Listing: ECON 318/WGST 318.

WGST 320 Feminist Inquiry and Research Methods

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. COURSE OVERVIEW. This course is an interdisciplinary exploration of feminist research methods and inquiry in the humanities, social sciences and sciences. It explores ethical approaches to feminist research, feminist understandings of epistemology and feminist research design. TOPICS. Course may include but is not limited to discussions and readings about standpoint epistemology; poststructuralist, decolonial, feminist and queer approaches to research; and feminist science studies. Examples of feminist research discussed in class may focus on constructions of sex, gender, and sexuality, race/racism and other topics of contemporary relevance. Instructors teaching this class will choose texts, assessments and approaches that represent current scholarship and instructor expertise and satisfy course learning objectives. Prerequisites: WGST 200.

WGST 330 Women in Ancient Greece and Rome

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. Survey of women in classical Greece and Rome; emphases on female occupations and family relationships, legal and political status, traditional values, notorious women, how women were viewed and how they viewed themselves. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification. Cross Listing: CLAS 330 and HIST 330.

WGST 333/ENGL 333 Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Literatures

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. LGBTQ texts studied in their cross-cultural, historical, political contexts. Topics may include but are not limited to studies in camp, authorship, (mis)representations in popular culture, the closet and queer coding, queer visual and performance cultures; race, sex, empire. Instructors teaching this class will choose texts, assessments and approaches that represent current scholarship and satisfy course learning objectives. Prerequisites: Junior or senior classification. Cross Listing: ENGL 333/WGST 333.

WGST 334 Women's Health

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. A broad range of health issues that are either unique to women or of special importance to women; information for the health consumer; preparation as an advocate of healthy lifestyles; awareness of the role health plays in the life of all women. Prerequisites: Junior or senior classification. Cross Listing: HLTH 334 and PHLT 360.

WGST 342 The Rhetoric of Gender and Health

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. Study of field of rhetoric of health and medicine with specific attention to the study of gender, including issues in reproduction, expertise and illness; range of methods and methodological approaches within the field. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification. Cross Listing: ENGL 342 and COMM 342.

WGST 343/FILM 343 Sex, Gender and Cinema

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. Exploration of a significant topic at the intersection of women's/gender studies and film, such as cinema and sexuality studies, cinema and women, and cinema and masculinity; may include discussion of production, film content, and/or reception. Prerequisites: Junior or senior classification or approval of instructor. Cross Listing: FILM 343/WGST 343.

WGST 367/POLS 367 Women in Government in Comparative Perspective

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. Examination of women's representation in government based on comparison across multiple nation-states; focus on legislative and executive branches of democratic governments. Prerequisites: POLS 206; junior or senior classification or approval of department head. Cross Listing: POLS 367/WGST 367.

WGST 369/ENGL 369 Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Authorship

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. Exploration of LGBTQ+ authorship through film and literary criticism and theories of performing the self in the act of authoring. Prerequisites: Junior or senior classification. Cross Listing: ENGL 369/WGST 369.

WGST 374/ENGL 374 Women Writers

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. Writings by women in English, with emphasis on issues pertaining to women’s experiences and on their literary contributions in a variety of genres. Instructors teaching this class will choose texts, assessments and approaches that represent current scholarship and satisfy course learning objectives. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification; ENGL-374 also taught at Galveston campus. Cross Listing: ENGL 374/WGST 374.

WGST 377 Africana Women's History

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. Black women’s history from the precolonial era to the present; emphasis on the cultural, political, legal, economic, sexual, social, and religious factors that shaped their experiences across the African Diaspora and the world. Prerequisites: Junior or senior classification. Cross Listing: AFST 377 and HIST 377.

WGST 394 Gender and Genre

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. Exploration and analysis of the ways in which a single literary and/or film genre resonates with gendered perspectives and sexual subjectivity. Prerequisites: Junior or senior classification; WGST 200 or FILM 251/ENGL 251 or ENGL 251/FILM 251.

WGST 401 Feminist Theory

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. COURSE OVERVIEW. This course is an inquiry-based examination of feminist theory from various disciplinary perspectives, with application to past and current cultural and societal debates and controversies. Disciplinary approaches may include those from sociology, cultural anthropology, political science, rhetoric, philosophy, science studies, literary studies, legal studies, performance studies, history, visual culture and media studies, among others. TOPICS. Course may include discussions and readings related to intersectionality, traditions and genealogies of feminism, gender-based violence, performativity, domesticity, labor, Marxism, colonialism/postcolonialism/decolonialism, global capitalism, gender, sexuality and feminist and/or queer social movements, among others. Instructors teaching this class will choose texts, assessments and approaches that represent current scholarship, instructor expertise, and satisfy course learning objectives. Prerequisites: WGST 200 or approval of instructor; junior or senior classification.

WGST 403 Language and Gender

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. Language and gender from a sociolinguistic perspective; gender in the words and structures of language; gender representation and gendered language use in the media, and a variety of sociocultural contexts; language use in intimate relationships; computer-mediated discourse; language, sexuality, and sexual orientation. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification. Cross Listing: ENGL 403 and LING 403.

WGST 404/ANTH 404 Women and Culture

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. Examines women's lives in evolutionary and cross-cultural perspective; women's roles in subsistence, politics, religion and economics in traditional cultures; women's roles in international development; the cultural and social construction of women's biology cross-culturally including circumcision, menstruation, pregnancy, childbirth and motherhood. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification; approval of instructor. Cross Listing: ANTH 404/WGST 404.

WGST 407/COMM 407 Gender, Race and Media

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. COURSE OVERVIEW. Examines how gender, race, sexuality, ethnicity and related identities are produced, represented, negotiated, contested, consumed and/or performed in relation to media. Explores contributions of historically marginalized groups to media production, alongside analysis of how these groups have been portrayed as characters, audiences, communities and/or target markets. Focuses on media as a site of competing commercial, cultural, political, satirical and/or resistance narratives, rather than as a single, unified voice. Emphasizes critical interpretation of media texts and systems, while allowing space for multiple viewpoints and interpretations. Course material may include historical and contemporary examples that reflect both progress and controversy, analyzed for their cultural and communicative significance. RELEVANCE AND APPLICATION. Engages issues central to media literacy, political economy, representation and audience awareness in contemporary communication industries. Builds recognition of the ways portrayals of gender and race shape perception, credibility and/or trust in journalism, entertainment, advertising, representatives, community and public communication. Supports careers in communication, media industries, public relations, education, nonprofit work and leadership roles where navigating diverse audiences is essential. Supports informed decision-making in professional and civic contexts by highlighting how media representations influence identity, inclusion and public dialogue. DEEPENING UNDERSTANDINGS. Clarifies that studying media portrayals of gender and race is not limited to celebration or criticism but involves examining how representation functions within broader cultural, social, economic, political and/or institutional systems. Illustrates how media are grounded in economies of production, representation and consumption across platforms, products and pipelines. Considers ways media might be empowering, stereotypical, commercial and/or transformative, depending on context, audience and community. Promotes awareness that interpretations of media content may differ across social, cultural and/or generational perspectives and that disagreement over meaning is part of scholarly analysis rather than a flaw in the material. Normalizes engagement with sensitive or contested topics as a means of understanding how media both reflect and shape public life. TOPICS AND THEMES. May include study of media across film, television, news, advertising, music and digital platforms through production, representation and consumption; analysis of gender, race, ethnicity and intersectional identities in historical and contemporary contexts; consideration of media production practices, audience reception and the economic and institutional forces shaping representation; examination of stereotypes, invisibility, empowerment narratives and commercialized identity; discussion of how media both reinforce and challenge social norms related to power, privilege and belonging. Course material may include content that reflects real-world disparities or conflicting viewpoints. Prerequisites: Junior or senior classification. Cross Listing: COMM 407/WGST 407.

WGST 409/PHIL 409 Philosophy of Gender

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. Philosophy challenges students to understand, articulate and evaluate arguments from multiple points of view. Students pursue advanced philosophical investigation into key approaches and themes of feminist thought. Students engage in philosophical and critical evaluation of the role of gender and sex in the formation of intellectual and cultural history, social norms and identity. May be taken two times for credit as content varies. Prerequisites: Junior or senior classification or approval of instructor. Cross Listing: PHIL 409/WGST 409.

WGST 410/SOCI 410 Reproduction and Birth

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. This course examines topics related to reproductive practices and experiences and of the meanings surrounding womanhood, motherhood and reproduction. CONTENT STATEMENT. Instructors teaching this class will choose texts, assessments and approaches that represent current scholarship in this field and satisfy course learning objectives. In line with the American Sociological Association, sociology is the study of social life, social change and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. Sociologists investigate the structure of groups, organizations and societies and how people interact within these contexts. Since all human behavior is social, the subject matter of sociology ranges from the intimate family to global communities; from deviance to organized crime; from religious traditions to state institutions; and from the divisions of race, gender and social class to the shared beliefs of a common culture. The specific topics and readings assigned may vary depending on the instructor’s areas of focus and research expertise. Prerequisites: Junior or senior classification. Cross Listing: SOCI 410/WGST 410.

WGST 411/COMM 411 Representations of Motherhood

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. COURSE OVERVIEW. Explores the study of motherhood as a cultural, social and communicative construct rather than a singular biological or personal identity. Examines how ideas about motherhood are created, reinforced or challenged through literature, film, popular media, digital media, political rhetoric, public policy, advertising, news, medical institutions and/or everyday discourse across different time periods and cultural contexts. Considers both idealized and marginalized portrayals, attending to such matters as gender, race, class, sexuality, ability and nation. Course material may include historical texts, contemporary examples, commentary and/or fictional representations. Content may include portrayals that are celebratory, critical or controversial, examined for purposes of interpretation. RELEVANCE AND APPLICATION. Builds critical literacy for analyzing how cultural expectations shape perceptions of family, caregiving and social roles. Promotes awareness of how media narratives, cultural practices and public discourse influence policies, workplace norms, interpersonal expectations and public debates surrounding parenting, labor and care work. Supports workforce preparation in fields such as media, healthcare, public health, social work, policy development, education and public communication where sensitivity to diverse family structures and practices is essential. Enhances academic readiness for further study in rhetoric, gender studies, media studies and/or cultural studies. Encourages reflection on how public narratives about motherhood have evolved over time, affect social inclusion, policy decisions and public life. DEEPENING UNDERSTANDINGS. Highlights how ideas about motherhood vary across cultures, eras, socio-economic groups and/or ideological perspectives, challenging assumptions of universality. Encourages recognition of both biological and socially constructed dimensions of maternal identity. Clarifies the difference between personal belief and cultural representation, prompting reflection on how individuals internalize or resist public narratives about care, responsibility and motherhood and how it may modify behavior. TOPICS AND THEMES. May include study of motherhood in literature, film, television, music, news, advertising, music and digital media; historical shifts in maternal ideals; feminist and anti-feminist discourses; motherhood and labor; political uses of maternal identity; race, class and marginalized motherhoods; disability and motherhood; reproductive technology and infertility narratives; representation of motherhood in children's literature and films, childfree identities and resistance to maternal norms. Course material may involve emotional and sensitive content such as depictions of grief, trauma, marginalization or public controversy as relevant to understanding how motherhood is framed in culture. Prerequisites: Junior or senior classification or approval of instructor. Cross Listing: COMM 411/WGST 411.

WGST 413 Race, Gender, and the Environment

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. Investigation of social inequalities related to environmental issues; focus on environmental justice and ecofeminism; exploration of the connections among racism, patriarchy, and the environment. Prerequisites: Junior or senior classification. Cross Listing: GLST 413 and HISP 413.

WGST 420/COMM 420 Gender and Communication

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. COURSE OVERVIEW. Explores the study of how gender shapes and is shaped by communication across interpersonal, organizational and public contexts. Examines how people express, interpret and negotiate gender in everyday interaction, media environments and/or institutional settings. Explores both stability and change in gendered expectations, roles and identities. Course content and discussions may touch on differing perspectives or points of disagreement for purposes of understanding communication dynamics surrounding gender. RELEVANCE AND APPLICATION. Supports career pathways in media, public service, advocacy, education, law, nonprofit work and other community-facing professions by examining communication as grounded in diverse communities and lived experiences. Enhances preparation for careers involving interpersonal interaction, public communication, education, health, social work, policy development, human relations, consulting, advocacy or management. Builds recognition of how communication norms vary across individuals, cultures and contexts, which is an essential competency for workplace effectiveness, civic participation and collaborative problem-solving. DEEPENING UNDERSTANDINGS. Explores how communication research addresses biological sex alongside cultural understandings of gender identity and gender roles and how each may influence interaction across different contexts. Highlights that everyday assumptions about gender and communication can vary across individuals, cultures and/or historical periods. Encourages examination of multiple scholarly perspectives on how gender-related patterns emerge, are perceived or are reinforced through communication, without prescribing a single interpretive lens. TOPICS AND THEMES. May include study of gendered language, voice and nonverbal expression; feminist and critical perspectives on communication and gender; communication across friendship, romantic, family and workplace relationships; leadership, authority and collaboration in professional settings; media portrayals of femininity, masculinity and gender diversity; intersections of gender with race, sexuality, class, nationality, religion and/or ability; communication surrounding health, body image, caregiving or identity disclosure; historical and cross-cultural perspectives on gender roles and expectations; analysis of humor, conflict, persuasion or storytelling through a gendered lens. Course material may reference real-world cases involving disagreement or controversy as relevant to understanding communication dynamics. Prerequisites: Junior or senior classification or approval of instructor. Cross Listing: COMM 420/WGST 420.

WGST 421/SOCI 421 Gender & Crime

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. Gender & Crime. Gender disparities in contemporary patterns of crime, victimization and incarceration; key concepts, major theories and empirical research studies around gender and crime. Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in SOCI 207/WGST 207, SOCI 211, SOCI 304, SOCI 316/WGST 316, WGST 200, WGST 207/SOCI 207, or WGST 316/SOCI 316. Cross Listing: SOCI 421/WGST 421.

WGST 428/COMM 428 Women’s Rhetoric

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. COURSE OVERVIEW. Examines how women have participated in public discourse across history and how their voices have been received, represented and/or resisted. Focuses on women as rhetorical actors in political, social and cultural arenas, including abolition, suffrage, electoral politics and other historical and/or contemporary movements. Analyzes how gendered expectations shape access to voice, credibility and authority in public speech. Course content and discussion may include historical or contemporary materials involving disagreement, exclusion and controversy, examined for the purposes of rhetorical analysis. RELEVANCE AND APPLICATION. Enhances workforce readiness in fields requiring strategic communication, public messaging or collaboration across differing perspectives and experiences. Engages communication practices central to leadership, advocacy, public influence and civic participation. Builds understanding of how rhetorical acts gain or lose effectiveness depending on context, audience and/or a rhetor’s positioning. Supports academic preparation in rhetoric, strategic communication, political communication, gender studies, history and related fields. DEEPENING UNDERSTANDINGS. Clarifies how historical accounts of public discourse often highlight certain voices while overlooking others and how all have shaped evolving understandings of equality and justice over time. Considers the study of women’s rhetoric not as an exclusive focus on one group, but as a broader inquiry into how authority and participation are negotiated in democratic life. TOPICS AND THEMES. May include study of speeches, letters, manifestos or media performances by women in abolition, suffrage, labor organizing, electoral politics or social movements; analysis of rhetorical strategies used to gain credibility, resist exclusion or speak from positions of marginalization or authority; consideration of concepts such as ethos, style, audience adaptation, feminist rhetoric and rhetorical citizenship; use of interpretive or critical frameworks to examine how gender, power and identity shape rhetorical strategy and reception across cultural contexts. Course material may incorporate differing political or ideological perspectives as relevant to understanding communication in context. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification. Cross Listing: COMM 428/WGST 428.

WGST 430/MGMT 430 Employment Discrimination Law

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. Legal issues surrounding employment discrimination, including disparate treatment and impact; intent; affirmative action; sexual harassment; pregnancy, sex, race, religious, salary, disability, age, and ethnic discrimination; policy issues and perspectives to aid human resource specialists and managers. Prerequisite: Admission to upper division in Mays Business School and senior classification. Cross Listing: MGMT 430/WGST 430.

WGST 445/SOCI 455 Queer Theory

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. COURSE OVERVIEW. This course examines the field of queer theory as it emerged in the U.S. academy in the 1990s and grew and developed within and beyond U.S. borders in the early 21st century. The course includes scholarship on gender and sexual diversity and its overlaps with and divergences from feminist theories, while also highlighting the ways it functions as a critical practice that extends far beyond questions of gender and sexuality. Drawing on philosophy, literature, cultural studies and political theory, the course examines how “queer” operates as a challenge to systems of normalization — of identity, desire, embodiment and knowledge itself. The course considers foundational and contemporary texts in the field. TOPICS. Instructors teaching this class will choose texts, assessments and approaches that represent current scholarship and satisfy course learning objectives. Prerequisites: 6 hours in Women's and Gender Studies; senior classification or approval of instructor. Cross Listing: SOCI 455/WGST 445.

WGST 461/HIST 461 Women in America to 1877

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. CONTENT. Examines women's historical role in the nation's development from pre-colonial times to 1877 by exploring religious, legal, political and cultural factors which helped shape the character and activities of women in American society. Themes include, but are not limited to, early native American women; women and the American Revolution; women in slavery; women and the Civil War; and women and Reconstruction. Course content is selected to align with the course description and the current state of scholarship in the field. The presentation of course content fosters critical thinking in the context of scholarly consensus and debate, rather than instructors’ views, values or beliefs. Instructors may assign different readings and/or topics that fit within the course description and meet the learning objectives. BENEFITS. History teaches evaluation and synthesis of evidence, development of persuasive arguments in written and oral form, expansion of understandings of historical contexts that have contributed to human complexity past and present, including but not limited to the formation of group and individual identities, social and political dynamics, and debates about values and rights. Applying this knowledge produces more informed citizens, who are proficient in the abilities required by today’s workforce. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification or approval of instructor. Cross Listing: HIST 461/WGST 461.

WGST 462/POLS 462 Women and the Law

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. The legal status of American women from the adoption of the Constitution to the present: constitutional developments; the 19th Amendment and the proposed Equal Rights Amendment; employment; family law; reproductive rights; education; sexual equality in context of other claims to equality; law and social norms. Prerequisite: POLS 206 or approval of department head. Cross Listing: POLS 462/WGST 462.

WGST 463 Gender in Asia

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. Gender dynamics in Asia; changes in gender roles; women's movements; women and the economy; women and politics; men's and women's private lives. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification. Cross Listing: ASIA 463 and SOCI 463.

WGST 470 Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Cinemas

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. Examination of cinema by and about LGBTQ individuals or communities; discussion of production, film content and reception. Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in WGST 200, FILM 215/GLST 215, FILM 251/ENGL 251, ENGL 251/FILM 251, or FILM 299, and junior or senior classification; or approval of instructor.

WGST 473/HIST 473 Women in America Since 1877

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. CONTENT. History of women in the U.S. from the late 19th century to the present; role of intersectionality in defining the experience of modern womanhood; women as activists, workers, consumers, mothers and feminists; experiences, lives and influence of women of color; examination of contemporary social, political and economic histories. Course content is selected to align with the course description and the current state of scholarship in the field. The presentation of course content fosters critical thinking in the context of scholarly consensus and debate, rather than instructors’ views, values or beliefs. Instructors may assign different readings and/or topics that fit within the course description and meet the learning objectives. BENEFITS. History teaches evaluation and synthesis of evidence, development of persuasive arguments in written and oral form, expansion of understandings of historical contexts that have contributed to human complexity past and present, including but not limited to the formation of group and individual identities, social and political dynamics, and debates about values and rights. Applying this knowledge produces more informed citizens, who are proficient in the abilities required by today’s workforce. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification or approval of instructor; HIST-473 also taught at Galveston campus. Cross Listing: HIST 473/WGST 473.

WGST 474/ENGL 474 Studies in Women Writers

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. This course is organized thematically around the expansive category of women’s writing. Topics vary by instructor design. Students will engage in advanced critical analysis of texts and hone interpretive skill in discussion and assignments. Instructors teaching this class will choose texts, assessments and approaches that represent current scholarship and satisfy course learning objectives. May be taken two times for credit. Prerequisites: 3 credits of literature at the 300-level; junior or senior classification. Cross Listing: ENGL 474/WGST 474.

WGST 476/HIST 476 Sex and Sexuality in History

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. CONTENT. Changing ideas about sex and sexuality over time; includes their interaction with ideas about gender, race, class, religion, science, technology, medicine, politics and popular culture; historical and cultural processes creating modern concerns about sex and sexuality. Course content is selected to align with the course description and the current state of scholarship in the field. The presentation of course content fosters critical thinking in the context of scholarly consensus and debate, rather than instructors’ views, values or beliefs. Instructors may assign different readings and/or topics that fit within the course description and meet the learning objectives. BENEFITS. History teaches evaluation and synthesis of evidence, development of persuasive arguments in written and oral form, expansion of understandings of historical contexts that have contributed to human complexity past and present, including but not limited to the formation of group and individual identities, social and political dynamics, and debates about values and rights. Applying this knowledge produces more informed citizens, who are proficient in the abilities required by today’s workforce. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification or approval of instructor. Cross Listing: HIST 476/WGST 476.

WGST 477/HIST 477 Women and Gender in Modern European History

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. CONTENT. History of women in Europe from the 18th century to the present: women's contributions to their societies; realities of their daily lives and their responses; perceptions of women; role of institutions in defining women's roles; significance for women of industrialization, revolution, warfare, scientific discoveries. Course content is selected to align with the course description and the current state of scholarship in the field. The presentation of course content fosters critical thinking in the context of scholarly consensus and debate, rather than instructors’ views, values or beliefs. Instructors may assign different readings and/or topics that fit within the course description and meet the learning objectives. BENEFITS. History teaches evaluation and synthesis of evidence, development of persuasive arguments in written and oral form, expansion of understandings of historical contexts that have contributed to human complexity past and present, including but not limited to the formation of group and individual identities, social and political dynamics, and debates about values and rights. Applying this knowledge produces more informed citizens, who are proficient in the abilities required by today’s workforce. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification or approval of instructor. Cross Listing: HIST 477/WGST 477.

WGST 481 Senior Seminar

Credits 3. 3 Other Hours. COURSE OVERVIEW. This capstone course for majors is an inquiry-based study of topics in women’s and gender studies. The course uses theories, analytic approaches and feminist and other methods in women’s and gender studies to investigate a topic of social and cultural significance. TOPICS. Topics will vary depending on the expertise of the instructor. The course includes development of research and writing skills such as forming research questions, practicing research methods and drafting and revising research-based writing. Instructors teaching this class will choose texts, assessments and approaches that represent current scholarship, instructor expertise, and satisfy course learning objectives. Prerequisites: WGST 200 and junior or senior classification; or approval of instructor.

WGST 484 Internship in Women's and Gender Studies

Credits 0 to 4. 0 to 4 Other Hours. Directed internship in a public or private organization to provide students with on-the-job training and applied research experience; opportunity to observe first hand issues and problems covered in women's and gender studies courses; designed to enhance and clarify the student's career objectives. Prerequisites: WGST 200, junior or senior classification, and approval of instructor.

WGST 485 Directed Studies

Credits 0 to 4. 0 to 4 Other Hours. Readings and/or research for specific needs of students majoring or minoring in women's and gender studies. Prerequisites: WGST 200 and approval of instructor.

WGST 489 Special Topics in...

Credits 1 to 4. 1 to 4 Lecture Hours. 0 to 4 Lab Hours. Selected topics in an identified area of women's and gender studies. May be repeated for credit.

WGST 491 Research

Credits 0 to 3. 0 to 3 Other Hours. Research conducted under the direction of faculty member in women's and gender studies. May be taken four times for credit. Prerequisites: WGST 200; junior or senior classification; and approval of instructor.