Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies
Sally A. Steindorf, Professor
Faculty from other disciplines also support this program.
What does it mean to be gendered in today’s world? Principia College’s interdisciplinary GSWS minor explores cultural constructions of sex and gender as they intersect with “race,” ethnicity, nationality, class, sexual orientation, gender identity, etc. Students will apply a gender lens to historical experiences, cultural texts and their contexts, and social institutions (e.g. education, government, religion, family). Drawing on feminist, gender, and queer theories and their development over time, students will learn to think critically about identity, normativity, and power. They will analyze gender inequities through local, national, and transnational frameworks, while also learning about movements working toward women’s and LGBTQIA+ empowerment. The GSWS program offers itself as an ally and advocate for women and LGBTQIA+ students, staff, and faculty at the college.
GSWS 175 Gender, Sexuality, & Society 3.0 SH [GESS]
Examines how people experience gender, sex, and sexuality in a variety of cultural contexts. Investigates how social identities, such as race, ethnicity and class intersect with gender. Identifies and analyzes the factors that lead to gender inequity within various social institutions including media, work, and politics. Discusses ways forward with these issues. Also listed as SOAN 175.
Class Level Restriction: Freshman and Sophomore only.
GSWS 360 Feminist & Queer Theories 3.0 SH [ ]
Uses a global and multicultural lens to examine how feminist, gender, and queer theories developed through different time periods and places. Analyzes theoretical concepts like patriarchy, gender-based inequities, intersectionality, social justice, and LGBTQIA+ and women's rights. Applies these theories to socio-cultural phenomenon.
Prerequisite: GSWS/SOAN 175.
Class Level Restriction: Junior and Senior only.
GSWS 370 Global Women's & LGBTQ+ Issues 3.0 SH [ ]
An in-depth study of the critical areas of concern for women and LGBTQIA+ individuals around the world. Examines ways forward on these issues including social movements working for equity for women & LGBTQIA+ individuals. Also listed as SOAN 370.
Class Level Restriction: Sophomore and Junior and Senior only.
GSWS 410 Senior Seminar 3.0 SH [ ]
The senior seminar serves to culminate the minor in gender, sexuality, and women's studies. A topic and/or experiential project is selected and treated in depth with readings, discussion, and/or implementation. Students bring with them to the course depth and variety from two electives in gender, sexuality, and women's studies along with a theory course.
Prerequisite: GSWS/SOAN 175, theory course, and two electives from the Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies minor.
Class Level Restriction: Junior and Senior only.
Field of Study Restrictions: Gender/Sexuality/Women Studies Minors only.
