2013-2014 Course Catalog

Women's and Gender Studies Program

• Special Degree Requirements
• Courses
• Faculty

Anya Jabour and Elizabeth Hubble, Co-Directors

Women's and Gender Studies, an interdisciplinary program founded in 1990, encourages the production, discussion, and dissemination of knowledge about women's experiences, oppressions, and achievements, in Montana, the U.S., and the world. In the last decade this focus has broadened to include study of the social and cultural construction of gender, sex, and sexualities. By fostering awareness of cultural and international diversity, as well as of the circulations of power mediated by race, class, age, and sexual orientation, Women's and Gender Studies encourages students to think critically and to envision justice for all peoples.
The Women's and Gender Studies program is administered by the co-directors, with assistance from the program coordinator, in consultation with the Women's and Gender Studies Steering Committee, an interdisciplinary group of faculty and professional associates with teaching, research, and scholarly interests in women and gender.
Students may include Women's and Gender Studies in their studies in two ways. They can major in Liberal Studies with an option in Women's and Gender Studies, or they can complete the Women's and Gender Studies minor. Students may select coursework from a wide variety of courses offered in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, law, education and other disciplines. Women's and Gender Studies offers scholarships, and sponsors or co-sponsors a variety of events including lectures, discussions, and performances that make a vibrant contribution to both the campus and the Missoula community life.
To be admitted, students must register with the Women's and Gender Studies directors, who will explain option or minor requirements and supervise their program.

Special Degree Requirements

Students may either combine the WGS minor with any major on campus or major in Liberal Studies with the Women’s and Gender Studies Option

I. Requirements for a Minor

The Women's and Gender Studies minor is available to students in all majors. It consists of 20 credits. Students must complete three required courses or approved alternatives: (1) WGSS 163h, Philosophical Perspectives on Women in the Western Hemisphere, or WGSS 263 (WGS 263S), Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies, (2) WGSS 363 (WGS 363), Feminist Theories and Methods, and (3) WGSS 363 (WGS 463), Women's Studies Capstone (2 credits). In addition, students must complete four elective courses (twelve credits) from the list of Women's and Gender Studies courses. At least one of these courses must be numbered 300-level or above.  A course list is published each semester prior to pre-registration.  Contact the WGS Office at 243-2584 or visit LA 138A.  Students may apply WGSS 398 (WGS 398), Cooperative Education (internships), toward their elective credits. All requests for substitutions or equivalency must be approved by the director(s) of the Women's and Gender Studies Program.

II. For the Women's and Gender Studies option under the Liberal Studies major, the following requirements must be met (not necessarily in sequence):

1. Completion of Liberal Studies core curriculum. (See the Liberal Studies section of this catalog: http://www.umt.edu/catalog/cat/cas/libstud.html#degree.)

2. Completion of WGSS 163H or approved alternative.
3. At least 21 credits of course work in relevant, advisor- approved courses numbered above 299. Each semester a list of these courses is published at pre-registration by the Women's and Gender Studies office, LA 138A, (406) 243- 2584. Typical choices are listed below under Courses, but may vary from year to year. Other courses not listed here may be applied toward the option or the minor if approved by the Women's and Gender Studies directors. WGSS 398 (WGS 398) (internships) may be applied toward these credits.