Women's and Gender Studies

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.

Undergraduate Degrees Available

Subject Type Option Track
Liberal Studies Bachelor of Arts Women's and Gender Studies
Women's and Gender Studies Minor

Faculty

Professors

  • Jill Bergman, Professor
  • Casey Charles, Professor
  • M. Ione Crummy, Professor
  • Paul Dietrich, Professor of Religious Studies and Liberal Studies
  • Janet Finn, Professor
  • Christine Fiore, Professor and Chair
  • Linda Gillison, Professor
  • Sara Hayden, Professor
  • Anya Jabour, Professor of History; Co-Director, Women & Gender Studies
  • Kathy J. Kuipers, Associate Professor, Chair
  • Clary Loisel, Professor

Associate Professors

  • Hiltrud Arens, Professor
  • Bryan Cochran, Assoc. Prof. of Psychology and Director of Clinical Training
  • Sarah J. Halvorson, Professor
  • Teresa Sobieszczyk, Associate Professor, Sociology, and Director of International Development Studies and Peace Corps Prep Programs
  • Celia Winkler, Associate Professor

Assistant Professors

  • Daisy Rooks, Assistant Professor
  • Tobin Miller Shearer, Associate Professor of History; Director of African-American Studies

Adjunct Faculty

  • Beth Hubble, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Women's Studies

Course Descriptions

Women's and Gender Studies

  • WGSS 163L - Hist/Lit Persp Women

    Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate. Offered spring. Formerly PHL 151H, LS 119H, WGS 119H, WGGS 163H. This is an introduction to the discipline and scope of Western thought from antiquity to the present focusing on women as the subject rather than men. The objective of the course is to provide an understanding and critical appreciation of seminal texts by and about women through readings, class discussion and written assignments.
    Course Attributes:
    • Literary & Artistic Stds Crse

  • WGSS 263S - Women's and Gender Studies

    Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate. Offered autumn. Broad overview of gender and women's issues from a social science perspective. Relevant topics related to the sociological and psychological aspects of gender across culture are explored, including masculinity, femininity, violence, reproductive health, cultural diversity in the expression of gender, issues in sexual orientation, and media contributions to these issues.
    Course Attributes:
    • Social Sciences Course

  • WGSS 291 - Special Topics

    Credits: 1 TO 6. Level: Undergraduate. (R-6) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.

  • WGSS 294 - Seminar

    Credits: 1 TO 6. Level: Undergraduate. (R-6) Offered intermittently. A review and discussion of current research. Topics vary.

  • WGSS 363 - Feminist Theory and Methods

    Credits: 3. Level: Undergraduate. Offered spring. In-depth exposure to feminist views and critique of the ethics and methods of scientific, social, and literary inquiry. Includes exposure to primary sources and current societal and global issues and movements, research finding, and literature exemplifying these methods of inquiry and the gendered dimensions of such inquiry.
    Course Attributes:
    • Writing Course-Upper-Division

  • WGSS 390 - Undergraduate Research

    Credits: 1 TO 6. Level: Undergraduate. (R-6) Offered intermittently. Directed individual research and study appropriate to the back ground and objectives of the student.
    Course Attributes:
    • Research & Creative Schlrshp

  • WGSS 391 - Special Topics

    Credits: 1 TO 6. Level: Undergraduate. (R-6) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.

  • WGSS 392 - Independent Study

    Credits: 1 TO 12. Level: Undergraduate. (R-12) Offered intermittently. Course material appropriate to the needs and objectives of the individual student.

  • WGSS 398 - Coop Education/Internship

    Credits: 1 TO 6. Level: Undergraduate. R-6) Offered intermittently. Prereq., consent of director. Extended classroom experience which provides practical application of classroom learning during placements off campus. Prior approval must be obtained from the faculty supervisor and the Internship Services office. A maximum of 6 credits of Internship (198, 298, 398, 498) may count toward graduation.
    Course Attributes:
    • Internships/Practicums

  • WGSS 463 - WGS Capstone

    Credits: 2. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. Offered spring. Prereq., WGS 119H, WGS 263S, WS 275S. Capstone course for the Women's and Gender Studies minor.

  • WGSS 490 - Undergraduate Research

    Credits: 1 TO 6. Level: Undergraduate. (R-6) Offered intermittently. Directed individual research and study appropriate to the back ground and objectives of the student.
    Course Attributes:
    • Research & Creative Schlrshp

  • WGSS 491 - Special Topics

    Credits: 1 TO 6. Level: Undergraduate. (R-6) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.

  • WGSS 492 - Independent Study

    Credits: 1 TO 9. Level: Undergraduate. (R-9) Offered intermittently. Course material appropriate to the needs and objectives of the individual student.

  • WGSS 595 - Special Topics

    Credits: 1 TO 12. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. (R-12) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.
    Course Attributes:
    • Internships/Practicums

  • WGSS 596 - Independent Study

    Credits: 1 TO 6. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. (R-6) Offered intermittently. Prereq., consent of instr. Course material appropriate to the needs and objectives of the individual student.
    Course Attributes:
    • Service Learning/Volunteer

  • WGSS 598 - Internship

    Credits: 1 TO 6. Level: Undergraduate, Graduate. (R-6) Offered by special arrangement. Prereq., consent of department. Extended classroom experience which provides practical application of classroom learning during placements off campus. Prior approval must be obtained from the faculty supervisor and the Internship Services office. A maximum of 6 credits of Internship (198, 298, 398, 498) may count toward graduation.
    Course Attributes:
    • Internships/Practicums