WOMS 513.  Issues and Perspectives on African Women and Globalism   (3).

General education humanities course. Cross-listed as ETHS 381AC. For those whose primary notions of Africa derive from little or unconfirmed information. Uses research, writing and other expressions by African women to present women dealing with their postcolonial and globalized national contexts. When possible, a teleconference with an author is arranged for a more global learning experience. Learning through local African communities, dramatic/artistic expressions and group projects is encouraged. Aims to help students develop critical and independent thinking about Africa, African women and their global engagement. Course includes diversity content.

WOMS 587.  Theories of Feminism   (3).

Because feminism is not a single ideological stance or perspective, course examines a variety of ideas underlying feminist cultural critiques and visions for social change. Discusses the contribution of women's studies to various academic disciplines. Course includes diversity content. Prerequisite(s): WOMS 287, 387, or 6 hours of women's studies courses, or instructor's consent.

WOMS 588.  Gender, Race and the West/East Divide   (3).

General education social behavioral sciences course. Examines critically the role of gender and race in the making of a supposed essential divide between the West and the East. Students are introduced to Edward Said's concept of Orientalism and the field of critique that targets how Europe and the U.S. craft an identity the West via its other, called variously, the Orient, Islam, the Muslim world, and the Arab world. Questions explored include: What is Orientalism? What is the relationship between colonialism/imperialism and the representation of the Orient or the East? How, for whom, and for what purposes do gender and race matter in this construct of a divide between West and East? These questions are examined across genres and media — i.e., in travel accounts, film, literature, policy making and news reportage. Course includes diversity content.