Mar 29, 2024  
2018-2019 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2018-2019 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Women’s & Gender Studies Minor


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Women’s & Gender Studies is an interdisciplinary program that examines the multitude of ways in which the meanings of bodies and identities are culturally constructed. While many of the individual courses in the program deal directly with women and gender, they are more largely concerned with considering and questioning the ways in which sex, gender, race, class, and sexualities (along with a host of other identity categories) have been used as mechanisms of both oppression and empowerment within and against certain populations. Taught from a feminist theoretical perspective, Women’s & Gender Studies courses are designed to give students the tools to engage their critical thinking skills, enable them to dissect the mechanisms of power that are central to culture, and understand, challenge, and contribute to the worlds in which they live.

Program Requirements


Women’s & Gender Studies must complete a total of 18 hours in the minor area to include:

Outcomes


Outcome 1.

Describe the experiences of women from multiple perspectives of time, place, and the understanding of varied disciplines.

Outcome 2.

Demonstrate the ability to think, write, and speak critically about issues of gender in the contemporary world from the different perspectives of age, class, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, and race.

Outcome 3.

Articulate an understanding of the role that social power plays in the construction of privilege and identity.

Outcome 4.

Apply feminist theory from a multi-disciplinary perspective.

Assessment


Assessment of the Women’s & Gender Studies minor outcomes takes place through the assessment modalities used in the minor’s two required courses, WS 210 /IS 210  and WS 326 /PL 326 . These modalities include exercises such as essays, exams, class discussion, and formal presentations that require critical, evaluative, and logical approaches to processing information and drawing conclusions. In addition, assessment of individual outcomes is periodically conducted in the other Women’s & Gender studies courses through the assessment modalities specific to that course.

Minor Note


  • At least 18 semester hours in a subject area are required for a minor.
  • A minimum of 9 hours in the minor must be earned at Avila University.
    • At least six of these hours must be numbered 300 or above. (Note: If the minor is in Biology or Chemistry, only four (4) of the 9 semester hours in the minor at Avila must be in courses numbered 300 or above.)

  • A minimum of 9 hours must be unique between a major and a minor. 
  • A grade of “C” or better must be earned for all graded courses required for the minor.

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