University of Portland Bulletin 2020-2021

Gender and Women's Studies

Alexandra M. Hill, Ph.D., German, and Vail Fletcher, Ph.D., communication studies, co-directors

The gender and women’s studies minor is a truly interdisciplinary academic experience designed to foster dialogue between the arts, humanities, and social sciences with the ultimate goal of greater understanding surrounding issues of identity and sexuality in their historical, ethical, theological, and socio-cultural contexts. The gender and women’s studies minor incorporates content reflecting both the study of women's experience specifically and the intersection of gender and culture more generally and encompasses all areas of human inquiry: the liberal arts, the social and natural sciences, engineering, nursing, education, law, business, medicine, and ministry.

Learning Outcomes for the Gender and Women’s Studies Minor

Students completing the gender and women’s studies minor should be able to: 

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of how different disciplines understand and study gender.
    1. Articulate orally or in writing the lenses through which at least two disciplines understand gender.
    2. Articulate orally or in writing the methods used by at least two disciplines to study gender.
  2. Demonstrate an awareness of the intersections between gender and variables such as sex, sexuality, race, class, age, ethnicity, religion, and nationality.
    1. Identify at least two variables that affect or are affected by gender.
    2. Articulate orally or in writing how at least two variables affect or are affected by gender.
  3. Demonstrate the ability, using feminist scholarship, to critique ideological assumptions underlying social institutions and systems.
    1. Identify and explain gender-related assumptions underlying social institutions and systems.
    2. Critique orally or in writing societal assumptions underlying gender from a feminist lens. 

Capstone Experience

Students pursing the gender and women’s studies minor will end their study with a one-credit capstone experience. The departmental designation of this course will vary, but the number will always be 492. See each semester's course offerings or the minor’s two-year course schedule to find the upcoming capstone courses.

Minor Requirements - 16 credit hours

Required Courses - 4 credit hours

SOC 357/SW 357Perspectives on Gender and the Body

3

Gender and Womens Studies Capstone

1

Upper Division Electives - 12 credit hours

Select from the following:
CST 411Communication Across Barriers

3

ENG 370Studies in Women Writers

3

ENG 401Seminar in British Literature I

3

GRM 401Multicultural Society in Germany

3

GRM 405German Women's Writing

3

HST 321Modern American Women's History

3

PHL 314Philosophy and Feminism

3

PHL 410Education and Politics

3

PHL 412Philosophy of Law

3

POL 319Politics and Identity

3

SOC 339Sociology of the Family

3

SOC 432Gender and Violence

3

SOC 436Women and Work

3

SPN 331Golden Age Spanish Literature and Culture

3

SPN 350Latin American Women's Voices

3

SPN 430Cervantes: Don Quixote and Beyond

3

SW 356/PSY 356Perspectives on Human Sexuality

3

THE 317/THE 417Trickery, Gender, Power, and Politics in the Bible

3

THE 331/THE 431Sexual Ethics

3

THTR 445History of Fashion

3

One time course offerings (designated 391/491) may fulfill the elective requirement if the topic is on Gender & Women's Studies. Please confirm yearly offerings with the program director.