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Sociology and Criminology
Women's Studies Program

Dedicated to the study of women's issues, experiences, and contributions.

Women's Studies Minor  | Events  |  Course Descriptions  |  Faculty

In a world in which women are increasingly influential in cultural, social, political, and economic environments, Women’s Studies provides the opportunity to become aware of and to investigate the macro and micro processes in these global changes. Students will gain skills in analytical and critical thinking in studying the role of gender from diverse academic perspectives, such as literature, religion, economics, communications, sociology, psychology, history, sports, criminology, and more. The learning experience focuses on engaged, active, and service learning, and internships are available. Faculty members from a number of academic departments support and teach in the Women’s Studies program. A minor in Women’s Studies will complement almost any major field of study, enhancing leadership skills of its students by heightening their awareness and knowledge of gender issues. 
Faculty members are active and support the program which has included teaching courses, writing a textbook, Interdisciplinary Perspectives in Women's Studies, and presenting papers at professional conferences and meetings (Valdosta State University, American Assoc. of University Women regional and state meetings).

Sharon Masters (left), coordinator of the Women's Studies Program, congratulates, Cristina Watson, the first student to graduate with a minor in Women's Studies at Florida Southern College. (Spring 2005)

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Women's Studies Minor
The Women's Studies Minor will afford students the opportunity to investigate the extent to which gender, race, class, ethnicity, and sexuality have affected women's access to cultural, social, political, and economic resources. It emphasizes independent and critical thinking, which provides excellent preparation for graduate school. Pursuing a minor in Women's Studies complements any major, expands career opportunities, and enhances leadership skills by heightening awareness and empathy for gender issues within all fields of study. 
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Minor Requirements (see course descriptions)

WST 2200
Introduction to Women ’s Studies
WST 3300
Women in Contemporary Culture
Eight hours selected from the following courses:
WST/SOC 2220
Marriage and Family
WST/REL 2256
Gender, Interpretation and the Biblical Tradition
WST/ENG 3370
Literature by Women
Four hours selected from courses such as:
ENG 3340
Myth and Legend
HIS 3415
History of the Middle East
REL/PHI 2219
World Religions and Philosophies
WST 4960
Internship
WST 4961
Internship
Total hours in the minor 20


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Events

  • Internships

  • Florida Lecture Series

  • Melvin Art Gallery

  • Polk Museum of Art:

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Course Descriptions

WST   2200   INTRODUCTION TO WOMEN’S STUDIES
Four hours.   Taught by a team of professors from different disciplines, this class presents a variety of perspectives about the roles of women in such diverse fields as art, biology, business, criminology, economics, history, law, literature, music, philosophy, political science, psychology, religion, and sociology. In the liberal arts tradition, students develop awareness about issues in women’s studies and engage in analysis of these issues from various scholarly perspectives. Collections of readings in each discipline, which represent past and present contexts, form the basis for discussion and critical thinking.   Gen Ed: SW (Glb, Aw, An), Ql

WST   2220   MARRIAGE AND FAMILY
Four hours.   Same as SOC 2220. Sociology/social psychology introduction to the study of marriage and family, emphasizing theoretical perspectives, research and application, based on the American family with comparisons to other selected cultures. Topics include history, structure, and functions of the family, as well as mate selection and courtship, transitions, marital interaction, sexual relationships, parenting, role differentiation, violence, dissolution, and restructuring. Objectives are to analyze topics based on the academic principles of sociology and social psychology and to make applications to social and personal levels. A service learning component is required.   Gen Ed: SW (Glb, Aw, An), Ql

WST   2256   GENDER, INTERPRETATION AND THE BIBLICAL TRADITION
Four hours.   Same as REL 2256. An examination of selected texts from the Old and New Testaments and the patriarchal contexts of the Ancient Near East and the Greco-Roman Empire. Using historical critical methodologies to interpret the Biblical text, students will determine the ways in which women are depicted, identify gender roles from the historical context, and explain the function of feminine imagery in the text.   Gen Ed: MV, SW (Aw, An), FA (In)

WST   3300   WOMEN IN CONTEMPORARY CULTURE
Four hours.   This team-taught course brings together academic areas, such as sociology, music and communications, in an interdisciplinary effort to explore the roles, images and contributions of women in contemporary culture. The common threads are the roles of women in producing and experiencing culture and the cultural production of women’s roles and images. While contemporary culture is the focus, each segment of the course is built upon relevant historical foundations. Full-participation classes are designed to bring the individual topics together in synthesizing analyses.   Gen Ed: SW (Glb, Aw), Ql, EC-B

WST   3340   MYTH AND LEGEND
Four hours.   Same as ENG 3340. Prerequisite: Successful completion of coursework that satisfies Effective Communication SLOs A and B. Study of myths and legends of various cultures.   Gen Ed: MV, SW (Aw), Ql, EC-C

WST   3370   LITERATURE BY WOMEN
Four hours.   Same as ENG 3370. Prerequisite: Successful completion of coursework that satisfies Effective Communication SLOs A and B. Survey of literature by selected women writers from the Middle Ages to the present.   Gen Ed: SW (Glb, Aw, An), FA (In), Ql, EC-C

WST   4960   INTERNSHIP
Four hours.   Prerequisites: Junior or Senior Status, Minor in Women’s Studies, Permission of Instructor. An offsite exploration in a women’s studies-related field that is designed to integrate academic learning with actual application in the field and to provide students with professional experience in preparation for post-baccalaureate studies and/or future employment in the field.  

WST   4961   INTERNSHIP
Four hours.   Prerequisites: Junior or Senior Status, Minor in Women’s Studies, Permission of Instructor. An offsite exploration in a women’s studies-related field that is designed to integrate academic learning with actual application in the field and to provide students with professional experience in preparation for post-baccalaureate studies and/or future employment in the field.  

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For More Information, contact:

Sharon Kay Masters, Ph.D.
Coordinator
Phone: 863-680-4268
Fax: 863-616-6407
Email: smasters@flsouthern.edu 

Florida Southern College faculty
who have participated in the Women's Studies Program
Joan Buccino Barbara Giles Nancy Morvillo Risdon Slate
Paula Buck Sara Harding Carole Obermeyer Alan Smith
Larry Burke Frank Hodges Paula Parsché Patrick Smith
Susan Conner Keith Huneycutt Mary Pharr Diane Stahl
Mike Denham Luis Jimenez Jim Rogers Sue Stanley-Green
Catherine Eskin Jo Jossim John Santosuosso Katherine Straw
Mary Flekke Mavra Kear Rebecca Saulsbury Chris Weaver
Carmen Gauthier Eric Kjellmark Dan Silber Waite Willis
Brenda Lewis Claudia Slate
Sharon Kay Masters, Director

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