Mission Statement
The Columbia College Women’s Studies Program supports Columbia College’s general mission of educating women in the liberal arts tradition by exploring feminist theories in academic contexts and by developing women as informed advocates for social justice. In the tradition of leadership development at Columbia College, the program encourages students to accept the risk of developing new perspectives, to embrace inclusive values, to seize opportunities, to advocate for social justice for women, and to develop insights into the role of feminism in contemporary culture. Through coursework, service, and experiential opportunities, the Women’s Studies Program provides a laboratory where students put into practice the college’s mission for the development of critical thought and expression, lifelong learning, acceptance of personal responsibility, and commitment to service and social justice.
The Minor in Women’s Studies at Columbia College
The minor in Women’s Studies is offered through the Women’s College, established in 1854 to address inequities in higher education opportunities for women. This interdisciplinary minor complements other coursework and helps prepare students for a variety of careers. Women interested in law, medicine, human services, education, politics, business, and the arts will be well prepared by the Women’s Studies minor, which encourages students to reconsider existing knowledge and to generate new knowledge by addressing issues of gender in their research and learning. Understanding the importance of gender helps women to build successful, fulfilling lives and careers and to promote social justice and gender equality.
Requirements for a Minor in Women's Studies:
16-19 semester hours at the 200 level or above nine of which may count in the degree specific General Education requirements.
Required courses are Women’s Studies 300 and 399LS, Psychology/Sociology 325, and 9 hours chosen from Art 364, Communication 360, Dance 364, English 340, English 355, French 451, History 215, History 340, History 405, History 435, Philosophy 200, Political Science 201, Political Science 350, Political Science 405, Religion 250, Religion 260, Spanish 451, or courses approved by the Women’s Studies Committee.
Required Courses:
Women’s Studies 300, Issues in Feminism.
(Prerequisite: LA 102.) A study of feminist theories and how they inform activism and practice. The course will give particular attention to the intersection between race/class/ethnicity/sexual orientation with gender in order to understand the complexity of defining feminisms and cultural models of the feminine. The course will address issues of significance to women, the contributions of outstanding women, and the role of women’s studies in the advancement of women. 3 s.h.
Psychology/Sociology 325,
Psychology and Sociology of Gender.
Sociological and psychological research and theories as related to gender are examined. Other topics may include gender role development, gender role stereotypes, gender differences in personality traits and mental health, relationship and work issues. (Also listed as Sociology/Social Work 325.) 3 s.h.
Women’s Studies 399LS,
Women’s Studies Leadership Semester
Women’s Studies Leadership Semester. (Prerequisite: junior standing, consent of instructor.) Practical, theoretical and critical experience in leadership as applied to the interdisciplinary field of Women’s Studies. Students may choose from: (1) practicum leadership project 1 s.h., (2) course-related leadership project 1 s.h., (3) community leadership project 1-4 s.h., or (4) student-proposed leadership project 1-4 s.h. Students must develop a Leadership Semester Proposal that indicates how their projects demonstrate leadership and/or offers them opportunities to develop as leaders based on The Columbia College Leadership Vision statement and the Four Cs of Leadership. Students will also present the results of their projects in a public forum and, after completing their projects, will write reflection papers which assess how their experiences helped them develop as leaders. 1-4 s.h
Resources
Melissa Walker Heidari, Ph.D.
Director of Women's Studies
Director of General Education
Associate Professor of English
803.786.3064
mheidari@colacoll.edu
