Director, Associate Professor Elizabeth Leonard

Appointments in Women's Studies: Associate Professor Lyn Brown; Assistant Professor Pamela Thoma; Faculty Fellow Heidi Kim

Program Faculty for Women's Studies: Terry Arendell (Sociology), Debra Barbezat (Economics), Kimberly Besio (East Asian Studies), Betsy Brown (Development and Biology), Lyn Brown (Education and Women's Studies), Cedric Bryant (English), Cheshire Calhoun (Philosophy), Debra Campbell (Religious Studies), Suellen Diaconoff (French), Priscilla Doel (Spanish), Cheryl Townsend Gilkes (Sociology and African-American Studies), Linda Goldstein (Development and American Studies), Jill Gordon (Philosophy), Leonard (History), Eva Linfield (Music), Howard Lupovitch (History), Phyllis Mannocchi (English), Margaret McFadden (American Studies), Mary Beth Mills (Anthropology), Jane Moss (French), Elisa Narin van Court (English), Laurie Osborne (English), Adrianna Paliyenko (French), Tamae Prindle (East Asian Studies), Marilyn Pukkila (Library), Tarja Raag (Psychology), Elizabeth Sagaser (English), Betty Sasaki (Spanish), Maritza Straughn-Williams (Anthropology), Nikky Singh (Religious Studies), Katherine Stubbs (English), Larissa Taylor (History), Pamela Thoma (American Studies and Women's Studies), and Joylynn Wing (Theater and Dance)

Colby's Women's Studies Program is a progressive interdisciplinary program designed to acquaint students with recent scholarship on women, gender, sexuality, and feminist theory. Women's studies courses typically examine the way gender is culturally constructed; explore important race, class, and sexuality differences among women; equip students to analyze critically systematic constraints on women's lives; and explore women's historical and cultural contributions as well as their psychology and biology. In addition to the core women's studies courses, faculty across the College offer a wealth of courses in the humanities, social sciences, and sciences that are cross-listed with women's studies.

Interdisciplinary feminist study demands a broad range of course work that helps students explore diverse interests and draw important connections across and distinctions between disciplines and fields. A women's studies major graduates with a program of study that is often unique to the student's developing interests.

Students may pursue a major or a minor in women's studies. Descriptions for courses cross-listed with women's studies are listed under the various departments.

Requirements for the Major in Women's Studies
Thirteen courses including Women's Studies 113 or 275 or 276; 221; 311; 493; and nine additional courses designated as women's studies courses or courses cross-listed under women's studies, at least two of which must be at the 300 or 400 level. Because the connection between theory and practice is central to women's studies, majors are strongly encouraged to undertake an internship related to women's studies. Majors may also petition the director to have a non-listed course counted toward the major by demonstrating that the majority of their own coursework was on women's studies topics. Students may count toward fulfillment of the major requirements either one independent study (Women's Studies 491, 492) or two semesters of honors work (Women's Studies 483, 484) or Senior Scholars work up to the equivalent of two courses (if approved by women's studies) or one internship for which three or four academic credits have been earned.

Majors are required to maintain a women's studies journal. See the program director for a description of the requirements for the journal.

The point scale for retention of the major applies to all courses taken toward fulfillment of the major. Courses counted toward the major may not be taken satisfactory/unsatisfactory.

Honors in Women's Studies
Seniors majoring in women's studies may apply to the Women's Studies Coordinating Committee (WSCC) for the honors program by April 15 of their junior year. A 3.5 major average at the end of the junior year is a condition for entry into the program. A 3.5 major average at the end of the senior year, a public oral presentation of the project, and approval of the WSCC are conditions for successful completion.

Requirements for the Minor in Women's Studies
A minimum of seven courses in at least two departments, to include an introductory course (Women's Studies 113, 275, or 276); 221; 311; 493, and at least one additional course at the 300 or 400 level. Students may count toward fulfillment of the minor requirements one three- or four-credit hour internship or one independent study (Women's Studies 491 or 492) or Senior Scholars work up to the equivalent of two courses (if approved by women's studies).

Minors are required to maintain a women's studies journal. See the program director for a description of the requirements for the journal.

The point scale for retention of the minor applies to all courses taken toward fulfillment of the minor. Courses counted toward the minor may not be taken satisfactory/unsatisfactory.

COURSE OFFERINGS

097j    Sexual Violence and its Impact    During this 40 hour course, taught by a staff member of Rape Crisis Assistance and Prevention in Waterville, students will be sensitized to the emotional, psychological, physical, and social impacts of sexual violence. Topics of discussion will range from communication, advocacy, and crisis intervention to state laws and mental health issues. The dynamics and effects of various types of sexual violence are covered and include the following: sexual harassment, incest, child sexual abuse, date rape, stalking, acquaintance rape, and intimate partner abuse. Students will gain much of the knowledge, understanding, and skills necessary to provide services to the Rape Crisis Helpline, a sexual violence helpline serving northern Kennebec and Somerset Counties. Note: this is an emotionally intense and demanding training course. It is recommended that participants have adequate support systems to assist in dealing with stress that may be encountered due to participation. Rape Crisis understands that many participants have been exposed to sexual violence in their lives; however, it may not be a positive experience for a person actively engaged in the healing process. Noncredit.     LEONARD

113f    Introduction to Women's Literature and Feminist Criticism    An introduction to the practice of feminist criticism and to women's literature. The impact of feminist criticism on literary studies; fiction, prose, and drama by women writers from various countries. Four credit hours.  L, D.    MOSS

211j    Women in Myth and Fairy Tale    How are women portrayed in the myths and fairy tales of Western cultures? What is the impact of these images on our selves and our society? What are some alternatives to the images we are familiar with? Are there innate "women's ways of heroism" that have been denigrated or ignored by patriarchal systems, or is such a gender distinction purely a social construct? These questions are explored through close examination of ancient and contemporary versions of the stories of Psyche, Beauty, and Inanna. Native American stories and feminist fairy tales provide alternative images for discussion, as will various video versions of the stories. Normally offered every other year. Three credit hours.  L, D.    PUKKILA

221s    Gender, Race, and the Politics of Difference    From an interdisciplinary perspective, the course examines how women have responded to the relationships among gender, race, ethnicity, sexuality, and class, with special emphasis on feminist contributions to understanding the politics of difference. How assertions and denials of difference have defined "woman" and the priorities of feminist activism in the United States. Four credit hours.  D.    KIM

275f    Gender and Popular Culture    Listed as American Studies 275 (q.v.). Four credit hours.  D.    MCFADDEN

276j    Sociology of Gender    Listed as Sociology 276 (q.v.). Four credit hours.    BLAKE

311f    Seminar in Feminist Theory    Major developments in feminist theory, beginning with a brief historical context and then taking a thematic approach. Theories include liberal, radical, and materialist feminisms; Third World feminisms; feminism and psychoanalysis; feminist film theory; and feminist encounters with postmodernisms. Four credit hours.  D.    KIM

[315]    Contemporary Asian American Women Writers    Contemporary fiction, autobiography, poetry, essay, and video by Asian-American women with particular attention to specific cultural contexts. From a minority discourse approach, an exploration of Asian-American women's significant contributions and responses to panethnicity, feminism, and multiculturalism. Texts are thematically organized around the topics of immigration and nationalism, family and community relations, gender and sexual identity, and labor and cultural resistance. Also listed as American Studies 315. Four credit hours.  L, D.    

483f, 484s    Senior Honors Project    An independent research project on an approved topic, conducted in close consultation with a faculty tutor and culminating in a substantial written thesis. Students are responsible for selecting their faculty tutor and submitting their proposal by April 15 of their junior year. A 3.5 major average at the end of the senior year is a condition of successful completion of the program. Prerequisite: Senior standing, a 3.5 major average at the end of the junior year, and permission of the Women's Studies Program. Three or four credit hours.    FACULTY

491f, 492s    Independent Study    Individual study of special problems in women's studies in areas where the student has demonstrated the interest and competence necessary for independent work. The instructor must be one of the program faculty members in women's studies. Prerequisite: Women's studies major or minor, permission of the instructor, and approval of the Women's Studies Program. Three or four credit hours.    FACULTY

493s    Women's Studies Senior Seminar    Independent research projects done under the supervision of the seminar leader with weekly seminar discussions focusing on feminist methodology. Development of common themes with readings, discussion of research projects, and presentations. Students should have formulated their research topic prior to beginning the course. Four credit hours.  D.    BROWN