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Course Catalog 2008-2009 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Gender, Sexuality. and Feminist Studies
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 Return to: College of Arts and Sciences
Anuradha Dingwaney Needham, Director, 2008-09
Affiliate Faculty:
Ann Cooper Albright, Professor, Theatre and Dance
Joyce Babyak, Assoc. Professor, Religion
Pamela Brooks, Assoc. Professor, African American Studies
Jennifer Bryan, Asst. Professor, English
Cynthia Chapman, Asst. Professor, Religion
Hsui-Chuang Deppman, Asst. Professor, East Asian Studies
Eric Estes, Director of Multicultural Resource Center
Jennifer Fraser, Asst. Professor, Ethnomusicology, Conservatory of Music
Meredith Gadsby, Asst. Professor, African American Studies
Frances S. Hasso, Assoc. Professor, Sociology
Yumi Ijiri, Assoc. Professor, Physics
Daphne John, Assoc. Professor, Sociology
Gillian Johns, Assoc. Professor, English
Shelley Lee, Asst. Professor, Comparative American Studies
Margaret Kamitsuka, Assoc. Professor, Religion
Wendy Kozol, Professor, Comparative American Studies
Patricia Mathews, Professor, Art
Claudia Macdonald, Ethnomusicology, Conservatory of Music
Pablo Mitchell, Assoc. Professor, History and Comparative American Studies
Patrick O’Connor, Assoc. Professor, Hispanic Studies
Meredith Raimondo, Asst. Professor, Comparative American Studies
Rebecca Whelan, Asst. Professor, Chemistry
The Gender, Sexuality, and Feminist Studies (GSFS) major provides extensive methodological and theoretical training in scholarship central to the study of gender, sexualities, and feminisms. The major is administered by the GSFS Institute, comprised of a Director and Affiliate Faculty from throughout the College of Arts and Sciences and from the Conservatory of Music. The Institute’s goal is to facilitate interdisciplinary teaching and research focused on women, gender, sexuality, and feminisms across the disciplines
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Major (30 Credits)
The major is comprised of three required courses (at least one gateway course, Feminist Research Methodologies, and at least one advanced seminar) and elective courses chosen in the student’s area of interest. Gateway courses are designated 100- and 200-level courses (3-4 credits) from throughout the curriculum focusing on women, gender, and sexuality that introduce students to key concepts in feminist studies including social construction theory, power and inequality, agency and resistance, positionality, and intersectionality. No more than 7 credit hours may be taken at the 100 level. Feminist Research Methodologies (4 credits) will be offered every year and will be taught by rotating GSFS Affiliate Faculty. In this advanced course, students study feminist and other approaches to research practices and develop a research proposal. Advanced seminars are designated 300- and 400-level courses (3-4 credits) that address gender, sexuality and feminist theories or scholarship as a central component. Elective courses, primarily at the 200 and 300 level, are designated by the GSFS Institute to provide depth and breadth for the major. Of the approximately 18 elective course credits, students must take courses in at least two different departments or programs. It is also strongly recommended that majors take no more than fifteen credits in one department or program, and that majors select clases that provide a variety of methodologies and approaches.
Students wishing to declare a Gender, Sexuality, and Feminist Studies major should select a faculty advisor from the list of approved advisors for the GSFS Institute. After consultation with her/his advisor, each student submits a rationale and list of courses for approval to the Institute’s Standing Committee on Majors. This Committee also reviews student requests to count up to two courses that do not necessarily have a gender or sexuality focus but that provide students with background in their areas of specialization. Other Oberlin courses not designated in the catalog as GSFS courses may be permitted to count toward the major. To request such permission, students must submit a Request Form and a class syllabus to the Director of the Institute. See the GSFS website for more details and forms.
A minimum grade of C- is required for a course to fulfill the major. A maximum of ten credits from other institutions or study away programs can be approved toward the major. Students interested in a double major should be aware that courses may count toward majors in both GSFS and the department or program of origin.
Independent Projects
Independent projects may be supervised by faculty members in departments and programs throughout the curriculum. Students wishing to do an independent project as part of their GSFS major must submit a prospectus to the Institute’s Standing Committee on Majors for approval. Interested majors are encouraged to use the Feminist Research Methodologies course to develop their prospectus for independent projects. Honors
The Institute offers majors the opportunity for recognition of distinguished achievement in research and writing in gender, sexuality and feminist studies. Students will be considered for honors based on their performance in the major and the quality of an independent research project. Students are encouraged to consult with their advisor about this opportunity by the end of their junior year. (See the GSFS website for more information on the criteria for projects eligible for honors.)
Minor (15 Credits)
The minor consists of one gateway course, with the rest of the credits to be selected from the designated list of other gateway courses, advanced seminars, and elective classes. No more than five credits may be transferred toward the minor. Minors are encouraged to include a gender-related Winter Term project in their course of study.
Winter Term
When GSFS Affiliate Faculty are on duty for Winter Term, they sponsor GSFS-related Winter Term projects in their or a student’s areas of interest. Project focus and requirements (beyond college guidelines) are determined between the student and faculty member in advance.
Field Experience and Study Away
We recommend that students consider taking a field experience course and participate in a study-away program related to gender, sexuality, and feminist issues. A range of off-campus, study away, and study abroad options and internships offer excellent opportunities to GSFS students. These possibilities include study in foreign languages, social change and social justice organizing, community service, and non-profit work. Winter Term, summer, or semester opportunities are possible. Contact the Director for campus resources in these areas. Note regarding course selection
NOTE: GSFS courses listed as “gateway” or “advanced” can also be considered as “electives;” however, no more than seven credit hours of 100-level courses will count towards the major. Gateway Courses
At least one gateway course is required for the major or minor.
- RHET 112 - Queering the Reel
Elective Courses
Of the approximately 18 elective course credits, students must take courses in at least two different departments or programs.
Feminist Research Methodologies
This is a required course for majors and will be offered once a year. SOCI 305 - Feminist Research Methodologies Advanced Seminars
At least one advanced seminar is required for the major. Students can petition to have a seminar count for this requirement that is not on this list.
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Return to: College of Arts and Sciences
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