Women's Studies Program
Objectives
Undergraduate Program
Women's studies is an interdisciplinary
field that draws on the sciences, social sciences, humanities,
and the arts. The Women's Studies Program at Brandeis integrates
the study of women's lives and of gender with the general curriculum.
In addition to examining women's experiences and contemporary
feminist theory, the courses offered by the program encourage
students to address sexual, cultural, racial, and ethnic differences.
We welcome female and male students to explore these topics in
an interdisciplinary framework. Our goal is to provide a forum
in which multicultural and women's issues are discussed, debated,
and studied. Finally, we seek to create a community that offers
intellectual stimulation at Brandeis by hosting visiting exhibits
and scholars; sponsoring concerts, readings, lectures, symposia,
and conferences; publishing the Women's Studies Program newsletter,
Working Papers Series, All Sides of Ourselves; providing
student prizes and research opportunities and supporting other
gender-related student organizations such as Women's Month and
the Women's Resource Center.
Graduate Programs in Women's Studies
Interdisciplinary in design, the graduate programs aim to give students a solid grounding in their discipline-specific studies while offering them tools for incorporating women's studies into their research. Introducing students to the latest work in a variety of fields, women's studies offers the possibility of cross-disciplinary dialogue. This program enhances the ability of students to compete effectively for faculty openings in women's studies.
S = How to Become an Undergraduate Program Member
Because the courses in the Women's Studies Program are listed in many different departments, it is possible to add this program to most concentrations. Students should enroll in WMNS 5a, offered every fall, as early as possible in their career at Brandeis. A meeting is held every fall at which interested students can meet women's studies faculty and students to discuss the program. Because the program requirements, listed below, offer great flexibility in designing a course of study, each student should work with her or his women's studies faculty advisor to shape a program that addresses that student's interests. In the senior year, students complete a senior research paper on an approved topic that may also serve as a senior project or thesis in the student's concentration. Students register for the program by visiting the women's studies office and being assigned a women's studies advisor. They are then invited to participate in all women's studies events, including a monthly Women's Studies Program community meeting.
G = How to Be Admitted to the Graduate Program
The joint master's degree in
women's studies and a discipline has two options.
The first option is a joint
terminal master's degree in women's studies and anthropology,
women's studies and English and American literature, women's studies
and Near Eastern and Judaic studies, or women's studies and sociology.
Except in rare circumstances, this option is available only at
the time of admission. This degree option may require one or two
calendar years, depending on requirements in the affiliating program.
The second option is available to Brandeis graduate students who are enrolled in Ph.D. programs in American history, anthropology, comparative history, English and American literature, the Heller School, the Interdisciplinary Program of Literary Studies, music, Near Eastern and Judaic studies, psychology, and sociology. Students may elect a joint master's degree in women's studies and their program, with their advisor's permission as well as the agreement of the Women's Studies Program. This degree option replaces a master's degree in the student's program and may be entered at any time during the student's graduate career.
S = Committee
Shulamit Reinharz, Chair
(Sociology)
Pamela Allara
(Fine Arts)
Joyce Antler
(American Studies)
Silvia Arrom
(History)
Lynette Bosch
(Fine Arts)
Marc Brettler
(Near Eastern and Judaic Studies)
Bernadette Brooten
(Near Eastern and Judaic Studies)
Olga Broumas
(English and American Literature)
Mary Campbell
(English and American Literature)
Anne Carter
(Economics)
Eric Chafe
(Music)
Olga Davidson
(Near Eastern and Judaic Studies)
Mary Davis
(American Studies)
Susan Dibble
(Theater Arts)
Wai Chee Dimock
(English and American Literature)
Jyl Lynn Felman
(Women's Studies)
Sylvia Fishman
(Near Eastern and Judaic Studies)
Janet Giele
(Heller School and Sociology)
David Gil
(Heller School)
Karen Hansen
(Sociology)
Steven Harris
(History)
Erica Harth
(Romance and Comparative Literature)
Gila Hayim
(Sociology)
Deirdre Hunter
(Womenís Studies)
Sherry Israel
(Jewish Communal Service)
Jacqueline Jones
(History)
Hilda Kahne
(Heller School)
Jane Kamensky
(History)
Alice Kelikian
(History)
Thomas King
(English and American Literature)
Jytte Klausen
(Politics)
Karen Klein
(English and American Literature)
Ann Koloski-Ostrow
(Classical Studies)
Marty Wyngaarden Krauss
(Heller School)
Margie Lachman
(Psychology)
Sarah Lamb
(Anthropology)
Marya Lowry
(Theater Arts)
Victor Luftig
(English and American Literature)
Robin Miller
(Germanic and Slavic Languages)
Susan Moeller
(American Studies)
Phyllis Mutschler
(Heller School)
Julie Nelson
(Economics)
Jennifer Otsuki
(English and American Literature)
Jessie Ann Owens
(Music)
Richard Parmentier
(Anthropology)
Joan Press
(Biology)
Amélie Oksenberg Rorty
(History of Ideas)
Eli Sagan
(Sociology)
Nancy Scott
(Fine Arts)
Carmen Sirianni
(Sociology)
Faith Smith
(African and Afro-American
Studies)
Susan Staves
(English and American Literature)
Judith Tsipis
(Biology)
Joan Tucker
(Psychology)
Constance Williams
(Heller School)
Dessima Williams
(Sociology)
Leslie Zebrowitz
(Psychology)
S = Graduate Faculty Advisory Committee
Marc Brettler
(Near Eastern and Judaic Studies)
Bernadette Brooten
(Near Eastern and Judaic Studies)
Sylvia Fishman
(Near Eastern and Judaic Studies)
Karen Hansen
(Sociology)
Erica Harth
(Joint Program of Literary
Studies)
Jacqueline Jones
(History of American Civilization)
Alice Kelikian
(Comparative History)
Thomas King
(English and American Literature)
Karen Klein
(English and American Literature)
Sarah Lamb
(Anthropology)
Jessie Ann Owens
(Music)
Shulamit Reinharz
(Sociology)
Joan Tucker
(Psychology)
Constance Williams
(Heller School)
S = Requirements for the Undergraduate Program
A.
Successful completion of WMNS 5a, preferably by the junior year.
B. Four additional semester courses chosen from the list provided
below.
C.
A senior research paper on an approved topic.
Students are urged to take at least one course that focuses on minority and/or Third World women or gender issues. No more than one course on the family may count toward completion of the requirements for the program.
G = Requirements for the Joint Degree of Master of Arts in Anthropology and Women's Studies
Students who are candidates
for the joint degree of master of arts in anthropology and women's
studies must:
A.
Complete a foundational course in women's studies, chosen from
the women's studies elective list (indicated in the women's studies
program of this Bulletin by an asterisk).
B.
Complete ANTH 144a (The Anthropology of Gender).
C.
Complete two elective graduate courses in women's studies chosen
from the list of courses in the Bulletin, at least one
of which must be from a field other than anthropology.
D.
Complete ANTH 190a ([formerly ANTH 200a] History of Anthropological
Thought), and ANTH 193b ([formerly ANTH 203a] Contemporary Issues
in Anthropological Theory).
E.
Complete three additional elective graduate courses in anthropology,
selected with the approval of their advisor.
F.
Submit an acceptable master's research paper, dealing with a topic
related to both anthropology and women's studies, approved by
their advisor. The paper must be evaluated by their advisor and
one additional faculty member.
G.
Attendance at the year-long, non-credit, eight-part Women's Studies
Colloquium Series.
There is a residence requirement of one full year of course-work. There is no language requirement for the joint master's degree in anthropology and women's studies. Students interested in the joint degree program should consult with the anthropology department women's studies liaison.
G = Requirements for the Joint Degree of Master of Arts in English and American Literature and Women's Studies
A.
ENG 200a (Methods of Literary Study).
B.
WMNS 205a, or a foundational course in women studies, chosen from
the women's studies electives and indicated by an asterisk.
C.
Five additional courses in the English department selected from
100-level courses and graduate seminars (200-level courses). At
least two of these courses must be at the 200 level. One of these
five courses must be listed as an elective with the Women's Studies
Program.
D.
One women's studies course in a department other than the English
department.
E.
Attendance at the year-long, non-credit, eight-part Women's Studies
Colloquium Series.
F.
Language requirement: A reading knowledge of a major foreign language
(normally modern European or classical Greek or Latin) must be
demonstrated by passing a written translation examination. The
completion of the language requirement at another university does
not exempt the student from the Brandeis requirement.
G. Thesis requirement: This project must be 25-35 pages long. Papers written for course work, papers presented at conferences, and papers written specifically for the M.A. degree are all acceptable. The paper must engage a feminist perspective or deal with literary subjects appropriate to women's studies. The paper must satisfy the reader's standards for excellence in M.A. degree level work. Each paper will be evaluated by a reader for whom the paper was not originally written. For further information, contact the women's studies advisor in the English department.
G = Requirements for the Joint Degree of Master of Arts in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies and Women's Studies
Students interested in the
joint two-year terminal M.A. degree program must first be admitted
to the M.A. degree program in NEJS in the regular manner.
Program of Study
Courses must include a designated
foundational course in women's studies, one women's studies course
in NEJS, one women's studies course outside of NEJS, and the year-long,
non-credit, eight-part Women's Studies Colloquium Series. The
remaining courses must be jointly approved by each student's NEJS
advisor and by the NEJS women's studies advisor.
Residence Requirements
Ordinarily, two years of full-time
residence are required at the normal course rate of seven courses
each academic year. Students who enter with graduate credit from
other recognized institutions may apply for transfer credit for
up to four courses, or, with prior approval of the M.A. advisor,
candidates may receive transfer credit for up to four courses
for study at a university abroad.
Language Requirement
All candidates are required
to demonstrate proficiency in biblical or modern Hebrew or in
Arabic.
Comprehensive Examination
All candidates for the Master
of Arts degree are required to pass a comprehensive examination.
Thesis
In areas of NEJS that do not
require an M.A. thesis, students receiving a joint M.A. degree
in women's studies and NEJS must complete a research project on
an issue connected to women's studies.
Research Project
This project must be at least 25 pages long, in a format suitable for submission to a specific journal or for presentation at a professional conference. It may be a revision of a paper previously completed while enrolled in the M.A. degree program at Brandeis. It must concern a topic relevant to both NEJS and women's studies. The project is read by two faculty members within NEJS and by an additional member of the Women's Studies Program Committee. It must be defended before that three-person committee by the first week of May of the year in which the candidate intends to receive the degree. (Check the date with the Office of the University Registrar. It may vary with the academic calendar.) Once the project is found to be of acceptable M.A. degree quality, one copy of the project should be submitted to the women's studies office, and an additional copy should be deposited in the Brandeis Library.
G = Requirements for the Joint Degree of Master of Arts in Sociology and Women's Studies
Program of Study
The joint Master of Arts degree
in sociology and women's studies is a one-year (12-month) program.
Requirements include the completion of seven courses to be distributed
as follows: a designated foundational course in women's studies;
one graduate course outside sociology listed as an elective in
women's studies; one graduate sociology course listed as an elective
in women's studies; plus three other regular graduate sociology
courses (one methods, one theory, and one outside the area of
gender). Also required are a directed study focused on student
research, year-long attendance in the eight-part Women's Studies
Colloquium Series (non-credit), and submission of two substantial
M.A. papers or a thesis.
Residence Requirement
One year.
Language Requirement
There is no foreign language requirement for the joint master's degree.
G = Requirements for the Joint Degree of Master of Arts in Conjunction with Doctoral Programs for Brandeis Ph.D. Students Only
The length of time and the
number of courses required varies since programs have their own
requirements for a master's degree. Each program has a women's
studies advisor who works with students to develop their course
of study. Students are thus able to take full advantage of the
interdisciplinary nature of women's studies by designing an individualized
program that cuts across several fields.
WMNS 205a Graduate Foundational Course in Womenís Studies
This is an interdisciplinary
course offered through the Womenís Studies Program. It
includes presentation of feminist material in various fields.
Specific themes vary from year to year.
Additional Courses
Two courses cross-listed with
women's studies (one inside the student's program and one outside)
and two or more additional courses that can be non-women's studies
courses in the student's program.
Colloquium Series
Provides an opportunity for
students to hear a wide range of feminist scholars speak about
their work. Students are encouraged to participate in selecting
speakers whom they wish to hear.
Thesis
The thesis must have a women's
studies focus and be approved by both the student's program and
the Women's Studies Graduate Committee.
Additional Requirements
Students should consult the women's studies advisor from their program to ensure that all master's degree requirements in their program are satisfied.
S = Courses of Instruction
S = (1-99) Primarily for Undergraduate Students
WMNS 5a Women in Culture and Society: A Multidisciplinary Perspective
[ cl12 wi ss ]
Enrollment limited to 45.
This introductory, interdisciplinary course explores women's experiences in the United States and other societies, focusing on the diversity of women's lives. Basic social science assumptions and new feminist perspectives are used to examine a broad range of topics, fields, and issues. Usually offered every fall.
Ms. Felman
WMNS 92a Internship in Women's Studies: Prevention of Violence Against Women and Children
Prerequisite: WMNS 5a. Enrollment limited to 15.
This course combines fieldwork in violence prevention programs with a weekly seminar concerning violence against women and children. The seminar examines the tensions and commonalities between "family violence" and "feminist" approaches, with an emphasis on feminist scholarship. Usually offered every fall.
Staff
WMNS 98a Independent Study
Signature of the instructor required.
Independent readings, research, and writing on a subject of the student's interest under the direction of a faculty advisor. Usually offered every year.
Staff
WMNS 98b Independent Study
See WMNS 98a for special notes and course description. Usually offered every year.
Staff
WMNS 99a Senior Research
Signature of the instructor required.
Independent research and writing under faculty direction, for the purpose of completion of the senior research paper. Usually offered every year.
Staff
WMNS 99b Senior Research
See WMNS 99a for special notes and course description. Usually offered every year.
Staff
G = (100-199) For Both Undergraduate and Graduate Students
WMNS 180a Reading and Writing Autobiography
[ wi ss ]
Prerequisites: WMNS 5a. Enrollment limited to 20.
Explores the ways lives are embedded within their social and cultural contexts, how these contexts change over time and the ways men and women construct their lives. Particular focus will be on the impact of sexuality, race, and religion, with attention also given to class, gender, and ethnicity. Usually offered every year.
Ms. Felman
G = (200 and above) Primarily for Graduate Students
WMNS 205a Graduate Foundational Course in Womenís Studies
This is an interdisciplinary course offered through the Womenís Studies Program. It includes presentation of feminist material in various fields. Specific themes vary from year to year.
Staff
WMNS 299a Directed Readings in Women's Studies
Usually offered every year.
Staff
WMNS 299b Directed Readings in Women's Studies
Usually offered every year.
Staff
L =
Elective Courses
The following courses may be
counted among the four electives required for completion of the
program. They are not all given in any one year, and therefore
the Course Schedule for each semester should be consulted.
An asterisk (*) indicates a course approved as a foundational
course in women's studies.
AAAS 133b
The Literature of the Caribbean
AMST 118a
Gender and the Professions
AMST 121a
The American Jewish Woman:
1890-1990s
AMST 123b
Women in American History:
1865 to the Present
AMST 124b
American Love and Marriage
AMST 139b
Reporting on Gender, Race,
and Culture
AMST 150b
The Family in the United States
ANTH 127a
Medicine, Body, and Culture
ANTH 142a
AIDS in the Third World
ANTH 144a*
The Anthropology of Gender
BISC 2a
Human Reproduction, Population
Explosion, Global Consequences
COML 178b
Chinese Women Writers in the
Twentieth Century
COML 195a
Feminism and Film
COML 198a*
Feminist Theory in Literary
and Cultural Studies
ECON 58b
Gender and Economics
ENG 16a
Nineteenth-Century African-American
Literature: Texts and Contexts
ENG 116b
Eighteenth- and Nineteenth-Century
Afro-American Literature
ENG 134a
The Woman of Letters, 1600-1800
ENG 144b
The Body as Text: Castiglione
to Locke
ENG 147b
Modern Irish Literature
ENG 151a
Lesbian and Gay Studies: Desire,
Identity, and Representation
ENG 157b
American Women Poets
ENG 181a
Making Sex, Performing Gender
ENG 197b
The Political Novel in the
Twentieth Century
ENG 226a
Gender and the Public Sphere
ENG 230b*
Feminist Theory
ENG 240a
Sex and Culture
ENG 250a
Representations of Eighteenth-Century
Marriage: Literary Texts, Historical Documents
FA 19b
Lives of the Artists
FA 61b
Inventing Tradition: Women
as Artists, Women as Art
FA 131b
Center Stage: Women in Contemporary
American Art
FA 173a
Georgia O'Keeffe and Stieglitz
Circle
HIST 55b
The History of the Family
HIST 127a
Women, Sexuality, and Family
Life in Early Modern Europe
HIST 139a
Women, Gender, and Family
HIST 153a
Americans at Home: Families
and Domestic Environment, 1600 to the Present
HIST 154b
Women in American History:
A Survey, 1600-1865
HIST 187a*
Problems in American Women's
History
HIST 188b
Hidden Bonds of Womanhood:
Women in the South, 1830-1990
HIST 193b*
Anatomy, Sexualities, and Gender
HSSW 319a
Work, Individual and Social
Development, and Social Welfare
HSSW 326a*
Race, Class, and Gender
HSSW 333b
Feminism, Law, and Social Policy
HSSW 515a
Race/Ethnicity, Gender, and
Health Care Policy
HSSW 540b
Families, Work, and the Changing
Economy
HSSW 549a
Family Policy
LGLS 120a
Sex Discrimination and the
Law
LGLS 126b
Marriage, Divorce, and Parenthood
MUS 58b
Construction of Gender in Opera
MUS 150a
The Women and Music, Past and
Present: Style, Identity, Culture
NEJS 115b*
Women and the Bible
NEJS 148b
Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual
Jews and Christians: Sources and Interpretations
NEJS 153b
History of Jewish and Christian
Women in the Roman Empire
NEJS 172a
Women in American Jewish Literature
NEJS 174b*
Changing Roles of Women in
American Jewish Life
NEJS 176a
Seminar in American Jewish
Fiction: Literary Readings: Roth and Ozick
NEJS 191b
Revisioning Jewish Life in
Film and Fiction
NEJS 195b
The Women's Voice in the Muslim
World
NEJS 237b
Gender and Jewish Studies
POL 159a
Seminar: The Politics of the
Modern Welfare State: Women, Workers, and Social Citizenship
PSYC 160b
Seminar on Sex Differences
RECS 137a
The Heroine in Nineteenth-Century
Russian Literature
SOC 105a
Feminist Critiques of American
Society
SOC 112a
Topics on Women and Development
SOC 117a
Sociology of Work
SOC 127a
Theories in Social Psychology
SOC 130a
Families
SOC 131b
Women's Biography and Society
SOC 134a
Women and Intellectual Work
SOC 166a
Freud, Women, and Society
SOC 169b
Issues in Sexuality
SOC 171a
Women Leaders and Transformation
in Developing Countries
SOC 207a*
Feminist Theory
SOC 223a
Sociology of Work and Gender
SPAN 192a
Contemporary Hispanic Womenís
Fiction in Translation
L =
Through cross-registration, additional courses are available to graduate students from the Graduate Consortium in Women's Studies at Radcliffe College. In some cases students may apply to the Women's Studies Program to use a course offering from the consortium to fulfill their foundational course requirement.