Spring 2023 WPPL Courses

The following courses are approved for the Women, Policy and Political Leadership (WPPL) Undergraduate and Graduate Certificate Programs.

Core 3-Credit Courses

Core 1-Credit Courses

GOVT 282.001
Introduction to Women & Politics
Karen O’Connor
SECT Dates: 01/28/2023 - 01/29/2023
Saturday and Sunday (1-2) 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Online

This course is an intensive introduction to women and politics. Students in the course gain an understanding of the historical struggle of women for political, economic, and educational rights, as well as the major actors who were or continue to be involved in these efforts.

GOVT 485/685
Women, Politics and Media
Amanda Fuchs Miller
SECT Dates: 02/11/2023 - 02/12/2023
Saturday and Sunday (1-2) 9:00AM–5:00PM | Online

This course acquaints students with important issues dealing with women, politics, and the media. While the numbers are improving, women are still underrepresented as candidates and elected officials, as well as on the campaign trail as political journalists. Critics argue that news stories about women candidates, elected officials, and women's issues often fail to generate the same amount of coverage, and when they are covered by the media, they receive distinctly different coverage. This class gives students the opportunity to weigh the evidence surrounding these assertions by investigating the academic research, hearing first-hand accounts from experts in the field, and looking at real-life examples to examine the differences in political coverage.

GOVT 485/685
Gender Identity Politics: Moving Toward a Reflective Democracy
China Dickerson
SECT Dates: 02/18/2023 - 02/19/2023
Saturday and Sunday, 9:00AM–5:00PM | Online

This discussion will be introduced by first understanding the history of elections in this country and how those elected were specific to the times that we “needed” them. Reflecting on our history, we will specifically highlight the lack of women representation at the top of the ballot, exploring the why and nuances of how voters choose their political leaders using, intentionally or subconsciously, identity politics. Because a discussion on identity is incomplete without addressing intersectionality, this course will include conversations about race, culture, and economic class. Not just focusing on the top of the ballot, we will also consider congressional members, mayors, and even state’s attorneys.

GOVT 485/685.003
The Politics of Reproductive Rights
Karen O’Connor
SECT Dates: 02/25/2023 - 02/26/2023
Saturday and Sunday (1-2) 9:00AM–5:00PM | Online

This class will examine the history of reproductive rights including contraceptives and abortion. With the recent U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark ruling that established the constitutional right to abortion, we will try to evaluate where these rights are today. Experts on both sides of these issues will speak to the class. 

GOVT 485/685.002
Women and the Levers of Influence: Understanding Influence to Shape Outcomes and Create the Life and Career You Want
Laura Cox Kaplan
SECT Dates: 04/15/2023 - 04/16/2023
Saturday and Sunday, 9:00AM–5:00PM | Online

This course will increase students’ awareness of the essential building blocks to increase personal influence. We will discuss personal development tools, models, and frameworks -- many of which have been designed with the unique challenges present for women. Crosslist: GOVT-685

Changemakers: Women’s Rights Movements in the Developing World
Fatema Ahmadi and Fatema Ahmadi
February 11th, 12th, 18th, and March 4th between 10:00AM – 1:15PM

Women in different parts of the world have diverse opportunities, challenges, and goals but there is one thing is common between women in the Global South and the Global North and it’s their solidarity when women’s rights are at risk. One approach for increasing bonding between women and men in the US and women in developing countries is improving the knowledge about the current circumstances of women in developing countries. This course will help students understand their potential role in women’s rights advocacy around the world, particularly women in the Global South.

Additional 3-Credit Courses

AFAM-350-004 History of Black Women in Us
AFAM-350-005 Feminist Artists of Diaspora
ANTH-215.001/002 Sex, Gender & Culture
ECON-374.001 Gender Roles and the Economy
HLTH-323.001/002 Issues in Women's Health
JLC-435/635.001 Gender and the Law
PHIL-416/616.001 Feminist Philosophy
SISU-260.001/002/003 Identity, Race, Gender & Culture
SISU-310.001 Gender and Peace Building
SIS-619.012 Gender, Peace, and Security
WGSS-225.001/002/003 Gender, Politics & Power
WGSS-340.001 Approaches to Queer Studies
WGSS-350-001 Decolonial Feminisms/Arab Wrld
WGSS-350-004 Feminist Artists of Diaspora
WGSS-350-006 Global Feminist Selves
WGSS-350-007 Doctors, Doulas, and Midwives
WGSS-350-008 Geo of Gender/Dev in Africa
WGSS-350-009 Spain: Long Walk to Equality
WGSS-400/600.001 Feminist, Gender, Sexuality Theory
WGSS-491/691.001 Internship

Additional 1-Credit Courses

SPA-085.901 Media Skills Training

Fall 2022 WPPL Courses

The following courses are approved for the Women, Policy and Political Leadership (WPPL) Undergraduate and Graduate Certificate Programs.

Core 3-Credit Courses

Feminist Political Theory
Sarah Houser
Wednesdays 2:30 PM - 5:20 PM

Feminist Political Theory (3) This course traces the major debates in feminist political theory and their roots in liberalism, communitarianism, Marxism, post-modernism, and other schools of thought and examines the ways in which feminist political theory can inform current policy debates concerning women. Restriction: minimum 2.5 GPA. Note: One course in political theory, philosophy, or women's and gender studies required.

Core 1-Credit Courses

GOVT 485/685 America's First Ladies: The Role of Time, Culture, and Personal Stories on their Influence and Legacies
Diana Carlin
Sat & Sat | Sep 17 & Oct 29, 9AM-5PM

America's first ladies are more than fashion, social gatherings, and supporting their husbands. Since Martha Washington defined the role as it fit her background and the times, every first lady has adapted the role in a similar way. However, there are some traditions and approaches that go back to the Washington era. This course examines the ways that the historical context, culture and women's roles, and the first lady's personal story--including her marital relationship--all affect how she carries out the role and influences both the presidency and American history.

GOVT 485/685 Women, Citizenship, and the ERA
Rebecca DeWolf
SECT Dates: 9/24/2022 and 9/25/2022
Saturday and Sunday (1-2) 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Online

This course explores the Equal Rights Amendment’s (ERA) past and present. Bringing together information from areas of history, law, gender studies, and political science, it invites students to consider what is next for the ERA and gives students the opportunity to look back on the ERA’s legacy. Crosslist: GOVT-685-001.

GOVT 485/685 Women and Policy
Kate Black
SECT Dates: 10/01/2022 and 10/22/2022
Saturday and Saturday (1-2) 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Online

This course examines the intersection of gender and public policy. How do women impact policy differently than men? Or not at all? Students will explore current research on the subject, identify a specific policy issue to discuss how gender either does or does not affect a desired policy outcome, and consider what policy-making looks like in the future as more women hold leadership positions. Crosslist: GOVT-685-002.

GOVT 485/685 Women and the 2022 Elections
Karen O’Connor
SECT Dates: 11/19/2022 - 11/20/2022
Saturday and Sunday (1-2) 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Online

This class will analyze the results of the 2022 elections and the local, state and federal levels focusing on several questions including: How did women fare? How did women vote? How successful were groups and PACs in their efforts to elect women? And, what’s next?

Additional 3-Credit Courses

ANTH-215.001/.002 Sex, Gender & Culture
ECON-374.001 Gender Roles and the Economy
ECON-675.001 Gender Economics II
GOVT 486/686.001 Feminist Political Theory
HIST-215.001 Social Forces that Shaped America 
HLTH-323.001 Issues in Women’s Health
JLC-435/635.001 Gender and the Law
SIS-648.001 Gender and Development
SISU-260.001/002/003 Identity, Race, Gender & Culture
SISU-348.001 Gender and Development
WGSS-225.001/002/003 Gender, Politics & Power
WGSS-350.001 Adv Perspec: Masc Theory
WGSS-350.002 Gay and Lesbian Documentary
WGSS-350.003 Sex Ed Through a Literacy Lens
WGSS-350.005 Black Girlhoods
WGSS-350.006 Geo of Gender/Dev in Africa
WGSS-400.001/600.001 Feminist, Gender, Sexuality Thry
WGSS-491/691.001 Internship

Additional 1-Credit Courses

SPA 085.002 Media Skills Training
WGSS 315.002 Colloquium in WGSS