The student will be able to:

1. Evaluate the original impetus for the women's movement in this country and how the goals have evolved throughout its more recent history due to the impact of growing multiculturalism and diversity of ideas within the movement, as well as an increasing acceptance of the movement's goals among both men and women.
2. Document the major events in the history of feminism, the role of male landowners in this country's founding, the gradual extension of voting and other rights, and the major events in the history of this country's immigration, and how these events have shaped the history of the women's movement in this country.
3. Analyze the rhetoric of past and current women's movements such as the 19th century Women's Movement, the Suffrage Movement, Women's Liberation, and the rise of more recent, highly-focused movements espousing specific goals and ideologies, and to encourage broad-based sensitivity to both the events of the past and the programs of the future.
4. Relate the major achievements and accomplishments of women and men in the spectrum of professional endeavors that have increased the quality and pace of societal advancement in this country, and how that has led to more substantial participation of women and minorities in these fields.
5. Evaluate the impact of the women's movement generally, and individual groups' successes specifically, on American society, and the rise of the notion of shared power and responsibility reflecting the demographics of our country.
6. Explore multi- and cross-cultural history, ideologies, and roles relative to personal and cultural identification, ethnocentricity, race, communication, media portrayal, values, social mores, political agendas, family values, employment issues, and education, and how cultures and peoples interact and coexist in American society.
7. Enhance the overall appreciation and respect accorded to diverse cultural groups, and how those different backgrounds may dictate distinct expectations and goals among otherwise similarly-situated women, by specifically examining the societal roles, value systems, and cultural dynamics of African-Americans, Hispanic-Americans, Native-Americans, Asian-Americans, and European-Americans.
8. Apply the cognitive and verbal skills gained throughout the course to evaluate the current state of contemporary social and cultural relations among the various cultures and genders, and to predict future trends and/or potential problems.

1. History of women's movement
   1. Analysis of tone and language of historical writings and current events
   2. Study of significant issues leading to women's movement and the continuing developments arising from the impact of newer constituencies, as well as the explicit and implicit societal resistance to change
   3. Learn about great women political thinkers, leaders, and activists who have significantly shaped our society, from early inventors to present day role models, emphasizing recent contributions from a diverse range of women
   4. Examination of cross-cultural perspectives to the goals and needs of the women's movement, its continuing vitality, and its evolving goals, and the evolving social interaction of men and women
   5. Study of the impact of women's roles in society due to the influences of biosocial and multicultural elements relating the individual and educational functions, and the cognitive, verbal and sensitivity similarities and differences among genders and cultures
   6. Appraisal of the expanding role of women and men in the workplace, particularly since World War II, and how this impacts the culture of business, the efforts to ease gender- and race-based discrimination, and the adaptation of employee benefits and support programs
   7. Evaluation of the "export" of women's issues to foreign nations and the impact on the worldwide women's movement
2. Feminism and gender relations
   1. Women and work
   2. Women and male-female relations
3. Multiculturalism and cultural dynamics
   1. Gender and race
   2. Gender, socio-economic class, and multiculturalism
4. Sociology and social relations
   1. Women and motherhood
   2. Women and marriage
   3. Lesbian, gay, transgendered, and transsexual relations
5. History, with a focus on the American experience
   1. Women and the American experience
   2. The Suffrage Movement
   3. Backlash and the impacts of feminism on American history
6. Psychology and human behavior
7. Philosophy and political thought
   1. Women and religion
   2. Women and politics
8. Science and scientific achievements

Not applicable.

Written examinations, including a final exam
Analytical research papers
Oral presentations and/or class participation
Text reviews/analysis

Lecture
Discussion
Oral presentations
Electronic discussions/chat

Hunter College Women's Collective. Women's Realities, Women's Choices: An Introduction to Women's Studies, 4th ed.. 2014.

At this time, the newest edition of the text has not been published. Publication is expected in late 2021/early 2022. If a new edition is not published in the next year the faculty in the department will research a new text.

1. 30-40 pages of reading each week from the assigned text
2. Supplemental readings from journal articles, monographs, and biographies within the culture of women's studies
3. Writing assignments may include research papers, written presentations, essay examinations, and book reviews that are reflective of the Student Learning Outcomes for the course