Standard Concentration
Executive/Leadership Concentration
In lieu of 442 and 452 students may select, with the permission of the director, two other graduate-level courses dealing with leadership issues.
Women's and Gender Studies Concentration
- MLS 401 VISIONS OF THE SELF
- MLS 405 REPRESENTATIONS OF THE BODY
- MLS 403 THE AMERICAN EXPERIENCE
or MLS 404 THE CITY
- MLS 440 FEMINIST THEORIES
- MLS 441 WOMEN ACROSS CULTURES
- Six or seven elective courses, depending on program completion option. Chose from MALS special topics or graduate or upper-level courses with the aid of the student’s advisor. Three of the six courses must meet the criteria of the Women’s and Gender Studies concentration; that is, the topic, content, and approach to the course must be focused upon the study of women or gender relations. For example, MLS 445, MLS 467, MLS 474, MLS 477 and MLS 478 meet these criteria.
- MLS 499 CAPSTONE (or a designated exit course, if the Exit Course Option is chosen). The topic, content, and approach of the integrating project must be focused on the study of women or gender. A Women's Studies faculty member must advise the student throughout the project's development.
MLS 401
VISIONS OF THE SELF
A study of the differing visions of the self as presented in significant documents from the history of ideas. Materials selected from classic texts of literature, philosophy, theology, psychology and social science.
MLS 402
PERCEPTIONS OF REALITY
A survey, beginning with ancient Greece and ending with the modern world, of models of universal order as developed by natural scientists and literary and visual artists.
MLS 405
REPRESENTATIONS OF THE BODY
This course will examine how the human body, which seems to be a natural, universal fact, is also a deeply cultural symbolic construction whose analysis yields insights into structures of power and consciousness.
MLS 409
ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIETY
"Environment and Society" is a 400-level interdisciplinary core course on the environment. The course might include such topics as cultural diversity in time and place with regard to the human view of the natural world, various approaches to environmental ethics, philosophical and religious influence in conceptions of the earth as environment, the relationship between scientific measurement and the social constructions of the natural world, the science and politics of climate change, race and gender considerations in environmental politics, and environmental consciousness in literature and the arts. The instructor's own disciplinary interests will play a prominent role in the course construction, but the course will draw from the sciences, the social sciences and the humanities. As in all MLS courses, the instructor will use the course assignments to work with students on enhancing graduate-level intellectual skills through reflexive pedagogy.
MLS 403
THE AMERICAN EXPERIENCE
A chronological and thematic study of the location of self within American culture. Readings chosen to reflect both dominant and dissenting ideas at specific points of American history.
MLS 404
THE CITY
A topical examination of the urban experience using the methods and sources of both historians and social scientists. Topics include survey of various images of the city, utopian and dystopian visions, and the uniqueness of the modern city.
MLS 406
EXPLORING OTHER CULTURES
Examination of the history, traditions, values and institutions that have shaped the lives of people in another culture. Analysis of the "terms of encounter," that is, the perspectives that students assume as they seek to encounter the "other" Variable to
MLS 499
CAPSTONE
Capstone for students doing a thesis, practicum or enhanced portfolio essay. Students may register for this course after the Formal Proposal for the thesis or practicum, or the Enhanced Portfolio Essay Proposal, has been approved. Students are normally expected to complete their capstone projects within the quarter in which they take this course. This course carries four hours of credit. Registration is by permission of the Director of the MALS and IDS Program and the permission of the instructor who serves as the student's capstone director.
MLS 442
ETHICS AND THE ECONOMY
This course will present the thinking of social scientists, philosophers and theologians on the impact of religious values on the origin and development of American capitalism, and their possible relevance to contemporary discussions of business ethics. Cross-listed as GSB 650 and PHL 650.
MLS 452
GREAT IDEAS, BUSINESS AND SOCIETY
A study using primary sources of the basic ideas, aspirations and values which humanity strives to attain and which constitute the basis of fundamental demands on the world of business and its managers, their policies and decisions.
MLS 440
FEMINIST THEORIES
A discussion and assessment of the various theories concerning the place of women in society, including theories that have advocated a more positive role for and valuation of women than those of the dominant society. The course will take both an historical and a topical approach. Cross-listed as WGS 300 and WGS 400.
MLS 441
WOMEN ACROSS CULTURES
A critical analysis of the roles of women in societies around the world, with special emphasis on economics, politics, and culture. Focus is on African, Asian and Latin American cultures and non-dominant groups within Western Societies. Topics vary each quarter. Cross-listed as WGS 390 and WGS 490.
MLS 445
GENDER AND COMMUNICATION
A review of the differences in communication patterns between women and men. Topics covered include language and language usage differences, interaction patterns, and perceptions of the sexes generated through language and communication. Cross-listed as CMN 523 and WGS 440.
MLS 467
SELECTED TOPICS ON WOMEN IN LITERATURE
Topics vary; see schedule for current offering.
MLS 474
WOMEN AND ART
Examines the work of the most significant women artists from the Renaissance to the present. It will also investigate how women have been represented in Western art by both male and female artists. Cross-listed as HAA 366.
MLS 477
FEMINIST ETHICS
Critiques of mainstream empirical and philosophical works and of Carol Gilligan's work on ethics will include discussions on the women's voice in morality, the nature of theories by women vs. men, the formation of plural positions concerning care versus justice, and alternative ethical stances. Cross-listed as WGS 310/410 and REL 322.
MLS 478
THE PSYCHOLOGY OF WOMEN
A review of research and theory on women including sexist biases and methodology, feminist therapy, violence against women, and gender differences in the development of power and sexuality. Cross-listed as PSY 561 and WGS 470.