The WILL program is modeled after an extremely successful approach to addressing disturbing differences in the college experiences of women and men. Educational research has demonstrated that women tend to enter college with higher grades than men, but exhibit lower expectations and self-esteem. At the same time, the typical student culture reinforces male academic, athletic, and leadership activities while women are most often valued on campus for their social contributions. By promoting female achievement and leadership in strategic and innovative ways, WILL offers women an unparalleled opportunity to increase their self-esteem and confidence and realize their full potential. The program enhances women’s collegiate experiences through a three-pronged approach:
WILL Course Work
Each WILL student earns a minor in women’s & gender studies, the academic foundation of the program. Required women’s studies courses provide WILL students with a common intellectual background and analytical frameworks to critically examine gender roles, social institutions, and individual beliefs. The WILL program strives to integrate theory and practice; thus students are required to complete a supervised internship.
WS148 Introduction to Women's & Gender Studies
This course is an introduction to the interdisciplinary study of women and gender in society. The course, which is team-taught by faculty from different disciplines, examines women's social roles and contributions in various social groups, cultures and areas of the globe, and explores gender as a socially constructed category of human experience. It introduces students to feminism, both as a body of theory and as an approach to social change. Topics include: gender socialization, education, work, marriage, sexuality, violence against women, and opportunities for change. 3 credit hours.
WS220 Power, Privilege and Gender
This course explores the social construction of differences and the processes, institutions, and conditions that lead to power and privilege in modern American society. Issues of race, gender, social class, sexual orientation, age and ability, among others, are considered. 3 credit hours.
WS300 Sophomore Colloquium
This web-based course examines social movements in the United States to explain why and how social change occurs. Students then connect theory to practice through individual or group action projects. 1 credit hour.
WS373 Feminist Theory/Process
This course provides an overview of historical and contemporary feminist thought. Students define and evaluate different theoretical positions, including liberal, cultural, Freudian, materialist, existentialist, radical, French, and multicultural feminisms. Interdisciplinary readings investigate how feminist theory and process have affected our lives and our understanding of literature, philosophy, political science, law, science, film, history, sociology and medicine. 3 credit hours.
WS420 Field Experience
The field experience, which includes a weekly seminar, gives students an opportunity to explore gender-related issues and the gender dimension of social issues through experiences outside the classroom. Students integrate practical experience with feminist analyses developed in Women's Studies courses and develop the skills and knowledge necessary to act effectively as citizens of their communities.
WS448 Senior Seminar
As the capstone for the Women's Studies minor, this class requires students to review and assess their work in Women's Studies and the relationship between the minor and their major.
Two Core Disciplinary Courses
Students can choose from a range of courses, including Feminist Political Thought, Intro to Psychology of Women, Women’s Health Issues, Quality of Worklife, Survey of Women in U.S. History, and Women's Health Issues.
One Women’s & Gender Studies Elective Students can choose from a range of courses, including those designated as core disciplinary courses, select Introduction to Literature courses, select Advanced Expository Writing courses, Introduction to Social Work, Classical Mythology, The Bible as Literature, U.S. History Since 1865, and Women in Latin American History.
WILL Student Organization
All WILL students belong to a student organization that offers formal and informal opportunities for leadership during their four years in the program. Monthly membership meetings, student committees and an elected executive board allow members to participate actively in the organization. Students plan, organize and participate in campus events and community action projects. For example, WILL students may choose to participate in a mentoring program that pairs WILL students with girls at a local middle school, or they may organize fundraising events to improve the lives of women and girls in our community—or in another state or country.
WILL’s Mission
The WILL program aims:
Who are WILL students?
WILL students major in the humanities, sciences, social sciences, nursing and business. They have a variety of interests and they belong to many other student organizations. WILL students go on to have careers in business, law, medicine, social services, and education, among others.
To take advantage of this unique and valuable opportunity or to learn more about the WILL Program, please contact:
Dr. Tamara Berg,
Director, Women's & Gender Studies Program Winona State University
326 Minne Hall
Winona, MN 55987
507-457-5460
tberg@winona.edu
www.winona.edu/womensstudies/WILL
WILL Application form (pdf)