WST 220 Introduction to Women’s Studies

This course is an examination of the forces that shape women\u27s lives from the perspective of various disciplines such as psychology, sociology, masculinity theory, and history. It also explores ways in which gender intersects with ethnicity, race, and socio-economic class to form social constructs. We will use theoretical, historical and cross-cultural frameworks to explore cultural representations of women, various aspects of women’s experiences, both with public institutions and personal relationships, as well as ways in which their lives have been shaped by structures of gender inequality. Special attention will be placed on feminism and women as agents of local and global social change. The full course site is available at https://wst220.commons.gc.cuny.edu/

AAS 232 African Civilizations

Exploration of the development of African civilizations from the origin of humankind to the present day. Their contributions to the development of the continent and the major world civilizations. The course carries us through Africa’s major civilizations clusters, and offers a comparative survey extending from the Nile Valley Civilizations, through the Niger River Civilizations, to the Bantu cluster comprising the Central, Southern and Swahili Civilizations. Particular attention is paid to religious and philosophical beliefs, literature and the arts, social and political organization, economic, scientific, and technological developments. Also highlighted are contributions of African women in the history and development of civilization, as well as contributions of Africa and Africans to the World. The full course site is available at https://aas232.commons.gc.cuny.ed