Take A GWS Class!

As you begin to prepare for your spring semester, consider taking a Gender and Women's Studies course! Below is a list of all the courses being offered for the spring 2014 semester. As you can see, our program represents a broad range of disciplines and topics that can enhance any field of study! When you enroll in a GWS course, you will find yourself in the company of passionate teachers and fellow learners who encourage critical thinking and dialogue. Don't miss this great opportunity!

GWS 2050: Gender & The World, David Cregan, TR 10:00-11:15 a.m
AAH 3001: Women in Art, Jeanne Brody, TR 11:30-12:45 p.m.
COM 5300: Dialogue on Gender, Stephen Sheridan, M 6:00-8:00 p.m.
ENG 1975: Soph. Seminar/Gender and Monsters, Megan Quigley, TR 2:30-3:45 p.m.
ENG 2300: Women in Literature, Ellen Bonds, TR 1:00-2:15 p.m.
ENG 3350: Milton, Lauren Shohet, MW. 1:30-2:45 p.m.
ENG 4691: Faulker and Morrison, Jean Lutes and Crystal Lucky, TR 10:00-11:15 a.m.
HIS 3360: Women in the Pre-Modern West, Rebecca Winer, TR 10:00-11:15 a.m.
HIS 3361: Women in Modern Europe, Lynn Hartnett, TR 2:30-3:45 p.m.
HIS 2296: History of American Women, Catherine Kerrison, MWF 11:30-12:20 p.m.
NUR 2200: Healthy Lifestyles, Linda Copel, R 4:00-6:45 p.m.
PHI 2400: Philosophy of Sex and Love, Chaone Mallory, MW 1:30-2:45 p.m.
PH 2420: Philosophy of Women, Sally Scholz, MWF 12:30-1:20 p.m.
PJ 2800: Race, Class, and Gender, Cynthia Nielsen, TR 1:00-2:15 p.m.
PSC 2700: Women in Politics, Robert Langran, MW 4:30-5:45 p.m.
PSY 2430: Psychology of Gender, Katina Sawyer, MW 3:00-4:15 p.m.
THL 2420: Women in the Bible, Judith Hadley, MW 3:00-4:15 p.m.
THL 4250: Global Poverty and Justice, Suzanne Toton, TR 1:00-2:15 p.m.
THL 4250: Global Poverty and Justice, Suzanne Toton, TR 1:00-2:15 p.m.
THL 4490: Themes in Spirituality: Gender, Rachel Smith, MWF 10:30-11:20 a.m.

If you have specific questions about these GWS classes, or the major and minor, please contact our Academic Director, Jean Lutes, at jean.lutes@villanova.edu.

"Warrior Girls: The Benefits and Perils of Women's Sports"

This Wednesday, October 30th at 6:30 p.m., Michael Sokolove will be giving his presentation, "Warrior Girls: The Benefits and Perils of Women's Sports." Michael Sokolove is a contributing writer for the New York Times Magazine, as we as the author of two previous books, The Ticket Out: Darryl Strawberry and the Boys of Crenshaw, and Hustle: The Myth, Life, and Lies of Pet Rose. He has appeared on numerous national television and radio news shows, including ABC's Good Morning America and ESPN's Outside The Lines. While Sokolove has written about a broad range of topics, his specialty has been the sociology and culture of sports. Sokolove's most recent work explores the 1979 Crenshaw High Cougars basketball team, and the myth that success in sports is a ticket out of the inner city.

Following the talk, there will be a discussion facilitated by Dr. Rick Eckstein (Department of Sociology) and Stacy Coburn-Carone (Assistant Coach at Villanova).

This event is co-sponsored by Honors, Peace and Justice Education, Sociology, and Communication.

Spotlight on Human Trafficking

Director Kat Rohrer talks with students during
the Q&A session following the film.

GWS would like to thank all members of the Villanova community who attended our event yesterday evening. We showed the documentary, Fatal Promises, which examined human trafficking in both the United States and abroad. Through personal stories of victims and interviews with politicians, NGO representatives and activists, Fatal Promises provides a comprehensive look at the realities of human trafficking versus the rhetoric of politicians and pundits who claim to be making significant strides in combating this horrific crime against humanity

 

Following the film, we had a Q&A session with the director, Kat Rohrer. Students asked some wonderful questions about human trafficking in America and how individuals--particularly college students--can make a difference.

Kat recommended that those interested in this issue should get involved with NGOs who daily fight to end human trafficking. To see a list of such NGOS,  click here. Additionally, Kat emphasized that what we purchase and economically support plays a significant role in the persistence of human trafficking. She recommended Slavery Footprints , which investigates popular stores and companies in order to expose which use forced laborers. Lastly, students were encouraged to immediately contact the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (1-888-373-3888) if they ever think that they have come across a case of human trafficking.

"Plastic Boy: Transgender Identity Unpacked"

Click photo to view larger version of the file.

On Wednesday, October 23rd at 7:00 p.m. Aiden Kosciesza will visit Villanova to give his presentation, "Plastic Boy: Transgender Identity Unpacked."

Aiden is a transgender writer, speaker, and activist who has given presentations about LGBT identity both in the US and abroad. He first spoke out about LGBT civil rights as a graduate student at Villanova's Freedom School, and later focused on transgender issues as he explored his own identity as a transsexual man. He began sharing his personal story of discovery aboard Peace Boat, a Japanese NGO that promotes peace and understanding through sustainable travel.

This event is co-sponsored by Villanova's Gay Straight Coalition and the English department. We hope that you will join us to hear Aiden's personal and thought-provoking story!

ACS Approved Event: "Fatal Promises"

Click to view larger version of the flyer.

UN. Gift reports that an estimated 2.5 million people are in forced labor (including sexual exploitation) as a result of human trafficking. An estimated 1.2 million of those victims are children. In 2008, it was reported that for every 800 people trafficked, only one abuser was convicted.

On Monday, October 21st at 5:30 pm GWS will be showing the documentary Fatal Promises. Through personal stories of victims and interviews with politicians, NGO representatives and activists, Fatal Promises provides a comprehensive look at the  realities of human trafficking versus the rhetoric of politicians and pundits who claim to be making significant strides in combating this horrific crime against humanity. You can find out more at their website.

Following the film, there will be a Q&A session with the film's director, Kat Rohrer.

This is an ACS approved event. Please tell your colleagues, students, and friends about this important event. We hope that you will be able to join us!

Villanova Majors Fair

A big thanks to everyone who stopped by to meet us at the Majors Fair this past Friday afternoon! We were thrilled to talk with you!
 

From L to R: Emily Tifft (GWS Major), Teddi Hermes (GWS Graduate Assistant), and Jean Lutes (GWS Academic Director).

If you are interested in pursuing a major or minor in Gender and Women's Studies, please contact our academic director, Jean Lutes, at jean.lutes@villanova.edu. You can also find out more at our website.

 

"Deaf Jam"

The Gender and Women's Studies program would like to invite you to a film showing of Deaf Jam, held on Saturday, October 5th at 3:00 pm in Connelly Cinema.

Deaf Jam is a 2011 documentary film directed and produced by American filmmaker Judy Lieff. The film centers on the experience of Aneta Brodski, a deaf teenager living in New York, who becomes immersed in the dynamic and three-dimensional form of American Sign Language poetry. When Aneta, an Israel-born, ASL poet, eventually meets Tahani, a Palestinian, spoken word poet, the two begin to collaborate, creating a new form of poetry that gains recognition in Deaf and hearing communities alike. You can read more about the film here.

Following the film, there will be a Q&A session with participants from the film, as well as a slam poetry and ASL workshop.

Click to view larger version of flyer.

We hope to see you there!