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Senate Bill 1112-29
UNIVERSITY SENATE
UNVERSITY AT ALBANY
STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK
Introduced by: UAC
Date: May 14, 2012
REVISION OF MAJOR IN WOMEN’S STUDIES
IT IS HEREBY PROPOSED THAT THE FOLLOWING BE ADOPTED:
1. That this takes effect for the Fall 2012 semester.
2. That this proposal be forwarded to President George M. Philip for
approval.
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University at Albany - State University of New York
College of Arts and Course and Program Action Proposal No. 12-045
Description
Prerequisites
Revision of Major
Please check one: [| Course Proposal Program Proposal
Please mark all that apply:
New Course Revision of:
Cross-Listing
Shared-Resources Course
Deactivate/Activate Course (boldface & underline as
Department: Women's Studies Effective Semester, Year: Fall 2012
Current -
Course Number : New: Credits:
Course Title:
Course Description to appear in Bulletin:
Prerequisites statement to be to description in Bulletin:
if S/U is to be designated as the only grading system in the course, check
This course is (will be) cross listed with (i.e., CAS ###):
This course is (will be) a shared-resources course with (i.e., CAS ###):
Explanation of proposal:
The loss of Core and Joint Faculties have resulted in losing courses upon which the Department has built our
current requirements. The proposed new requirements offer flexibility without sacrificing academic rigor. (See
attached materials for more information.)
Other departments or schools which offer similar or related courses and which have certified that this proposal
does not overlap their offering:
Chair of Proposing Department Date
Vivien Ng
3yus/2
“Approved by Chair(s) of having cross-listed
course(s) [Copy of e-mail approval on following page.) Date _ | Dean of College Date
Chair of Academic Programs Committee Date | Dean of or Graduate Studies Date
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Proposal to Revise Requirements for the Women's Studies Major
Rationale
Since the last revision of the requirements for the Women's Studies major (see
Appendix A for current requirements), our department has suffered the loss of three-
and-a-half Core Faculty members (Judith Fetterley, Maia Boswell-Penc, Marjorie Pryse,
Bonnie Spanier) and five Joint Faculty (Edna Acosta Belen, Judith Barlow, Roberta
Bernstein, Judith Johnson, and June Hahner). Their departures have cost us many of
the courses that we (and our students) have counted on to meet the requirements for
the major. The "coherent concentrations" as currently constituted, are not viable. Our
majors have had to request DARS substitutions or waivers in order to be able to
graduate on time. (Currently, students declare their concentration when they declare
their major. PeopleSoft recognizes only those courses that are listed in each of the
categories. All other courses required DARS substitutions or waivers.)
In the Fall 2011 semester, Women's Studies Core and Joint Faculties deliberated
a number of options: 1) Maintain status quo; 2) Re-constitute new "coherent
concentrations"; 3) Do a complete overhaul.
Option #1 was rejected because it was built on the hope that new hires (both in
Women's Studies and other departments) could mitigate the current crunch. We do
not see this happening in the near future.
Option #2 was rejected because it was essentially playing musical chairs with
existing courses, and because the possible configurations would be built around
existing faculty's teaching and research interests. There is no guarantee that there
would not be further erosion of faculty contribution to courses due to retirements and
resignations.
Option #3 was adopted because it offers the greatest flexibility. Students will be
able to work with their advisors to devise a curriculum that is academically sound and
the best fit for their career aspirations. Because we are a small department and all our
majors are advised by Core Faculty, we are confident that our majors would be guided
to take courses that make sense together, and not graduate with hodgepodge of
courses that only add up to 36 credit hours. Department Chair Vivien Ng emphasized
the implications of this option for the Core Faculty. There is unanimous agreement
that we would take advisement seriously. To do otherwise would be unacceptable.
The overhaul entails creation of a new "gateway" course (AWSS 100; currently
under review by appropriate committees) to the Core Requirements, and doing away
with designated "coherent concentrations."
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Proposed Revised Requirements for Women's Studies Major
I. Core Requirements (15 credits)
A. Gateway: AWSS 100 (Women Creating Change), 3 credits
B. Intersections: AWSS 240 (Classism, Racism, Sexism: Issues), 3 credits
C. Theory: AWSS 360 (Feminist Social and Political Thought) or AWSS 399 or
AWSS 489, as advised, 3 credits
D. Research Methods: AWSS 490Z (Research Seminar in Women's Studies), 3
credits
E. Internship: AWSS 492Y (Internship in Women's Studies) or AWSS 322
(Feminist Pedagogy in Practice), 3 credits
Il. Electives (at least 21 credits)
Coherent concentration as advised. Three of the courses must be at the 300-
level or above.
A WSS 101 Introduction to Feminisms (3)
A WSS 202 Introduction to Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgender and Queer
Studies (3)
A WSS 217 (= A MUS 217) Women and Music (3)
A WSS 220 Introduction to Feminist Theory (3)
A WSS 241 Science, Technology, and Social Justice (3)
A WSS 248 (= AJST 248) Women in Jewish Life and Literature (3)
A WSS 260 History of Women and Social Change (3)
A WSS 262 (= A SOC 262) Sociology of Gender (3)
A WSS 270 (= A EAS 270) Women in East Asian Literature (3)
A WSS 282Z Narratives and Counter-Narratives (3)
A WSS 299 Topics in Women’s Studies (1-3)
A WSS 303 Popular Technology: Advocacy and Activism in an Age of IT (3)
A WSS 310 Introduction to Feminist Pedagogy (3)
A WSS 320 Feminist Pedagogy in Theory (3)
A WSS 322Y Feminist Pedagogy in Practice (3)
A WSS 326 (= A SOC 326) Sociology of Race, Gender, and Class (3)
A WSS 333 (= R POS 333) Women and the Law (3)
A WSS 336 (= A MUS 336) Representations: Music, Gender, Race, and Class (3)
A WSS 342X Electronic Publishing in Women’s Studies (3)
A WSS 344 (= A SOC 344) Sociology of Women in the Political Economy (3)
A WSS 346 (= R POS 346) Law, Civil Rights, and Sexual Orientation (3)
A WSS 350 (= A PHI 350) Philosophy and Feminism (3)
A WSS 360 Feminist Social and Political Thought (3)
A WSS 361 Gender and Nation in World Cinema (3)
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A WSS 362 (= A ENG 362) Critical Approaches to Gender and Sexuality in
Literature (3)
A WSS 363 (= A SOC 362) Sociology of Sexualities (3)
A WSS 365 (= A ANT 365) The Anthropology of New Reproductive Technologies
(3)
A WSS 366 (= A ENG 366) Critical Approaches to Ethnicity in Literature (3)
A WSS 368 (= A ENG 368) Women Writers (3)
WSS 371 (= A PSY 371) Sexual and Physical Abuse (3)
A WSS 381(= A ANT 381) Anthropology of Gender (3)
A WSS 397 Independent Study (1-4)
A WSS 399 Topics in Women’s Studies (1-3)
A WSS 412 Race, Gender, and Cultural Politics in the Asian Diaspora (3)
A WSS 416 (= A ENG 416) Topics in Gender, Sexuality, Race, or Class (3)
A WSS 433 (= R POS 433) Women, Politics, and Power (3)
A WSS 442 Transmedia Storytelling (3)
A WSS 450 The Literature of Feminism: An Interdisciplinary Seminar (3)
A WSS 451 (= AHIS 451 & ALCS 451) Gender & Class in Latin American
Development (3)
A WSS 461 (= A ARH 461) Women in Cinema (3)
A WSS 465 Feminist Theory (3)
A WSS 475 (= A ARH 475) Women in Art (3)
A WSS 495 Honors Project (3)
A WSS 497 Topics in LGBTQ Studies (3)
A WSS 498 Topics in Women’s Studies (3)
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Appendix A
The current requirements for the Women's Studies major are as follows:
Core Requirements (12 credits)
a. Theory: WSS 220 (Introduction to Feminist Theory).
b. Intersections: WSS 240 (Classism, Racism, Sexism: Issues)
c. Research Methods: WSS 490Z (Research Seminar in Women's Studies)
d. Internship: WSS 492 (Internship in Women's Studies) or WSS 322Y (Feminist
Pedagogy in Practice).
Substitutions must be approved by the Undergraduate Studies Committee.
Il. Coherent Concentrations (choose one) (12 credits)
Society, Politics, and Policy:
Four courses from the following, at least two of them at the 300-level or above:
WSS 202 (Introduction to Gay and Lesbian Studies)
WSS 241 (Science, Technology, and Social Justice)
WSS 260 (History of U.S. Women and Social Change)
WSS 262 (Sociology of Gender)
WSS 326 (Sociology of Race, Gender, and Class)
WSS 333 (Women and the Law)
WSS 344 (Sociology of Women in the Political Economy)
WSS 346 (Law, Civil Rights, and Sexual Orientation)
WSS 360 (Feminist Social and Political Thought)
WSS 365 (Anthropology of New Reproductive Technologies)
WSS 399 (Topics in Women's Studies), where appropriate
WSS 412 (Race, Gender and Cultural Politics in Asian America)
WSS 430 (Environmental Justice: Racism, Classism, Sexism)
OR
Information, Technology, and Science:
Four courses from the following, at least two of them at the 300-level or above:
WSS 109X (Women, Biology, and Health)
WSS 241 (Science, Technology, and Social Justice)
WSS 281 (Women and the Media)
WSS 299 (Topics in Women's Studies), where appropriate
WSS 303 Popular Technology: Advocacy and Activism in Age of IT
WSS 342X (Electronic Publishing in Women's Studies)
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WSS 281 (Women and the Media)
WSS 303 (Popular Technology: Advocacy and Activism in an Age of IT)
WSS 309 (Activism and Health)
WSS 328 (Gender, Space and Place)
WSS 360 (Feminist Social and Political Thought)
WSS 361 (Gender and Nation in World Cinema)
WSS 365 (Anthropology of New Reproductive Technologies)
OR
Globalization and Cultural Studies:
Four courses from the following, at least two of them must be at the 300-level or
above:
WSS 281 (Women and the Media)
WSS 308 (Global Perspectives on Women)
WSS 328 (Gender, Space and Place)
WSS 357 (Chinese Women and Modernity)
WSS 360 (Feminist Social and Political Thought)
WSS 361 (Gender and Nation in World Cinema)
WSS 362 (Critical Approaches to Gender and Sexuality in Literature)
WSS 381 (Anthropology of Gender)
WSS 412 (Race, Gender and Cultural Politics in Asian Diaspora)
WSS 451 (Gender and Class in Latin American Development)
OR
Art, Media, and Justice:
Four courses from the following, at least two of them must be at the 300-level or
above:
WSS 260 (History of U.S. Women and Social Change)
WSS 280 (Film and Popular Culture)
WSS 281 (Women and the Media)
WSS 282Z (Narratives and Counter-Narratives)
WSS 303 (Popular Technology: Advocacy and Activism in an Age of IT)
WSS 336 (Representations: Music, Gender, Race, and Class)
WSS 342X (Electronic Publishing in Women's Studies)
WSS 361 (Gender and Nation in World Cinema)
WSS 362 (Critical Approaches to Gender and Sexuality in Literature)
WSS 366 (Critical Approaches to Ethnicity in Literature)
WSS 368 (Women Writers)
WSS 412 (Race, Gender and Cultural Politics in Asian Diaspora)
WSS 430 (Environmental Justice: Racism, Classism, Sexism)
WSS 450 (Literature of Feminism: An Interdisciplinary Seminar)
WSS 461 (Women in Cinema)
WSS 475 (Women in Art)
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OR
Independent Student Design:
Four courses, as advised (at least two of them at the 300-level or above). Must
be approved by the Undergraduate Studies Committee.
lll. Electives (12 credits)
At least one course must be at the 300-level or above. Electives are to be
selected from Women's Studies courses or other courses as approved by the
Women's Studies Department, and approved by the Undergraduate Studies
Committee.
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Women’s Studies
General program BA: A minimum of 36 credits in Women’s studies, including:
Core courses (15 credits)
AWSS 100 Women Creating Change
AWSS 240 Classism, Racism, Sexism
Electives (21 credits)
9 credits Women’s Studies 300 or 400 level coursework
12 additional credits of Women’s Studies courses
Advanced Requirements (9 credits)
A. Theory: AWSS 360 Feminist Social and Political Thought or
AWSS 399 Topics in Women’s Studies or
AWSS 489 ??
B. Research Methods: AWSS 490Z Research Seminar in Women's Studies
C. Internship: AWSS 492Y Internship in Women's Studies or
AWSS 322 Feminist Pedagogy in Practice
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A UNIS Aba Au
PLANNING COUNCIL
CAMPUS IMPACT FORM
Proposal Title: Revision of the requirements for Women’s Studies Major
College or CAS Departme Women’s Studies
School nt
Program
Director or Vivien Ng e- vng@albany.edu
Sponsor mail
Action I~ Program Proposal Does this proposal include © Yes
Category x any space resource ow
[~ Other (describe) implications? No
Category desc. Approximate sq. ft. sq ft
needed:
Action Type ™ New
_ Has this program been C Yes
xo Revision identified as a Gainful x
@ No
oe Employment Program
! Deactivation (GEP)?
I! Other (Describe)
Action type desc.
Brief Description of Proposal:
Since the last revision of the requirements for the Women's Studies major (see Appendix
A for current requirements), our department has suffered the loss of three-and-a-half Core
Faculty members (Judith Fetterley, Maia Boswell-Penc, Marjorie Pryse, Bonnie Spanier) and five
Joint Faculty (Edna Acosta Belen, Judith Barlow, Roberta Bernstein, Judith Johnson, and June
Hahner). Their departures have cost us many of the courses that we (and our students) have
counted on to meet the requirements for the major. The "coherent concentrations" as currently
constituted, are not viable. Our majors have had to request DARS substitutions or waivers in
order to be able to graduate on time. (Currently, students declare their concentration when they
declare their major. PeopleSoft recognizes only those courses that are listed in each of the
categories. All other courses required DARS substitutions or waivers.)
The faculty of the department voted unanimously to initiate a complete overhaul of the
requirements, because it offers the greatest flexibilty. Students will be able to work with their
advisors to devise a curriculum that is academically sound and the best fit for their career
aspirations. Because we are a small department and all our majors are advised by Core Faculty,
we are confident that our majors would be guided to take courses that make sense together,
and not graduate with hodgepodge of courses that only add up to 36 credit hours. Department
Chair Vivien Ng emphasized the implications of this option for the Core Faculty. There is
unanimous agreement that we would take advisement seriously. To do otherwise would be
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unacceptable.
Impact on Other Programs: List other academic and support (e.g. Library, ITS) units that may
be impacted by the proposed program and describe the potential impact (e.g. on student
headcount/enrollment/recruitment, faculty participation, course content in other programs).
Attach letters of collaboration/support from impacted programs.
None.
Faculty and Staff
a) Describe new faculty hiring needed during the next 3 years
b) Explain how program will be administered for the purposes of admissions, advising, course
offerings, etc. Discuss the available support staff
This is a resource neutral proposal. No new faculty or staff investments are required.
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RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS
1° Year
Year
Projected Expenditures (In home department and other affected units)
From Existing Sources none none n
F,
aculty (2) From New Sources
ini: i From Existing Sources none none ni
Staff (2) From New Sources
Clerical Staff (2) From Existing Sources none none n
From New Sources
oTPs (3) From Existing Sources none none ni
From New Sources
Student Support From Existing Sources none none n
From New Sources
Facilities From Existing Sources none none ni
From New Sources
Total Proj N/A N/A 1
Projected Capital Expenditures
Capital From Existing Sources
Facilities From New Sources
. From Existing Sources
Capital
at From New Sources
Total Projected Capital Expenditures N/A N/A !
APPROVALS
Department Chair Vivien Ng 3/28/12
Dept Chair name Date
Dean
Dean name. Date
Provost or VP
Provost/VP Signatory Date
UPPC Chair
Eric Lifshin, UPPC Chair 2011-12 Date
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INST IONS
When submitting a program proposal to the University Senate Policy and Planning Council,
please submit this form whether or not the proposal involves resource implications. Proposals
without new resource needs do not require higher level approvals - the department chair’s
signature will suffice, and may accompany other relevant documentation provided by the
department in support of the proposal.
If the proposal indicates space requirements, this information will be shared with the Office of
Campus Planning.
Completed forms should be sent to the attention of the chairperson of UPPC.
It is the sponsoring department’s responsibility to obtain all required signatures before
presenting the documentation to the council. The chair may request additional supporting
documentation prior to review by the entire council. You will be notified when your proposal is
on the UPPC agenda, and will be invited to attend the meeting.
1 Out years projections should be calculated to include inflation of 3% per year
2 Include fringe on PSR that is paid out of an IFR account
3 Include any equipment, supply, travel, telecom, postage, etc. items that are not a capital
expense
