Women's Bodies, Women's Health

Undergraduate

This course examines and critiques commonly cited biological evidence in support of sex differences and male superiority, including research on anatomy, genetics, hormones, and differential brain functioning. Students explore the social, cultural, and political meanings of the female body and consider how these understandings influence medical and non-medical definitions of “health” for women. Students investigate how sexism, classism, racism, ageism, and homophobia shape how individuals think about and value different female bodies. (Prerequisite: One Women’s and Gender Studies course or permission of the instructor.) (Can be taken for either Science or Social Science credit.)