By Lian Bunny
Assistant News Editor
Students from St. Bonaventure women’s studies group are advocating for WS-101, Introduction to Women’s Studies, to count as credit for either CLAR-105, Inquiry into the Social World, or CLAR-208, World Views.
The idea originated from a discussion in WS-499, Colloquium in Women’s Studies. Angela Kim, a senior English major has led the effort. Kim is also pursuing a minor in women’s studies.
“After a short correspondence with the former (Clare) Dean (David DiMattio), he told me that the WS-101 syllabus had to be changed in order to meet the goals of the classes it may substitute,” Kim said. “However, when I asked for the goals and changes he thought should be made, he cut off correspondence.”
In this correspondence, Kim argued that WS-101 allows students to learn about gender in a social context and prompts them to rethink stereotypes regarding gender, race and social class. She said much of the education in different majors is taught through the perspectives of middle-class white men.
Kim continued to point out the similarities between ML-300, Introduction to Cross Cultural Communication, and WS-101 (ML-300 is a substitute for CLAR-208). According to Kim, both ML-300 and WS-101 present different perspectives. Each department is defined by stereotypes, and giving the opportunity to take the respective classes allows students to rethink preconceived notions about the majors themselves.
Brianna Roberts, a junior classical languages major, agreed with Kim that WS-101 should count as a substitute for CLAR-208 or CLAR-205.
“Though the program here is called women’s studies, it’s comparable to gender studies programs in other schools–women’s studies (and feminist thought) in no way is concerned only with female or women’s experiences,” Roberts said. “Rather, the program as I’ve experienced it focuses on examining and deconstructing existing societal power structures. We talk about various interlocking oppressions that exist in today’s society such as sexism, classism, racism, ageism, etc.—WS-101 covers them all.”
In an email to DiMattio, Roberts related her personal experience with Clare courses to her cause.
“I took a World Views class on pop culture, the content of which was very similar to the content of WS-101. I see no reason why WS-101 shouldn’t be integrated into the Clare College in some way,” Roberts said. “More than anything, WS-101 (and the program as a whole) encourages an awareness of minorities, who are often left out of regular classes.”
Emily Jo Manchester, a sophomore Spanish major, said students who aren’t interested in women’s studies can still benefit from taking the course.
“WS-101 was one of the most influential classes I have ever taken,” Manchester said. “Personally, it cemented my decision to minor in women studies and research more about gender-based oppression. The great thing about WS 101 is that you don’t have to be interested in taking on the women studies curriculum to benefit from the class. In that way, it is similar to other 101 level courses because it is an intro with a lot of useful information, but it is not overwhelming or too in-depth.”
With the change of dean of Clare College, the progress of their cause is uncertain. As of now, there are two candidates to serve as interim dean: Guy Imhoff, chair of the department of modern languages, and Anne Foerst, associate professor of computer science.
Within Kim’s email to former Dean, DiMattio, she said she displayed the genuine motivation the women’s study group has toward this cause.
“I do not benefit from this change, and I do not have any ulterior motives in requesting that you consider this change,” Kim said in the email. “I simply, but passionately, believe that this is an important course that not only falls in the range of study of these Clare courses, but also allows students a more direct path to information that is relevant in their social and academic lives.”
