Course Offerings

There are a variety of courses offered at the College of St Scholastica that aid in the understanding of sexual and domestic violence as well as gender inequity. The College if proud to offer two courses related to sexual violence specifically and is hoping to expand our course offerings.

Health Science

HSC 1113 - Sexual Violence Dynamics: 2 Credits

This course focuses on understanding the dynamics of sexual violence in all of its forms and the impact on the victims. Through online and on-site activities students will explore how varied oppressions are linked to sexual violence and how culture supports or discourages sexual violence. Students will also learn about the similarities and differences within specific types of sexual violence such as: sexual assault, sexual harassment, child sexual abuse, incest, and sexual exploitation. The course includes developing an understanding of the impact of sexual violence on specific cultures and communities. Students who complete this course of study in combination with Sexual Violence Advocacy and Intervention (Part B) are eligible to become a sexual assault advocate in Minnesota as defined by the Minnesota Department of Justice Programs Crime Victims Services.

Course Objectives:

•Integrate theory of advocacy and practice strategies for working with victims of sexual assault

•Define sexual violence and understand dynamics of varying types of sexual violence.

•Describe and demonstrate an understanding of the effects of sexual violence on individuals and communities.

•Analyze societal structure and theories of oppression relation to sexual violence.

•Understand and differentiate the impact of sexual violence within specific cultural communities.

HSC 1114 - Sexual Violence Advocacy: 2 Credits

This course focuses on building practical skills and techniques for providing advocacy and crisis intervention with victims of crime, specifically sexual violence. Through on-line and on-site activities students will synthesize their knowledge of advocacy theory with the practice of advocacy skills on the individual and institutional levels. Students will meet and learn from community professionals gaining knowledge in the community's response to sexual assault, specifically the medical and legal response. Students who complete this course of study are eligible to become a sexual assault advocate in Minnesota as defined by the Minnesota Department of Justice Programs Crime Victims Services.

Course Objectives:

•Integrate theory of advocacy and practice strategies for working with victims of sexual assault

•Understand and apply advocacy ethical standards.

•Demonstrate the ability to effectively use methods to communicate with individuals in crisis and/or having experienced trauma through in class scenarios and role-plays.

•Understand and describe best practices for medical and legal response to victims of sexual violence.

•Differentiate the role of advocacy from the roles of legal and medical professionals in the response to sexual assault victims.

•Learn effective strategies for system's advocacy.

•Formulate a personalized self-care plan to avoid vicarious trauma and burnout.

The following courses are not centered specifically around sexual assault and/or violence but explore the underlying cultural and societal ideologies that contribute to the prevalence of sexual assault and violence.

Global, Cultural and Language Studies

GCL 3301 - Human Rights : 4 Credits

Inquiry into the nature and role of human rights in the context of current international relations. Issues to be addressed range from the relationship between individual and collective rights to the problems of implementation of these rights. Among topics to be considered are torture, political repression, rights of women and indigenous peoples and cultural diversity.

History

HIS 3320 - Women- United States History I : 4 Credits

Examines significant topics in U.S. women's history from the Colonial period to 1890, focusing on the roles that women of different classes and races have played in shaping society.

HIS 3321 - Women-United States History II : 4 Credits

Examines significant topics in U.S. women's history from the 1890s through the present, focusing on the roles that women of different classes and races have played in shaping society. HIS 3350 - Feminism & Globalization : 4 Credits
Explores how European imperialist accounts of non- European women's experience have been crucial to culturally dominant ideas about feminism, globalization, and the legacy of the colonial state throughout the so-called "third world." Beginning with a critical and historical overview of feminist theory and practice, the course will trace recent studies, both historical and ethnographic, of how terms such as " women," "religion," and "the body" were radically changed by the colonial projects of the 19th century (e.g. in South Asia and Africa) - projects that are intimately related to contemporary debates on transnational women's movements and globalization.

Honors

HON 1101 - Literature of Social Change : 4 Credits

This course introduces students to a variety of perspectives and attitudes toward social change. Students read classic and contemporary works and hear from local activists who devote a significant amount of their time working for change. Students read several genres - fiction, autobiography, political philosophy and propaganda. They are encouraged to adopt a critical and skeptical attitude toward what they read and hear. Honors section descriptions.

HON 3666 - Psychology of Religion/Belief : 2 Credits

The classical and modern psychological theories of belief, focusing on religious belief and on the evolutionary/ cognitive basis of belief, are addressed in this course. Issues such as: the way we believe, the reasons people believe in god(s), the psychological needs that faith satisfies, the reasons people differ in the ways they express and satisfy those needs, and what it is about the certainty of belief that leads to proselytizing, persecution or feeling threatened by the beliefs of others are explored. Seminar format and application of empirically supported theory and concepts thorough projects are the methods used. Prerequisites: (a) General Psychology; or (b) Lifespan Developmental Psychology; or (c) junior/senior status having completed one other upper-division Honors course, or Benedictine Liberal Arts Education Area II, or two TRS/PHL courses. Honors section descriptions.

HON 2125 - Global Sociology : 4 Credits

This course addresses a wide range of sociological issues as questions to be answered, using the solutions already provided by sociologists and students' own hands-on lab and real-world observational experiences. Examples and exercises use U.S. and world data throughout, highlighting the way humans structure their lives around differences of culture and ethnicity, gender, race, social class, age, sexual orientation and other significant groupings. Using art, literature, music and film, as well as traditional ethnographic and quantitative sociological data, students encounter the diverse ways in which people structure their social lives to meet common human needs, gaining experience and mastery of some basic tools of quantitative and qualitative analysis. Honors section descriptions.

Sociology

SOC 2265 - Diversity/Marginality in U.S. : 4 Credits

Comparative study of the cultural systems of American minority groups. Course examines significant social, familial, economic, institutional and cultural characteristics of American Indians, African-Americans, Mexican- Americans, Asian-Americans and other non-Western immigrants, women and other groups occupying minority status. The student studies significant values, beliefs, traditions and practices of these groups and considers current viewpoints and issues related to these minority lifestyles.

SOC  3433 - Social Issues & Social Change : 4 Credits

How does social change come about? Why do some problems come to public attention while others do not? These questions are just as important as gaining knowledge about a particular set of social issues. Students in this course study the process by which social issues are constructed, gain attention and support, and become social movements. Analysis of controversial current issues is mirrored with learning to research a topic, apply sociological theory, formulate a position, and present that position in an accurate and effective manner in this course, which qualifies as a writing intensive course.

Theology and Religious Studies

TRS 2243 - Women and Religion : 4 Credits

This course examines the historical and cultural understandings of women in religions of the world. The course emphasizes the work of contemporary women thinkers who are exploring various dimensions of the question of womenâ€^TMs presence, exclusion and contribution to religion. Through historical and comparative study the course will provide both a critical and a constructive understanding of the contributions that women make to religions, as well as the influence of religions on the situation of women in the world. This course will acknowledge the heritage of womenâ€^TMs strength, resistance and celebration in responding to exclusion and oppression and look at some of the ways in which women today are seeking full and authentic participation in the life of their religious traditions and their communities.

Women's and Gender Studies

WGS 1011 - Intro to Women & Gender Studies : 4 Credits

Provides students with a theoretical foundation for the issues explored in other Women's Studies courses. Topics include the effect of gender dynamics upon: self identity, relationships, family, work and institutions. Students will further develop their reading, writing, thinking, speaking and listening skills as they study women's issues from a global perspective within the context of race, class, ethnicity and sexual preference.

WGS 3350 - Feminism & Globalization : 4 Credits

Explores how European imperialist accounts of experiences by non-European women have been crucial to the formation of culturally dominant ideas about feminism, globalization and the legacy of the colonial state throughout the so-called "Third World." Beginning with a critical and historical overview of feminist theory and practice, the course will trace recent studies, both historical and ethnographic, of how terms such as "women," "religion" and "the body" were radically changed by the colonial projects of the 19th century (e.g. in South Asia and Africa)-projects that are intimately related to contemporary debates on transnational women's movements and globalization.

 

For more information about courses and when they are offered please visit:

http://www.css.edu/Academics/Catalog/Undergraduate-Catalog/Course-Descriptions.html