Apr 12, 2025  
2017-2018 Graduate Catalog 
    
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2017-2018 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Women’s and Gender Studies Concentration

Senior Lecturer Josephine Caldwell-Ryan Director

Students in degree programs may choose to concentrate in an area of theological studies. Concentrations may be used to fulfill denominational requirements (concentration in Anglican studies), to ascertain preparedness for future licensing or advanced study (concentration in pastoral care), or to complete an intensive study in an area of benefit or priority for the church (concentration in Hispanic studies, concentration in African-American church studies, concentration in urban ministry, concentration in women’s and gender studies, concentration in social innovation and nonprofit engagement, concentration in church/nonprofit management).

The concentration in women’s and gender studies is offered through the Women’s and Gender Studies Program and jointly based in SMU’s Dedman College Graduate Program and Perkins School of Theology. It is an interdisciplinary graduate-level concentration designed to enhance the lives of students, both female and male, by facilitating the integration of theories about gender and knowledge about the roles and achievements of women, both past and present, in the global society. The courses are designed to provide comparative and historical perspectives on women, gender and feminism. The concentration draws upon courses from a variety of disciplines, including anthropology, history, literary studies, media and film, and theology. The Perkins concentration adviser is Evelyn Parker.

Concentration Requirements

  1. Formal registration for the concentration through the Dedman College and/or Perkins School of Theology registrar. This shall include a proposed program plan for completion of the concentration developed with an adviser from the Women’s and Gender Studies Program or the Perkins concentration adviser. To qualify, Perkins students must have signed approval from their academic adviser. Candidates must have at least 24 credit hours remaining in their degree program and a GPA of 3.000 in order to register. M.Div. candidates should not yet have applied for internship.
  2. An advanced feminist theory course (such as TC 8375 ). This course will include the “classic” literature from feminist, womanist and mujerista perspectives and address current theoretical issues across relevant disciplines. The course will be taught in rotation by interested faculty associated with the Women’s and Gender Studies Program and Perkins School of Theology.
  3. Four additional courses that are Women’s and Gender Studies graduate-level approved core courses and Dedman College undergraduate departmental courses. Students must register for Dedman College undergraduate courses using a 6000-level number and arrange a separate syllabus and assignments in conjunction with the professor of record. Students are encouraged to petition the director of the Women’s and Gender Studies Program for credit for other graduate courses in which they will engage in study appropriate to the intent of the certificate. Appropriate courses taken during matriculation at SMU yet prior to enrollment in the concentration may count toward program hours.
  4. As part of one of the four courses, students will complete a major research project that addresses issues concerning women and/or gender. A performance or exhibit may also constitute the major project, with approval of the director of the Women’s and Gender Studies Program.
  5. Students may substitute an internship for one of the four courses and the associated major research project. The supervised internship must involve an organization or setting that addresses issues concerning women and/or gender. This project shall be delineated with an appropriate time of completion included in the program plan in consultation with a Women’s and Gender Studies Program or a Perkins Internship Office faculty member. A supervised internship setting for Perkins M.Div. students will require a learning goal for women’s studies, and the internship shall be done in consultation with the Perkins Internship Office. Women’s and Gender Studies Program internships can also be arranged in conjunction with the Dedman College internship program and the Women’s and Gender Studies Program adviser.

Dedman College Course Options

Course offerings in Dedman College vary each term. Current lists of courses are available at www.smu.edu/dedman/academics/departments/womgenstudies.

Perkins Course Options