Sarah Briggs

Multidisciplinary Course Plan:  Women’s Studies and Sociology

WMS 305: Contemporary Feminist Theory & Practice
This course provides an understanding of feminist theory and practice.  A course on feminist theorizing and practice is what is known as a "value-laden" enterprise. Feminist theories do not just offer an analysis of and solutions for the elimination of the oppression of women, they also look at the moral and political commitment to that analysis and elimination. Simply put, feminist theory begins from the perspective that there has been—and still is—injustice in the treatment, status and situation of women.  This field of study, as well as the fact that theory requires critical thinking and an ability to examine various viewpoints, are things which will serve me well when I reach law school. The skills and the background are important since I would like to build my law degree around issues that concern women.

WMS 310: America’s Working Women
This course will examines the history of American women’s work from the past to present and also covers issues affecting varying races and ethnicities, as well as both organized and unorganized women's labor movements.  This class is important since these issues still concern women today, including pay equity, gender discrimination in the workplace, and the glass ceiling.  An understanding of these issues will prepare me for the legal issues women continue to face.

WMS 336/SOC 336: Women & Social Policy
This class will provide me with a better understanding of social policies that directly affect women.  Women and Social Policy will allow me to study the policies that affect women and the family. Social policies and laws go hand and hand; therefore studying social policies that directly affect women will provide me with a better understanding for law school.

WMS/PSC 339:  Women & Public Policy
This class will provide me with a better understanding of public policies that directly affect women.  This course also examines the policies and decisions of the Supreme Court regarding gender equality and women’s interests in the United States—all important areas of study for a future law degree with a focus on women’s issues.

SOC 351: Gender Variations: Sexual Orientation Across Cultures
This Course will provide me with a better understanding of gender and its many variations across cultures. It will also provide me with an understanding of the effects gender and sexual orientation around the globe. Since there are many legal battles surrounding sexual orientation in America I think it is important to learn how gender variations affect other cultures.

SOC 356: Wealth, Status, and Power in American
This course will provide me with the understandings of the many ways societies assign their members to higher and lower positions of wealth, status, and power. This course will also provide a better understanding of globalization and its effects on the nations of the globe. This course will provide me with an understanding of how wealth, status and power in America directly affect women.

SOC 357: Justice & Society
This course will provide the understandings of the sociology of law and the police. It also provides an understanding of the functioning of the law and the court system in a democratic society.  Since I intend to further my education by attending law school, I feel that this class will give me a better understanding of the law and the court system.

SOC/WMS 400:  Crime and Female Deviance
This course will provide an examination of women and criminal actions, which will help me better understand the roots of criminal behavior for women.  This course complements my work as a Police Officer, work which is also preparing me for law school.

PSC 445/WMS 490:  Women and Politics
This course provides an examination of contemporary issues facing women in the political arena.  This course furthers my understanding the legal systems and public policies affecting women’s lives.

WMS 495: Independent Study (Capstone course)
This course will act as a culmination of my degree program as I prepare a portfolio spanning my degree work. The portfolio will be accompanied by a verbal presentation to a committee of Women’s Studies and Sociology professors.