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Summer 2026 Courses
WST 102: Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies
Session I: ONLINE Asynchronous - Jade Kai
Session II: ONLINE Asynchronous - Hayden Cuttone
An introductory social sciences survey examining gender and sexuality theories, women's
and feminist movements, and current debates within Women's, Gender, & Sexuality Studies.
The course draws on theories and methods of anthropology, economics, geography, history,
political science, psychology, and sociology to explore how gender intersects with
sexuality, race, ability and other constructed identity categories to structure power,
hierarchy, and privilege.
WST 103: Gender, Culture, Difference
Session I: ONLINE Asynchronous - Frankie Petronio
Session II: ONLINE Asynchronous - AJ Castle
An introductory humanities survey focusing on evolving ideas of gender and gender
roles, and how gender intersects with sexuality, race, ability and other constructed
identity categories. Through the disciplines of literature, art, philosophy, and history
and the critical analyses of texts, objects, historical accounts, social media, and
current events, the course explores how cultural ideas of gender are expressed in
different genres in the humanities.
WST 111: Introduction to Queer Studies in the Humanities
Session I: ONLINE Asynchronous - Kara Pernicano
Session II: ONLINE Asynchronous - Desi Self
A survey of historical representations of sexuality and queerness from the late 19th
century to the present. Through examination of art, media, literature, and philosophy,
and critical theory, students develop an interdisciplinary understanding of lesbian,
gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer identities and the moral and ethical issues
surrounding sexuality. Themes include the social construction of sexuality; theories
of sex, desire, bodies, and sexuality; cisheterosexism and other intersecting forms
of oppression; and the historical roots of these issues.
WST 291: Introduction to Feminist Theory
Session II - ONLINE Asynchronous - Kassel Franco Garibay
An introductory survey of historical and contemporary interdisciplinary theories used
in Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies. Theoretical debates on race, class, gender,
nation, disability, sexuality, representation, and social movements are among the
topics considered. The course will provide a strong theoretical foundation for further
studies in Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies.
WST 301 - Histories of Feminism
Session I - ONLINE Asynchronous - Emillion Adekoya
A historical study of the theoretical and practical developments that form contemporary
feminism and gender studies. Although the course concentrates primarily on feminist
histories in the United States, it also places those histories within a transnational
frame, paying close attention to class and race as well as gender. Key historical
movements and events examined in the course include the suffrage movement, liberalism,
socialist feminism, feminist internationalism, Black and women of color feminism,
the women's liberation movement, radical feminism, and queer studies.
Fall 2026 Courses
[WST Offerings]
WST 102: Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies
IN PERSON - M/W 9:30-10:50 am - Mar Galvez Seminario
ONLINE Asynchronous - Cristina Khan
ONLINE Asynchronous - Galia Cozzi Berrondo
ONLINE Asynchronous -Hnin Hnin Oo
An introductory social sciences survey examining gender and sexuality theories, women's
and feminist movements, and current debates within Women's, Gender, & Sexuality Studies.
The course draws on theories and methods of anthropology, economics, geography, history,
political science, psychology, and sociology to explore how gender intersects with
sexuality, race, ability and other constructed identity categories to structure power,
hierarchy, and privilege.
WST 103: Gender, Culture, Difference
IN PERSON - Tu/Th 12:30-1:50pm - Maura Conley
ONLINE Asynchronous - Angela Jones; TAs LaQuette Holmes, Lynette Kwaw-Mensah, Sonbol
Bahramikamangar
ONLINE Asynchronous - Genie Ruzicka
ONLINE Asynchronous - Hayden Cuttone
An introductory humanities survey focusing on evolving ideas of gender and gender
roles, and how gender intersects with sexuality, race, ability and other constructed
identity categories. Through the disciplines of literature, art, philosophy, and history
and the critical analyses of texts, objects, historical accounts, social media, and
current events, the course explores how cultural ideas of gender are expressed in
different genres in the humanities.
WST 111: Introduction to Queer Studies
IN PERSON - Tu/Th 11:00-12:20 - Peter Bruno
ONLINE Asynchronous - Kassel Franco Garibay
A survey of historical representations of sexuality and queerness from the late 19th
century to the present. Through examination of art, media, literature, and philosophy,
and critical theory, students develop an interdisciplinary understanding of lesbian,
gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer identities and the moral and ethical issues
surrounding sexuality. Themes include the social construction of sexuality; theories
of sex, desire, bodies, and sexuality; cisheterosexism and other intersecting forms
of oppression; and the historical roots of these issues.
WST 210 : Contemporary Issues in Women's and Gender Studies: "Gender and Embodiment"
IN PERSON - M/W - 2:00-3:20pm - Cristina Khan
Description TBA
WST 291: Introduction to Feminist Theory
IN PERSON - Tu/Th 3:30-4:50pm - Emillion Adekoya
ONLINE Asynchronous - AJ Castle
ONLINE Asynchronous - Lizbeth Zuniga
An introductory survey of historical and contemporary interdisciplinary theories used
in Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies. Theoretical debates on race, class, gender,
nation, disability, sexuality, representation, and social movements are among the
topics considered. The course will provide a strong theoretical foundation for further
studies in Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies.
WST 301 - Histories of Feminism
IN PERSON - Tu/Th 2:00-3:20pm -Victoria Hesford
ONLINE Asynchronous -Jose Flores Sanchez
A historical study of the theoretical and practical developments that form contemporary
feminism and gender studies. Although the course concentrates primarily on feminist
histories in the United States, it also places those histories within a transnational
frame, paying close attention to class and race as well as gender. Key historical
movements and events examined in the course include the suffrage movement, liberalism,
socialist feminism, feminist internationalism, Black and women of color feminism,
the women's liberation movement, radical feminism, and queer studies.
WST 305: Feminist Theories in Context
IN PERSON Tu/Th 11:00-12:20pm - Ritch Calvin
A study of major feminist and queer texts in the social sciences and humanities, providing
a deeper examination of theories of bodies, power, and subjectivity. Embodiment, intersectionality,
psychoanalysis, political economy, knowledge production, and representational systems
are among the topics covered.
WST 390: Special Topics in Women and Gender Studies in the Humanities: "Poetry as
Liberation"
IN PERSON - M/W 9:30-10:50am - Suzanne Staub
Audre Lorde stated, “Poetry is not a luxury.” Poetry as an accessible art form has
inspired/given voice to activism, advocacy, awareness and movement within society
and culture. During times of war, civil unrest, political injustice, and the continued
strive towards civil rights and equality, poetry has been a consistent outlet. Within
this course, students will examine various historical and contemporary works of poetry
and spoken word. We will uncover ideas of freedom, oppression, grief, sexuality, bodies
and identity in the works of poets such as Danez Smith, Claudia Rankine, Sylvia Plath,
and Ada Limón. Through analysis and discussion, students will discover ways in which
words can create/change to liberate. From formal writing to napkin scribbles using
various modalities and mediums such as art, writing and music; into the wreck we dive!
WST 392: Special Topics in Women and Science: "Documenting Mental Illness"
IN PERSON - Tu/Th 2:00-3:20pm - Lisa Diedrich
Mental illness often comes into public consciousness in the United States through
the specter of violence, such as in the many horrific mass shootings where the shooter’s
mental health is questioned. The media frenzy that accompanies these tragic events
presents a picture of mental illness that is at best limited and at worst harmful.
Indeed, statistics show clearly that people who are mentally ill are more likely to
be victims of violence than to commit violence. In this course we will explore mental
illness as a category of analysis that comes into being through a multiplicity of
discourses, practices, and institutions. We will look at a variety of case studies
about the experience and event of mental illness in diverse situations and communities,
and as presented in a variety of genres and forms—psychological and sociological analyses,
documentary and feature films, graphic and prose memoirs, and through interviews with
people who deal with mental illness in their daily lives. We will explore how certain
social situations—including, colonialism, incarceration, police violence, sexual violence,
and trauma—produce “nervous conditions” that can be disabling. We will look at historical
and contemporary diagnoses of and treatments for mental illness, as well as forms
of activism, including patient-centered advocacy, anti- and radical psychiatry, and
the Mad Pride and neurodiversity movements. Our goal is to expand and complicate our
understanding of the biopsychosocial politics of mental illness, as well as to think
broadly and creatively about effective, and even radical, ways to treat mental illness
and generate personal and social health and well-being.
WST 395: Topics in Global Feminism: "Anti-Gender Movements"
IN PERSON -M/W 11:00 -12:20pm -Liz Montegary
Description TBA
WST 398: Topics, in Gender, Race, & Ethnicity: "Immigration, Nation, & The Media"
IN PERSON - M/W 11:00-12:20pm - Nancy Hiemstra
This course explores how debates about immigration tie to ideas of national identity,
with a focus on the role played by media coverage of immigration issues and events.
We identify causes and consequences of immigration through an interdisciplinary lens,
with special attention to race, gender, class, sexuality, ability, and family. We
analyze restrictive laws and enforcement measures employed to maintain national borders—territorial
and conceptual—historically and today. We deconstruct common narratives, metaphors,
and images evident in media coverage of immigration, and examine how they shape popular
ideas about immigration, immigrant/citizen interactions, and experiences of citizenship
and belonging. Throughout the semester, we pay attention to current news and events, with
special attention to laws, policies, and political discourse. While our primary focus
is on the United States, we also give attention to the relationship between immigration,
nation, and media around the world. Course materials include a variety of academic
readings, news sources, social media, and film/video.
WST 407/WST 408: Senior Research Seminar for Women's & Gender Studies Majors & Minors
IN PERSON - Mondays 2:00-4:50pm - Liz Montegary
The senior research seminar is the capstone course for the interdisciplinary major
& minor in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. Utilizing research skills, concepts,
methods, and materials generated from their coursework in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality
Studies, students conduct interdisciplinary research to produce a research paper and
formal presentation on their topic of choice formulated and developed in seminar activities.
[Fall 2026 WST-Related Electives]
(If you see a course not listed here that you think might qualify as a WST elective,
email the WST Undergraduate Program Director, Professor Lisa Diedrich at lisa.diedrich@stonybrook.edu)
COM 346 - Race, Class, and Gender in Media
IN PERSON - Tu/Th 12:30-1:50pm - TBD
EGL/WST 372 - Topics in Women and Literature
IN PERSON - Tu/Th 11:00-12:20pm - Laura Kolb
PHI 384 - Advanced Topics in Feminist Philosophy (III)
IN PERSON - Tu/Th 9:30-10:50 - Valentina Moro
POL 347 - Women and Politics
IN PERSON - Tu/Th 12:30-1:50pm - Stephanie DeMora
PSY 240 - Survey in Social Psychology
IN PERSON - Tu/Th 9:30-10:50am - Marci Lobel
SOC 247 - Sociology of Gender
IN PERSON - Tu/Th 11:00-12:20pm - Rachelle Germana
SOC 340 - Sociology of Human Reproduction
IN PERSON - Wednesdays 6:30-9:20pm- Catherine Marrone
WRT 307 - Rhetoric of Science, Technology, and Medicine
IN PERSON - M/W 5:00-6:20pm - Ryan Mitchell