does anyone have any comments about this course (women studies 1a03)...I might take it next year

I do not know much about Women's Studies 1A03 but I did take Women's Studies 1AA3. I know that they are similar courses. In my experience I struggled a little at first with some of the concepts but I know that they are easier in 1A03 as it is more of an intro course.

Some people I talked to had complaints with the prof who taught 1A03 last year. I don't know if it will be the same prof. But otherwise they said it was a good class.

I would recommend taking a Women's Studies course though, it's a good elective. It was interesting and not only about feminist issues, but also concepts that could be applied to other disciplines. Hope this helps

two questions

1) Is majority of the class guys or girls?

2) Is the course eazy?

I disliked women's studies. I felt like I couldn't voice my opinion because I didn't conform with everyone in the class. It's not a hard course but I wouldn't call it easy. And it's about 99% female. There were maybe 4 guys in my class from what I saw.

I have not taken any first year or second year women studies courses but I would love to take a third year women studies course (WOMEN ST 3DD3 WOMEN IN A MULTICULTURAL SOCIETY). The prerequisite for the course is only registration in Level II or above but I am not sure if I should take this course. Since I have no experience in women studies, will I find a third year course difficult? In a women studies course, are students required to write a lot of essays?

Thanks for the help!!

If you are a male, I would advise against taking these types of courses. My dad said he took a Women's Studies course when he was in university because he thought it would be a good way to meet girls. It turns out it was only him and one other guy in the class with a whole bunch of angry feminist women who hated them.

Originally Posted by ferreinm

I disliked women's studies. I felt like I couldn't voice my opinion because I didn't conform with everyone in the class. It's not a hard course but I wouldn't call it easy. And it's about 99% female. There were maybe 4 guys in my class from what I saw.

You disliked the course because you only voice your opinion if people agree with you?

Originally Posted by Ownaginatios

If you are a male, I would advise against taking these types of courses. My dad said he took a Women's Studies course when he was in university because he thought it would be a good way to meet girls. It turns out it was only him and one other guy in the class with a whole bunch of angry feminist women who hated them.

Was your dad a jerk about it or something? I haven't taken women's studies but I've talked to the women's studies group at school. They're not man haters at all.

I can see why someone would be offended by your father taking Women's studies to meet girls. I think that's mocking, that's my opinion.

Originally Posted by sinthusized

Was your dad a jerk about it or something?

Hmm... now that I think about his grounds for taking the class, that's a distinct possibility :p

Not that it is right, but a lot of people take courses with an intention (sole or otherwise) to find someone to be with, whether short- or long-term. I recommend separating academic goals from that sort of thing, but perhaps the mix works for some.

It would be interesting to find out how many have hooked up through classses, and if it is more prevalent than other means of hooking up. Have these relationships been successful?

I took Women's Studies 1A03 and I didn't like it. It wasn't particularly hard or easy (my TA was pretty tough for first year though).

I wouldn't reccomend it. If you're into Women's Studies, then go ahead. But I'm not into that kind of stuff, and there was definately a good amount of what people may call "feminists" topics, which was hard for me to sit through. There was probably about 2 or 3 guys in the class of 200. There was a lot of reading and it was all very dry. Most of the coursework was incredibly boring to me.

I agree with another poster that said it was hard to voice my opinion. A lot of people in the class were hard-core feminists, and if you spoke any differntly, you got ripped apart.

I might have been able to handle that kind of thing in third or fourth year, but it was a pretty crappy "Welcome to McMaster!" first year, first term class. People were just too into it and nothing was fun. We even watched a great episode of Sex and the City, but a lot of the class made that unenjoyable.

Women's Studies courses tend to give off the "If you don't have my opinion you're wrong and misogynist" vibe.

None of the friends I have who took the first year courses enjoyed it.

Originally Posted by HeatherH

We even watched a great episode of Sex and the City, but a lot of the class made that unenjoyable.

Sex and The City, unenjoyable?? Blasphemy!!

Originally Posted by Geek

Sex and The City, unenjoyable?? Blasphemy!!

I actually like Sex and the City.
We were supposed to watch part of the episode and then discuss it. But so many people were booing and shouting things out the whole time.. it was ridiculous. The prof allowed it and I couldn't hear a damn thing.

Even though I'm not a big fan of Sex and the City, the fact that the prof allowed that kind of commentary is deplorable!