PAM 4440

Violence Against Women: Policy Implications and Global Perspectives

Course Description

Course information provided by the Courses of Study 2014-2015.

Violence is committed against women worldwide at an alarming rate. This course focuses on the historical and current reasons for and impact of violence against women both domestically and internationally. The impact of legislative, public, social, economic, or religious policies on the incidence of such violence is considered. Current and pending policies are identified and evaluated regarding their impact on violence against women in the United States and worldwide. Violence against women is committed to protect women's virginity, because women are viewed as property, for political reasons, as hate crimes, and in the name of culture, religion, and tradition. The types of violence discussed in this course include rape, child sexual abuse, homicide, battering, domestic violence, hate crimes, gay bashing, kidnapping, ethnic cleansing, war crimes, forced prostitution, female genital mutilation, honor killings, public beating, lashing, stoning, torture, infanticide, trafficking of women, forced abortions, acid attacks, and sati (self-immolation). Each student is required to evaluate the impact of one current policy and critique the potential value of one pending policy relating to violence against women.

When Offered Fall.

Prerequisites/Corequisites Prerequisite: A course in FGSS or PAM 2300.

• Students will critically analyze legislative, social, public, economic, or religious policies which impact on violence against women globally.
• Students will identify the types of violence which women endure in the United States and globally, and propose policies which are likely to be effective in reducing the violence.
• Students will investigate the impact of culture in attempting to create successful social change.
• Students will meet with policy makers, service providers, and activists who to reduce the incidence of violence against women in the US and globally.

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