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Our Spring Lecture Series on March 4, 2009 featured
Barbara Martinez Jitner
who spoke on the topic "Femicide at Our U.S. Border: To Be a Woman in Juarez is a Death Sentence"
Barbara Martinez Jitner (third from right) with members of Bradley's Association of Latin American Students
Martinez is best known for her documentary about the exploitation of women factory workers on the US/Mexico border entitled “La Frontera”. This was the inspiration for the film “Bordertown.” Martinez Jitner was aso the executive producer of the primetime series “American Family,” for which she received a Golden Globe nomination and an Emmy award. “American Family” made history as the first Latino drama on broadcast TV. Martinez will discuss the border town of Juarez, Mexico, and her research into the extensive violence against women factory workers. This town has been nicknamed “The Capital of Murdered Women” because over 400 women have been found raped, mutilated, and murdered. These women labored in American-owned factories created by NAFTA. Sponsored by WMS and ICAC.
Women's Studies is an interdisciplinary field of study which explores the influence of gender on all aspects of society. Recognizing the predominance of gender inequality both in scholarship and society, the program seeks to address past scholarly neglect of women and to critically examine assumptions and theories about women in society.
The Program
Women's Studies at Bradley University offers a unique interdisciplinary program with a deep commitment to students, both in the classroom and across campus. Since our first student graduated with a women's studies minor in 1985, we have significantly expanded both our course offerings and cultural programs. More and more Bradley students are eagerly exploring our classes and earning a women's studies minor in the process.
The Minor
The Women's Studies minor consists of five courses: two requirements and three electives (15 credit hours.) The introductory course, a must for all minors, explores such issues as racial and class differences among women, sexuality, domestic violence, and politics. The independent research course, also a requirement, allows students to choose a topic which combines women's studies and their major. Students may choose their three electives from our diverse course offerings in the following departments: Art, Communication, English, Foreign Languages, History, Nursing, Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology.
Our Courses
Women's Studies courses cover a rich and broad range of subjects. In our English classes you might delve into the pages of a novel and explore such themes as women's social roles, relationships, women's friendships, or racial and ethnic conflict. Interested in history? Learn about the women who fought in the U.S. revolution or the witchcraft trials in colonial Massachusetts. Our Women and Health class investigates health problems confronting women and the response of our medical establishment. Perhaps you are interested in politics and would prefer to read about public policy issues affecting women and the family? Don't forget our popular psychology course which introduces the current literature focused on gender and behavior. Finally, for those concerned with social problems, our sociology classes explore sexism, racism, family, and gender-role definitions.
Our Activities
The Women's Studies Program offers more than a minor and a variety of classes. Our interdisciplinary committee which includes staff, faculty, and students from Chemistry, English, Finance, Foreign Languages, Sociology, Art, Communication, and other departments, is committed to providing students with cultural and intellectual programs throughout the year. Ranging from comedians to political leaders, we seek to bring to campus provocative and captivating speakers who discuss the latest cultural and political issues. We also host informal gatherings and sponsor student groups such as Students Against Sexism in Society.
Our Location
Visit us in Bradley Hall 336D (Director Stacey Robertson) or 226 (Program Assistant Maggie Koehler).