Course Spotlight: WGS 331

What happens when we use feminist theories to critically analyze the history of Western global health practices? This question, among others, is explored through Women’s and Gender Studies (WGS) 331: Feminist Theoretical Perspectives in Gender and Health. Throughout the semester, Throughout the semester, students challenge conventional notions within the health sciences, uncovering how the intertwined constructs of gender, sex, and race have not only systematically marginalized certain bodies and experiences but also profoundly shaped our understanding of health and disease.  By engaging with diverse feminist perspectives—including embodiment theory, disability justice, critical race theory, medical anthropology, and queer feminism—this interdisciplinary course prompts students to reimagine the foundations of global health equity.

WGS 331 is offered each Fall and Winter semester by a rotating roster of interdisciplinary faculty members and is open to students from all disciplines interested in feminism and health. In Fall 2023, Dr. Seda Saluk—assistant professor of Women's and Gender Studies and a member of the Center for Global Health Equity at the University of Michigan—taught the course for the first time. Dr. Saluk's curriculum emphasized a global health perspective, shedding light on how power structures and systemic violence have played crucial roles in creating, normalizing, and perpetuating health inequities worldwide.

In-class discussion is a particularly important part of Dr. Saluk’s teaching. “I always start the semester by pointing out that we are a learning community, which means we are here to learn together. There is no right or wrong way, or a single way, to discuss things as long as we are willing to learn together, respect one another, and do not reproduce harm in our class discussions and engagement with the course material or each other,” said Dr. Saluk.

Students enrolled in the Fall section of WGS 331 came from various disciplines and experiences, and were eager to provide their own insights in reading discussions, papers, and projects. No prior knowledge of feminist theory or the health field is required for enrollment in the course. However, both students and Dr. Saluk reminded us that curiosity and willingness to participate and learn are crucial. Says Dr. Saluk, this emphasis on interdisciplinary and cross-cultural exchange provide a solid foundation for students to explore gender and health, especially within a community of diverse backgrounds.

Students who joined Dr. Saluk for the Fall 2023 semester expressed that the course had a significant  impact on their skills and world knowledge.Katie Austin, a junior with a double major in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience (BCN) and Asian Studies (Chinese) with a minor in Gender & Health, shared:

“I used to think that most concepts in our lives were purely socially constructed, but this class taught me that some conditions still have a biological basis and should be studied with a critical lens anyway. For instance, I learned that ADHD has a biological basis-- people have biological variations that could lead to variations in attentional challenges. However, it's within specific social contexts that we see whether a condition should be considered a medical problem.”

Ultimately, WGS 331 offers students a unique opportunity to critically examine health and medicine through a feminist lens. By challenging traditional perspectives and exploring diverse theoretical frameworks, this course equips students with the tools to recognize and address systemic inequities in healthcare. Whether pursuing careers in medicine, public health, social sciences—or any field intersecting with health and gender issues—students will leave this course with a deeper understanding of how power structures influence health outcomes. As our global health landscape continues to evolve, the insights gained from WGS 331 are an important educational opportunity for students to be more informed, empathetic, and effective advocates for equitable healthcare practices worldwide.