LS
Unit: College of Arts and Sciences
Department: Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies
Office location and address
207 Levering Hall
102 Amphitheater Way
Charlottesville,
Virginia
22904
Education
B.A., Earlham College
M.Ed., University of Virginia
Ph.D., University of Virginia
M.Ed., University of Virginia
Ph.D., University of Virginia
Biography
Lisa Speidel has worked in the Charlottesville community for 24 years in multiple positions related to women, gender and sexuality studies. Her outreach services at the Sexual Assault Resource Agency (SARA) included training programs at UVA and working directly with sexual assault peer education groups on Grounds. Her work and research focuses on examining the role of masculinity, healthy sexuality, gender based violence and the intersection of racism and other forms of systemic oppression. She also teaches women’s self-defense classes both in the community and as a credit-based class at UVA, and is developing a new self-defense program that focuses on acquaintance assault. At present she is working on an anthology that encompasses the unheard voices of navigating a sexually confusing culture.
Publications
Courses
Credits: 1
This course strives to develop the mind and body through martial arts. There will be an introduction to basic moves followed by more challenging techniques over the course of the semester. There is an equal emphasis on striking and grappling. This course is only offered when there is a qualified instructor available.
Credits: 2–3
Consult the University Seminars web page at www.virginia.edu/provost/USEMS.html (copy and paste Web address into browser) for specific descriptions.
Credits: 3
An introduction to gender studies, including the fields of women's studies, feminist studies, LGBT studies, & masculinity studies. Students will examine historical movements, theoretical issues, & contemporary debates, especially as they pertain to issues of inequality & to the intersection of gender with race, class, sexuality, & nationalism. Topics will vary according to the interdisciplinary expertise & research focus of the instructor.
Credits: 1–4
Special Topics in Women, Gender & Sexuality vary by semester.
Credits: 3
Examines human sexuality from psychological, biological, behavioral, social, and historical perspectives. Topics include sexual research and theoretical perspectives, sexual anatomy and physiology, sexual health, intimacy, communication, patterns of sexual response and pleasure and sexual problems and therapies. Course will also include examination of the development of sexuality and the intersections of other identities, gender identity, sexual orientation, sexuality and the law, sexual assault, and other social issues in sexuality.
Credits: 3
What is understood as "masculine" has varied throughout time as well as across cultural contexts and distinct social groupings, it is equally true that most historical periods, cultures, groups, etc. believe their own understandings of masculinity to be universal. In this course, we will deconstruct this. From this class, you should be able to think critically about where men and masculinity have been, where they are going, and what this might mean more generally for gender relations and gender inequality.
Credits: 3
This course provides the opportunity to offer a new course in the subjects of women, gender and sexualities.
Credits: 3
Introduction to dynamics of gender-based violence, the political and cultural structures that perpetuate it, and avenues for achieving social justice. Students will think critically about the (largely) domestic impact of this violence, and develop a practical understanding of how it intersects with other forms of oppression, by applying theory to real-world problems through experiential learning projects in the community and at the University.
Credits: 1–4
Independent Study
Credits: 1–4
This course provides the opportunity to offer a new topic in the subject of studies of women and gender.
Credits: 3
What is understood as "masculine" has varied throughout time as well as across cultural contexts and distinct social groupings, it is equally true that most historical periods, cultures, groups, etc. believe their own understandings of masculinity to be universal. In this course, we will deconstruct this. From this class, you should be able to think critically about where men and masculinity have been, where they are going, and what this might mean more generally for gender relations and gender inequality.
Credits: 3
This course begins by investigating how scholars from a wide array of disciplines define gender-based violence (GBV), its prevalence, causes, and consequences. Next, we focus on several areas where gender -based violence is pervasive, such as universities, poor neighborhoods, during war, and in the global economy. The final section of the course examines responses to GBV by health care providers, feminists, and governments. Prerequisite: 3rd or 4th year student
Credits: 3
Majors in Women, Gender and Sexuality (WGS) are encouraged to become Distinguished Majors. Students complete a two-semester written thesis (approximately 40-60 pages in length) in their fourth year under the supervision of a WGS faculty member. The thesis allows students to pursue their own interests in depth and have the intellectual satisfaction of defining and completing a sustained project. Please see your WGS advisor for more information. Prerequisites: WGS Major, WGS 2nd Major
Credits: 3
Majors in Women, Gender and Sexuality (WGS) are encouraged to become Distinguished Majors. Students complete a two-semester written thesis (approximately 40-60 pages in length) in their fourth year under the supervision of a WGS faculty member. The thesis allows students to pursue their own interests in depth and have the intellectual satisfaction of defining and completing a sustained project. Please see your WGS advisor for more information. Prerequisite: WGS Major, 2nd Major