Lawsuit against Columbia University's Women's Studies course for discrimination. Your thoughts?

Question

The reason behind the lawsuit is that the Women's Studies is discriminatory because there is no Men's Studies to keep the balance or something along that line.

What do you think?

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation/AP/story/647277.html

Answer 1

I am curious if they will sue the African American studies department, too.

Answer 2

Lets sue Y!A for the same crime. I really don't see the purpose of having a womans studies course. The whole idea of having a course on Womans Studies goes against gender equality, it makes women out to be a privilaged seperate specie that needs to be studied and treated differently from the rest of the human race.

Answer 3

This lawsuit is ridiculous because it claims feminism is a "religion."

Women's Studies is more than exploring different feminist theories; it looks at women from cultural, sociological, historical, psychological, and anthropological perspectives.

I suggest the gentleman examine a syllabus for a Women's Studies course.

______________________________________...

This is a sample of some of Columbia's Women's Studies courses:

WMST BC1050x Women and Health :

An introduction to women's health across the life span; course emphasizes the scientific basis of present knowledge. Instructors integrate biology with sociology, anthropology, psychology, history, medicine, and women's studies to explore the diverse influences on women's health.

WMST BC3132x Gendered Controversies: Women's Bodies and Global Conflicts:

A seminar investigating the significance of social, political, and cultural conflict centered on issues concerning women's lives.

WMST BC3136x Asian American Women's Literature

WMST BC3134y Unheard Voices: African Women's Literature

WMST BC3121y Black Women In America

http://www.college.columbia.edu/bulletin...

Answer 4

This highlights my disappoint of with feminism and their antagonists. Though I don't agree with the philosophies of feminists I also don't support "t*t for tat" actions like this. There are real battles that need fighting but ending Ladies Night and Women's studies are not those battles. I suppose he is the Jesse Jackson of whatever movement he is starting.

Answer 5

The lawsuit is against Columbia University, a private institution.  You know like that golf club that won't allow women.      

Answer 6

Instead of issuing a lawsuit, why wouldn't the men petition for a course?  Wouldn't that make more sense?  But, as they haven't, I would suggest it is because they have no interest in such a course....

Answer 7

He sounds like a stereotypical slip and fall civil rights attorney who will sue them for millions in punitive damages and legal fees for "righting the wrong" He can be the Al Sharpton of men!  

Answer 8

We do have men;s studies.

Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Law, Mathematics etc. are studies of what men have achieved.

Women's studies courses are  a study of what women have not achieved.

Answer 9

everyone else has filed stupid law suites saying something has offended them that really didn't. So I guess it's time for this.

Answer 10

Hummm....well I cant say i agree with him and i doubt this will get anywhere.  Might as well sue over black history month, or the African studies programs at colleges.  

But he is doing something, and fighting for something he believes in....and there are worst things to do with your life.  

Answer 11

I think it's a frivolous lawsuit that someone filed just to make a statement, not because they actually care...

Answer 12

I think the course should be called "Gender Studies".

Or alternatively, I think the litigant should be allowed to teach his own course on "Men's Studies" IF he can actually produce quality academic publications :)) It would be interesting to see what he'd try to come up with. My bet is that he'd be laughed out of the university.

Answer 13

I answered a similar question here http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

In short, I'm all for it.