Gender Balancing the Curriculum with Faculty/Student Teamwork: A Case Study.

A five-year pilot project was initiated at Eastern Washington University (Cheney, Washington) in 1983 to integrate women's scholarship into the university's traditional disciplines. The existing women's studies curriculum committee acted as the project's steering committee and offered assistance to the faculty through selected student resource persons. The resource persons selection was based on their knowledge of the discipline and research skills. Some curriculum innovations by these students included textbook analysis for gender balance, the compilation of information packets, additional lecture materials, guest speakers, and a questionnaire designed to explore business students' attitudes towards women's issues in business. As a result of the project: (1) specific curriculum changes in social work, biology, art, and black studies were incorporated; (2) a brochure describing the project was developed and disseminated; (3) project materials were organized and placed in binders for university departments; and (4) a feminist theory research program series was initiated. The final evaluation of the project has yet to be conducted, but the project will become statewide in the next academic year through three workshops. (DJC)