As students search for classes for the fall semester, LSA officials hope to offer an alternative perspective to regular classes.
This fall's LSA theme semester, "Genders, Bodies and Borders," offers 45 classes in 24 different departments.
Judy Mackey, an administrative assistant in the women's studies department, said that the theme semester intermingles many different disciplines.
"Many of the classes are co-taught by women's studies faculty and professors in other departments," Mackey said.
These classes will focus on "genders" - cultural constructions of manhood and womanhood; "bodies" - biological and physical issues; and "borders" - the natural and cultural boundaries present in society.
This program is jointly sponsored by the Institute for Research on Women and Gender, the women's studies program and the International Institute.
Jayne London, staff member at the Institute for Research on Women and Gender, said the theme semester was developed last summer during a seminar called "Differences Among Women: International Perspectives." Graduate student instructors and faculty participated in the seminar.
After the seminar, the committee received a grant from the Ford Foundation, as well as approval from LSA administrators.
Mackey said the committee "sent out a call for faculty and graduate students and received a tremendous response."
Many students have inquired about taking classes in the theme semester, Mackay said. "I expect to see a lot of enrollment," she said.
Nursing sophomore Pamela George said she thinks the theme semester's topic is a great idea.
"It allows a new outlook on subjects that have been previously untouched by other classes," George said.
London said organizers wanted to bring feminist analysis and international perspectives together.
Currently, many of the LSA classes offered in gender issues either look only at the perspective of the United States or only at foreign views, but rarely both at the same time, London said.
LSA sophomore Anisha Hundiwal said these classes offer unique perspectives.
"I think theme semesters are intriguing because (they allow) students to take classes in subjects they are interested in," Hundiwal said. "These types of classes were not offered before.
"It also lets students become more diversified in all areas. I would definitely take a class for credit," Hundiwal said.
In addition to the fall semester classes, there will also be a series of lectures, films and performances throughout the semester.