In the opinion of Jill Wood, an instructor in the women's studies program, the concept of "women's health" applies to much more than the ideas first associated with the term.

"The approach to women's health isn't just about disease, but it's actually health in a more holistic sense," Wood said. "It's about sexuality and reproduction and rights and so on."

To help exemplify and better identify this school of thought, the women's studies program is putting on a film series this semester every Wednesday night, beginning at 6 tonight in 209 South Henderson Building with The Stepford Wives.

The idea to put on a series of feminine-themed film arose when professor of women's studies Phyllis Mansfield organized an entire class based on films' portrayal of women's issues called Reel Women: Film, Feminism and Women's Health (WMNST 497B).

"I tend to use film in my classes and like to consider myself a bit of a film buff," Mansfield said. "I was unable to show many films that I know would be excellent to view in class, so I approached my director and asked to start up a class where I could use films as text for learning."

Mansfield didn't stop with just creating a class, however.

She wanted to be able to expose all Penn Staters to the films, so with help from co-sponsor the Center for Women Students, Mansfield was able to screen the films to the entire campus.

Mansfield picked all of the films herself using a variety of resources.

"I used some excellent women's studies and commercial catalogs, stuff I had seen at conferences, I got referrals and to some extent used my own knowledge," Mansfield said. "I could easily come up with a second list of films to do this again without having to search for another movie."

Tonight's film, The Stepford Wives, released in 1975, acted as a commentary in its time for the second wave of feminism.

A remake of the film is being released later this year, but Mansfield wants to make sure people see its predecessor.

"I think this film is a classic," she said. "It was made in the '70s, and it's about women gaining power in their lives and the reactions to it. It's a period piece now. It's unique because it's science fiction and a mystery and a suspense movie. I think they're missing the point in the new one."

Mansfield said she hopes the wide variety of films will be able to draw in a similarly wide audience.

"I think that every one of the films has something interesting to offer," she said. "They're very diverse in subject matter. Some are artistic and are more interesting as film, and some are documentaries and are more interesting for their subject matter."

Some professors, such as Patricia Koch, associate professor of biobehavioral health, are promoting attendance of the series by offering the films as extra credit to their students.

"I believe that they, as well as any Penn State student, will find viewing these films an enjoyable and enlightening experience," Koch said. "They will gain a new perspective of health and a better understanding of women from seeing these films."

The Stepford Wives will be shown tonight at 6 in 209 South Henderson Building.

It is free and open to all Penn State students and faculty.