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Women's and Gender Studies

Program Overview

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The Women’s and Gender Studies program offers students a major that can be completed alone or as a double-major, as well as a six-course concentration that can be used to supplement any other academic major. 

The program boasts more than 20 faculty members and offers a wide range of courses.

Why Choose Women's and Gender Studies?

Because It Matters

The Women’s and Gender Studies Major and Concentration provide an integrated approach to understanding the social and cultural constructions of gender that shape the experiences of people in society.

The curriculum:

  • Offers a solid foundation in women’s and gender studies
  • Facilitates graduate study and careers involving gender justice
  • Prepares students for a leadership role, especially in diverse workplaces and communities

Because It's Cool

Women’s and gender studies are relevant now more than ever. Development agencies such as the World Bank and the United Nations are focusing many of their efforts on women. This is important as women have developed survival skills and knowledge that are often more sustainable than mainstream development models.

Women are increasingly taking on positions of leadership and contribute largely to culture, the arts, and knowledge. It is important for everyone to:

  • Have a historical understanding of women’s roles and how they are changing
  • Learn to value women’s contributions and insights
  • Understand gender and its involvement with race and class

Over the last 40 years, the field has evolved to develop advanced research methodologies and approaches to understanding both our past and our future. Students develop to be leaders for others and create change. They learn to understand the historical, cultural, social, and political causes of oppression and to think creatively about equality. 

Because It's Practical

Because of the growing importance of women's concerns globally, undergraduates who enroll in Women's and Gender Studies are well prepared for professional programs in:

  • Law
  • Medicine
  • Business
  • Social work

Students who major or concentrate in Women's and Gender Studies are well prepared to work in education, policy institutions, development, media, social work, and the private sector.

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