Gender and Women’s Studies Department

Professor: 
Associate Professors: S. Mody (chairperson), C. Oxford
Lecturer: K. Branagan
Adjunct Faculty: Four positions

Gender and Women’s Studies broadens students’ knowledge and awareness of gender dynamics. In our interdisciplinary courses, students learn about feminism as a powerful analytical framework. They examine how social and cultural institutions have historically treated men and women differently and how these differences reinforced the economic, social, and political disadvantage of women. We treat gender as a socially constructed category and the issues we address in our courses provide students with tools to critically examine their own identity, social location, and relationships. We pay particular attention to issues of power, privilege, and structured inequalities by learning how gender intersects with other differences, including, but not limited to, those based on race, class, sexual orientation, age, ability, religion and culture. We also consider inspiring accounts of activism and struggles for gender equality and social justice across cultures and contexts, both locally and globally. Our curriculum is comprised of several required courses for majors and minors, Gender and Women’s Studies electives, as well as electives taught in other departments. Students choose a major in Gender and Women’s Studies, or a minor in Gender and Women’s Studies paired with a major in another field. Although it is not required, many of our majors chose a minor or major in another field. In addition to pursuing their course work, students are encouraged to participate in student organizations and to attend our forums and special events. We nurture our students and seek to enhance their personal and intellectual journeys through close mentoring, regular advising, internships, independent studies, teaching assistantships, and unique study abroad opportunities. Many of our graduates choose to pursue advanced degrees in Gender and Women’s Studies or related fields. Others find careers in politics, international organizations, community leadership, education, social work, health care, business and the arts.

Programs

• Gender and Women’s Studies, B.A.

• Gender and Women’s Studies Minor