Women’s Studies

The women’s studies program is administered by the Center for Women’s Studies and Gender Research. It is an interdisciplinary forum for the study of gender, its function in cultures and societies and its intersection with race and class. The program has a faculty of internationally recognized scholars in a variety of disciplines. It employs feminist and other theoretical approaches and methodologies.

The center cooperates with faculty groups concerned with women’s issues such as the Association for Academic Women and GEAP (Gender, Environment and Agriculture Program). It also has contact with student groups such as Campus NOW and the Women’s Affairs Cabinet. The center houses archives, a library, an art gallery, offices and meeting spaces.

Career Opportunities: Women’s Studies prepares students for a broad range of employment and graduate or professional study. It gives high priority to helping students make informed choices about careers. The Women’s Studies Graduate Certificate (12 credits), Gender and Development (GAD) Certificate, a Master of Women’s Studies and a Ph.D. concentration are available for additional career preparation. Graduates find employment as counselors, therapists, social workers, attorneys, journalists, market-analysts, political analysts, college professors, television producers, union organizers for women workers and fundraisers for women’s organizations.

The Major: A major in women’s studies may be arranged through the college’s interdisciplinary studies program (2014 Turlington). In addition to college requirements, the major requires 28 credits: 18 credit hours of approved courses (see list in the description of courses), the core course WST 3015 (3 credit hours), three credit hours of independent study (WST 4905) and four credit hours of thesis (IDS 4906). All courses must have grades of C or better.

The thesis project should be designed in consultation with a member of the women’s studies faculty and the program director. As is the case with all interdisciplinary majors, after the student works out a specific program, it must be approved by the college’s Interdisciplinary Studies Committee (IDS). Applications are available in 2014 Turlington.

Students satisfy CLAS electives by developing a course schedule with the help of the sponsor. The electives should complement a particular emphasis area. Since many of the 3000-4000 level courses have prerequisites, students should plan their first four semesters of work with the major in mind. Under certain circumstances, instructors will waive some prerequisites for IDS majors, but with space at a premium, students should not anticipate avoiding any requirements. Some seniors pursuing this major may, with instructor consent, enroll in a graduate course such as WST 5933.