Women's Studies

Women’s Studies is an interdisciplinary major founded on the promise that gender is a historically variable construction that centrally shapes the historical experience and every day lives of women and men. It also assumes that gender, race, class, and sexual and national identities are constructed in relation to each other. Content areas include concepts of self and family, theories of sex differences, history, cultural contributions, and the study of society’s institutions. The emphasis is on increasing the awareness of objective conditions in women’s lives throughout the world, and on developing critical analytical skills. A degree in women’s studies may be used as preparation for a wide range of careers. Professional opportunities exist in political and social agencies working with women and developing public policy on women’s issues such as health care, employment, family violence, and education. Women’s studies students prepare for careers in such fields as law, journalism, public administration, social services, personnel, and psychology. A women’s studies major may also go on to advanced academic work preparing for a career as a women’s studies scholar.