Gender and Women's Studies
Are you eager to explore the role gender plays in the construction of identities and the social and political organization of society and culture? Our cross-disciplinary program offers a vibrant and rigorous course of study in this important and growing field. As you advance, you'll find opportunities for internships, awards and study abroad.
Upon graduating, many students pursue graduate studies in fields such as law, social work or education. Others launch a career in a variety of public service or private industry roles, including health, counseling, government, community work, politics, business, social services, spiritual leadership, environment, media and the arts.
This program includes exploration of the following areas:
- History of the varied and changing ways that societies have defined gender.
- Theory of how Women’s Studies, Queer Studies and Gender Studies have developed.
- Institutions and power of how gender identity is constructed.
- Intersectionality of gender identities, recognizing that gender cannot be studied in isolation from social structures.
- Rhetoric of how gender definitions and roles are expressed in linguistic structures.
Are you eager to explore the role that gender plays in the construction of identities and the social and political organization of society and culture? Our students unpack gender, race, sexuality, class and disability and the impact they have on our communities. Our cross-disciplinary program offers a vibrant and rigorous course of study in this important and growing field.
As you advance through the program, you'll find various opportunities for internships, awards and study abroad. Upon graduating, many students pursue graduate studies in fields such as law, social work or education. Others choose to skip the academic route and launch a career in a variety of public service or private industry roles, including health, counseling, government, community work, politics, business, social services, spiritual leadership, environment, media and the arts.
This program includes exploration of the following areas:
- History of the varied and changing ways that societies have defined gender.
- Theory of how Women’s Studies, Queer Studies and Gender Studies have developed.
- Institutions and power, which examines how gender identity is constructed by social institutions such as education, the church, the family, public policy, law and the media.
- Intersectionality of gender identities, which recognizes that gender cannot be studied in isolation from social structures and other identities.
Featured Courses
GWST 1015
Voice and Gender
About this Course
In this course, students explore gender in personal and political contexts with the intent of developing their individual voices in these arenas. Students learn to express creatively their voice through strengthening both their written and oral communication skills. The course also discusses gender issues prevalent in today's society and significant moments in rhetorical history that have impacted these issues.
GWST 2765
The Female Offender
About this Course
Female offenders are one of the fastest growing segments in both the juvenile and adult justice systems. This course introduces students to debates and issues surrounding girls, women, and crime; explores different theoretical perspectives of gender and crime; and examines the impact of gender on the construction and treatment of female offenders by the justice system. In addition, this course specifically looks at girls' and women's pathways to offending and incarcerations; understanding girls' violence in the inner city; exploring the reality of prison life for women, with a particular focus on the gender-sensitive programming for incarcerated mothers; and ending with an examination of how capital punishment has affected women offenders historically and contemporarily.
Application Information
