Women Studies places women and gender at the center of academic inquiry and explores how gender intersects with categories such as sexuality, ethnicity, nationality, age and able-bodiedness. Women Studies courses provide historical and theoretical understandings of personal gender relationships and examines how this gendering informs public and global policies. We train students to work toward a world of non-discrimination and social justice; and to explore possibilities of women-oriented environmental sustainability.

The Women Studies Program offers a Student- Faculty designed major (75 credits) and a minor (30 credits) Both are multi-disciplinary, drawing on courses across the University including Fairhaven College. Women Studies extends globally both in course work and participation in study abroad programs. Classes are designed for collaborative learning, and foster creativity and active engagement in everyday issues that affect the lives of women (and men).

 

Why get a Women Studies major or minor?

Women Studies courses develop holistic and analytic perspectives on gender that will influence how you experience the world and the choices that you make in life. The major or minor strengthens any undergraduate degree and is particularly useful to students in the following ways:

- Women in Professions

Training in professional issues in the work place such as sexual harrassment, flex-time and parental leave. Women Studies graduates bring gendered perspecives to fields such as journalism, education, law, health, counseling, theology, politicics, and many other emerging professions.

- Women in Community Organizations

- Training for positions in non-profit organizations and women oriented community organizations. Women Studies graduates are needed as researchers, grant writers, organizers and campaign managers. Many grassroots organizations integrate concerns of sexuality, ethnicity, immigration and globalization.

- Global Organizations

- Skills to participate in a wide range of governmental and non-governmental global activities. Opportunities include business relationships, grant and funding administration, medical care, development projects, grassroots organizing, language and computer literacy.

- Preparation for Graduate School

Preparation for graduate degrees in women studies, law, medical care, social work, administration, education, history, anthropology, literary studies, international studies, or any other field that studies interactions within and across human communities.