As a women’s, gender, and sexuality studies major, students will develop a deep understanding of the social construction–and social consequences–of gender. They will focus on the lives of women, both past and present, in the American and global context, and their active involvement in the world. And since the field of women’s, gender and sexuality studies is relevant to every discipline, they will have the opportunity to take classes in biology, sociology, anthropology, English literature and more.
Learning Outcomes:
- Students will explore the historic, social, political and cultural context of the feminist movement in the United States (and its intersections with sexism and racism, classism, homophobia and other systems of power and oppression.)
- Students will examine the role of gender through five distinct areas of study: historical contexts, representations, global perspectives, self-making, and institutions or systems of knowledge. They will employ cross-cultural investigation to understand the dynamics and differences in the operation of gender in each area.
- Students will build a solid foundation in feminist and gender theory and develop a course of study based on what interests them most, before contextualizing all they learned in a capstone experience, which can take the form of a directed study, honors thesis, practicum or internship.