Women's Studies Program

If you have knowledge,
let others light their candles in it.
—Margaret Fuller, poet

SPRING 2008 SCHEDULE OF COURSES

SUMMER 2008 SCHEDULE OF COURSES

What is Women's Studies?

Women's Studies is an interdisciplinary field of research and teaching that places gender and women at the center of inquiry. Central to our consideration of gender are the ways class, race, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, age and ability shape the female and male experience. Women's Studies raises important questions about gender as a socially and culturally constructed phenomenon that affects personal lives, artistic expression, work, social relationships, institutional structures, and the production of knowledge. Women's Studies students tend to be people who want to make a difference in the world. Each student's personal goals and intellectual development is of major importance, and we prize our ability to give students individual attention. (From Washington State University Women's Studies <http://libarts.wsu.edu/women/>)

Why Women's Studies?

Some students take a Women and Gender Studies minor because they are interested in studying about the types of issues listed above. In addition, some students find that the Women and Gender Studies minor complements their major in helping prepare them for certain professional roles such as:

• A science or math/education major who wants to encourage girls to study science and math in elementary and high school.
• A business major who plans to work in personnel and is interested in gender issues in the workplace.
• A criminal justice major who expects to deal with domestic violence.
• A social work major who will work with single parent families or with families who have experienced domestic violence.
• A psychology major who plans to do graduate work and then specialize in counseling women or gays or lesbians.
• An international studies major who will work in a developing country and wants to be aware of women-in-development issues.
• A literature or history or philosophy major who plans to do doctoral work and make gender issues his or her specialty.

The senior project offers students practical experience in a career of their choice. It also provides a vital connection with the wider community outside the university. This component of the program integrates academic theory with political and professional practice. (From Grand Valley State University Women and Gender Stuides <http://www.gvsu.edu/acad/women.html>)

Join PSU Women's Studies Club

psuwomenstudies-l@mail.pittstate.edu