Program Overview

What is Women's Studies?

Women's Studies explores women's past and present contributions to societies as persons, creators, and thinkers. It also explores the cultural, racial, and economic diversity of women's experiences as well as the scholarship concerned with the factors that affect women's lives. The 18 credit minor prepares students to think critically about issues with which they will be faced all of their lives. Thus, women's studies is an essential component of a liberal arts education.

Women's Studies draws upon methods and content from a wide range of disciplines, including anthropology, literature and the arts, biology, economics, history, political science, psychology, religion, and sociology. It seeks to extend students' intellectual development by helping them to understand women's accomplishments and capabilities, and by looking beyond the limits of traditional gender-differentiated roles.

What can you do with a Women's Studies minor?

Any student may elect Women's Studies as a minor in addition to a disciplinary or interdisciplinary major. The minor is excellent preparation for further study in law as well as for graduate programs in women's studies, psychology, social work, literature, and education. Graduates with women's studies minors are working in a variety of fields, including business, child and family services, education, journalism, medicine, ministry, politics, and social service administration.

Women's Studies prepares student to think critically about issues with which they will be faced all of their lives professionally and personally. The minor prepares students to better understand individuals, particularly but not only women, and the social structures that impact the lives of individuals. It also prepares students to think, research, and write while using strong interdisciplinary skills. Thus Women's Studies is an essential component of a liberal arts education.