Faculty
C. Tess Varner, director
Aileen L.S. Buslig
Karla Knutson
Susan J. Larson
Susan J. Lee
Michelle M. Lelwica
Philip C. Lemaster
Joy K. Lintelman
Gay G. Rawson
Darcie R. Sell
Elna K. Solvang
Heather Waddell
Amy S. Watkin
Women’s and gender studies is an interdisciplinary minor that places the lives and experiences of women at the center of inquiry by analyzing the roles and perspectives of women as well as their contributions to the scholarly, artistic, political, social and religious worlds. Courses incorporate theory and research from different disciplines that examine the degree to which gender is a social construct. The women’s and gender studies program is dedicated to building a more complex and inclusive portrait of humanity by using gender as a category of analysis, along with other differences, such as race, ethnicity, class, ability, and sexuality.
The women’s and gender studies program provides learning experiences that prepare students to achieve the following outcomes:
- Critically examine how cultural assumptions about gender, in conjunction with ethnicity, social class, sexual orientation and other social variables, shape the lives of people of all genders – personal, professional and public.
- Identify how feminist analyses question the traditional boundaries, methods and assumptions of academic disciplines.
- Demonstrate knowledge about women’s contributions to academic disciplines and to society.
- Communicate about key issues and insights in women’s and gender studies in one’s personal, professional, academic and public life.
Courses
This course is an introduction to the study of women and theories of gender from different disciplinary and cultural perspectives. It is designed to help students achieve a more complex and inclusive portrait of humanity by using gender as a category of analysis, along with other variables such as race, ethnicity, class and sexuality. Students will be introduced to feminist theory and scholarship, in addition to exploring issues such as family and work, creativity and spirituality, women's reproductive health and women's relationships to their bodies. This course will explore differences among women both in the U.S. and globally.
Courses covering various topics of interest in this particular discipline are offered regularly. Contact department or program chair for more information.
This course provides an opportunity for individual students to conduct in-depth study of a particular topic under the supervision of a faculty member. Contact the program director for more information.
This course provides an opportunity for individual students to conduct research in a specific area of study, completed under the direction of a faculty mentor. Specific expectations of the research experience to be determined by the faculty. Repeatable for credit. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.