Commonly Asked Questions

What is WMGS | What's in it for me? | What will I learn in WMGS class? | What are the classes like? | Do I have to be a feminist to take a WMGS class? | Will there be people like me in WMGS classes? | What if I already have a major? | Does the WMGS program have Internships?

What is WMGS?
We are the Women’s and Gender Studies (WMGS) Program.

· Our program offers courses that focus on women in many subjects where they have previously been invisible or underrepresented (Women in American History, Women’s Health, Psychology of Women, etc.)
· A critical focus on gender allows us to examine a broad range of gender and sexual identities and expressions as well as power dynamics.
· Our goal is to give you a deeper understanding of the way society works by exploring how sex, race, class, sexuality and nationality—among other factors—shape our world, experiences and ways of thinking.
· The program offers courses in many different subjects including WMGS, History, English, Anthropology, Sociology, Psychology, Family and Child Studies, Justice Studies, Education, and Health. This variety allows you to develop a strong interdisciplinary lens of analysis.
· In our classes, topics include: eco-feminism; domestic violence; immigration; feminization of poverty; GLBTQ history and activism; globalization; women’s human rights; responses to trafficking in women and children; overlapping of racism, classism, sexism, and homophobia; plus many more!
· With WMGS, you will find connections between personal and political concerns enabling you to use your knowledge to create social change. Gender and sexuality make a difference in our lives—so can you!

What’s in it for me?
A degree in WMGS looks great on a resume since many employers are looking for those who are knowledgeable about issues of race, class, and gender. You gain personal strength and empowerment as you learn to think about the world in a different way.

What will I learn in a WMGS class?
You will learn about ideas and strategies for changing systems and institutions that disenfranchise people and how to make our world a better place for everyone.

What are the classes like?
Most students agree that WMGS classes are fun, interactive, and eye-opening. Our small class sizes have lively discussions and interesting lectures.

Do I have to be a feminist to take a WMGS class?
No, but you need to have an open mind and a willingness to learn about perspectives not often represented in mainstream society.

Will there be people like me in WMGS classes?
Yes, we encourage and welcome students from different religious, economic, and ethnic backgrounds as well as all sexual orientations, and genders. It is important that the critical thinking on the subject of women and gender be done by a diversity of thinkers to enrich the education of all students in the WMGS classroom.

What if I already have a major?
Because our classes overlap with some of the courses in other majors, it’s easy to double major in Women’s & Gender Studies; or you can have a WMGS minor or GLBTQ Studies minor to complement your major.

Does the WMGS program have Internships?
Yes! Through Cooperative Education Placement, you can work with organizations that deal with a wide range of women’s and gender issues. Just check our website.