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Undergraduate Women and Gender Studies Program

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Related Information
Course Catalog
Program Application

"Women's Studies is a great field— it helps you see our society from a different perspective."

- Cynthia Zepeda, Class of 2012

Women and Gender Studies is a structured, interdisciplinary program that teaches students to:

  1. Understand key concepts and issues associated with the study of women, gender, and sexualities from an interdisciplinary perspective
  2. Use feminist theoretical frameworks to understand complex intersecting structures of power
  3. Analyze historical and current gendered experiences, representations and systems critically and comparatively across cultures and contexts
  4. Demonstrate knowledge of the significance of gender in social and political contexts and in social and political movements
  5. Engage in praxis, applying theoretical frameworks to involvement in working toward social justice

 

Required courses for the Major:

Students in this program must take the following courses. Internships are required for WGS majors and are strongly encouraged for WGS minors.

  • WGS 201W:PII Introduction to Women and Gender Studies*
  • ANT/SOC313G: PII Gender & Society
  • PSY/SOC 327: PII Human Sexual Behavior
  • SWK 300K: Human Diversity
  • WGS 350W: Feminist Theories and Methods*
  • WGS 440: Senior Seminar in Women and Gender Studies*
  • WGS 483: Internship in Women and Gender Studies

Electives:
Major: In addition to the 7 required courses, students must take four elective courses that are clustered to represent a coherent focus. This selection should be done in consultation with the student's advisor. Students can use the "WGS Electives Petition" form to aid in this process.

Minor:
Students can also declare a minor by taking the 3 courses above with asterisks and 3 additional electives

Program FAQs

What is Women and Gender Studies?

Women and Gender Studies is an interdisciplinary field that is committed to the study of women in society within both historical and contemporary contexts. Women and Gender Studies pays particular attention to the examination of intersections between gender and race, ethnicity, class, sexuality, age, ability, nation and other categories for analysis. Courses in Nazareth's Women and Gender Studies program draw upon the social sciences, humanities and the natural sciences as well as professional programs. Women and Gender Studies students learn to understand and address gender specific social injustices and develop skills to initiate social change.

At Nazareth College, this program's mission is to provide an intellectual community for students, faculty, and staff, where alternatives to western and masculine paradigms can be fostered. We are committed to inclusivity across the curriculum - i.e., to transform curricula into which the study of gender issues are fully integrated.

By heightening awareness that women's gendered experiences and status are in fact the concerns of all, Women and Gender Studies programs encourage students to reach their full potential and support them to become leaders in their private and public lives. The program's interdisciplinary focus enhances students' career options helps prepare them for ongoing graduate education.

Why should I major in Women and Gender Studies?

A major in Women and Gender Studies prepares students for work in a variety of academic fields and professions. Students can combine a major in Women and Gender Studies with coursework in any department at Nazareth which enhances learning in other disciplines. Women and Gender Studies has an interdisciplinary perspective which prepares students for further study in multiple fields of graduate study or work within agency or non-profit environments that focus on women's, gender and/or sexuality issues. Graduates can be especially well prepared for human resource environments, law, medicine, public health, public policy, education, social work, psychology, business, communication, student personnel services, history, politics, etc.

How will a major in Women and Gender Studies help me in the future?

A major in Women and Gender Studies heightens awareness that gender issues are pertinent to everyone. Our students acquire an interdisciplinary perspective and critical thinking skills that are essential for graduate study in a wide range of fields. In addition, students acquire a broader sense of community and a global perspective, which prepare them for careers that are committed to social responsibility.

Some courses offer opportunities for experiential learning; students may participate in feminist research, activism and make site visits to people and places in the greater Rochester area that are pertinent to the field.

In cooperation with Mr. Al Cabral, Director of the College Internship Program, Women and Gender Studies majors will be able to arrange internship opportunities with a special focus on women's and gender issues.

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