Gender Studies is a cross-curricula major that seeks to answer the question, “What creates gender?” This major does not assume a biological, psychological or social constructionist etiology of gender, but seeks to explore how social constraints, biology, psychology, mythology, history, politics, art, and literature impact and reflect gender and gender identity. It includes the study of women’s and men’s societal roles, family roles, and intrapersonal identification. Feminist theory is one of the dominant theoretical approaches used to examine the focus question, but students are invited to explore gender through other perspectives as well.
The interdisciplinary nature of this major helps produce analytical thinkers who can form an understanding of how gender impacts our world. Personal views on sex and sexual preference, family structures, and gender identity are all informed by the assumptions made about whether and why men and women are fundamentally different. Examining gender cross-culturally and historically, as well as theories in a variety of disciplines, helps students deconstruct current beliefs and think critically about behaviors.
Students take Introduction to Gender Studies as a prerequisite course and then two foundational courses to establish a context for study. At the upper level students choose from courses in several disciplines, such as film studies, history, and psychology to expand on their understanding of gender.
