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Women and Gender Studies Minor

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Empower Your Understanding in Women and Gender Studies

The Minor in Women and Gender Studies offers an interdisciplinary framework for understanding women's experiences globally. This program equips students with essential theories and methodologies in Women’s and Gender Studies, emphasizing the intersections of race, class, sexualities, and gender identity.

Through a diverse selection of courses, students will challenge stereotypes and explore the social, historical, and cultural implications of gender. The curriculum encourages engagement with feminist scholarship across various fields and promotes social activism by linking theory to practical applications in the community. This minor fosters a deeper understanding of gender while inspiring social change.

Program Highlights

  • Required courses - 18 credits
  • Challenge gender stereotypes by examining race, class, and identity intersections
  • Engage with contemporary feminist research across various disciplines

Course Requirements

Minor in Women and Gender Studies - 18 Credits

The Women’s Studies Minor is an interdisciplinary and trans-disciplinary program designed to provide students with the theoretical bases for understanding women’s experiences from a global perspective. As an academic discipline, Women’s studies and Gender studies both have their own distinct subject matter and research tools. This program emphasizes the ways that race, class, sexualities, gender identity and construction and a multitude of other factors intersect with the study and experiences of women in all cultures, historic periods and economic conditions. Through selected courses in Women’s Studies, as well as corresponding courses in Ethnic Studies and other disciplines, the minor challenges myths, prejudices, and stereotypes of women, as well as men. Coursework emphasizes the study of the effects of gender, race, class, ethnicity, and sexual orientation on world views; examines gender construction in its social, historical, and cultural implications; explores recent scholarship on women, gender, and feminist theory in many varied academic fields including the humanities, social sciences and the physical sciences. Many courses also consider traditional disciplines from a feminist perspective. The program places a particular emphasis on social activism, thus courses will explore social movements for gender equality incorporating an international focus and students are encouraged to explore links between theory and practice in their own communities through applied research and internships.

Required courses - 6 Credits

 

Electives - 12 Credits

Students must take 12 additional credits from the following courses:

Note:

Other courses may be designated as Women’s Studies electives when appropriate. Students interested in the minor can obtain further information and apply for admission to the program by contacting the advisor to the Women’s Studies minor or the Department Chair. Advising is provided by the coordinator and faculty involved with the minor.

What Can You Do with a Minor in Women and Gender Studies?

A minor in Women and Gender Studies can open doors to a variety of career paths and opportunities. Here are some potential avenues:

  • Advocacy and Nonprofit Work
  • Healthcare
  • Human Resources
  • Graduate Studies
  • Media and Communications
  • Public Policy
  • Research
Ethnic and Gender Studies Student at Campus Event with Light Board of Colors.

Be Effective and Make an Impact

Explore the complexities of gender, ethnicity, and intersectionality while developing essential skills such as research, critical thinking, advocacy, and effective communication. Through hands-on experiences in outreach with various organizations—including schools, clinics, and food pantries—you’ll connect academic knowledge to real-world issues. As scholar-activists, students actively contribute to their communities and beyond. Our program, the only one of its kind in New England, integrates race, class, and gender, offering powerful career preparation alongside courses that meet core and state diversity requirements.

Ethnic and Gender Studies faculty holding a sign that says welcome to the department.

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Women and Gender Studies Minor