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Why a Minor in Women's and Gender Studies?
What is a Minor?
A minor is a specific area of study a student pursues in addition to her/his major. A minor compliments the major, giving the student another area of expertise. Like a major, a minor may be taken to support a specific career direction or to develop competency and skills that will increase job choices following graduation.
Why Should I Get a Minor?
- To provide an ancillary area of specialization
- To gain a deeper knowledge of a subject
- To gain greater marketability after graduation (in job market or graduate school)
- To do something completely different-to achieve a balance
- To explore an area of intellectual or personal interest
Why a Women's and Gender Studies Minor?
A Women's and Gender Studies (WGST) minor provides students with "a REAL Education for the REAL World." Sensitivity to and training in women's and gender issues are extremely useful in a practical sense. Our WGST courses provide students with a better understanding of the diversity of human thought, experience, and interaction which is easily transferred to the real world. An understanding of how gender affects both our perceptions and expectations of others makes students distinctive when they enter the job market or apply for graduate school. Employers and graduate schools are actively seeking candidates with an expertise in women and gender issues because they understand the positive value of diversity. There are many practical applications for the Women's and Gender Studies minor.
In addition to increasing students' employment and graduate school marketability, a minor in WGST prepares students to be active citizens in their communities. Women's and Gender Studies transforms the way students see the world and themselves in it. Students learn to challenge the status quo-including their own assumptions and to think more globally. A minor in WGST promotes the development of a social awareness that enriches the student's life both professionally and personally.
Examples of Topics/Issues Studied in Women's and Gender Studies
- Domestic Violence
- Women in the Workplace
- Sexual Assault and Rape
- Feminization of Poverty
- Women in the Arts
- Women Writers
- Reproductive Rights
- Trafficking of Women & Girls
- Sex Workers
- Activism
- Motherhood: Single mothers, Childcare, Balancing motherhood & Career, etc.
- Forced Labor & Wage Exploitation
- Sexual Identity
- How Women and Men are represented in Pop Culture
- Masculinity Studies
- Social Justice
- Women and Religion
- History of Women
- Racism
- Feminist Theories
- Beauty Culture
- Women of Color
- Sexual Double Standard
- Queer Theory
- Women's Health Issues
- Women and Politics
- Women's Experiences
- Global Perspectives on Gender
- Social Justice Issues
How Do I Become a Women's and Gender Studies Minor?
In order to declare Women's and Gender Studies as your minor you will need to complete the Declaration of Minor form and return it to Carswell Hall. The Director of the program will sign the form and deliver it to the registrar's office. An advising file will be opened for you and kept in Carswell Hall.
Who is My Women's and Gender Studies Advisor?
In an effort to provide the best academic advising possible, Dr. Tracy Woodard-Meyers (Director) will be your Women's and Gender Studies Advisor. You are strongly encouraged to contact Dr. Woodard-Meyers for an advising session at least once each semester.