What is Women and Gender Studies?
The field of Women and Gender Studies investigates the systems of
gender, power, and representation that shape the lives of women and
men, girls and boys. As an interdisciplinary field of study, Women and
Gender Studies' scholarship plus gender - what it means to be male or
female, masculine or feminine - at the center of analysis. It asks
such questions as: How does one's gender affect participation in the
family, economy, politics, and the arts?: How do language, ideology,
and visual representation convey meanings about women's and men's
status in society? How has that status changed historically? How does
the experience of gender vary according to one's race, class,
nationality, religion, and sexual identity? Through its
interdisciplinary orientation linking the humanities, arts, social
sciences, and the health sciences, Women and Gender Studies enables
women and men to work together to promote social justice.
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A major in Women and Gender Studies is an important complement to all
fields and is particularly important in professions concerning people
and social institutions, such as journalism, law, social work,
teaching, government and more.
A Women and Gender Studies major provides an excellent preparation for graduate study in a variety of academic disciplines.
The Women and Gender Studies minor complements other minors and
provides excellent career preparation for business, criminal justic,
social work, psychology and international studies majors.
If you are thinking of pursuing a degree in the study of women and gender, please contact the director, Jo Reger, at
reger@oakland.edu or 248-370-2575.