Fact Sheet 05: Women's Studies

Revised August 2005

Women's Studies

Historically, the goal of a liberal arts education has been to introduce students to the infinite heritage of human learning, while giving them the skills to evaluate this body of knowledge independently and critically. Women's experiences often have been either left out of this heritage or overshadowed by bias in the universities that has placed women's lives, culture, and historical contributions in a subordinate position to those of men.

Women's studies provides you, as a student, with practical and integrative skills not readily available elsewhere in the University. It brings all women, including those of color, into the heart of the educational process; promotes tolerance on campus; addresses issues of diversity and internationalism; and validates personal experience in academic pursuits. Its research and curricular content and methodology are multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary. The only discipline in which these elements are brought together and explicitly examined, a women's studies major offers you a course of study that speaks to the needs of American society and to the issues that women will face in the 21st century.

Career Preparation

The women's studies program provides unique insights and knowledge, while complementing a number of other curricula. The interdisciplinary awareness of women's studies leads to an integrated understanding of people and society, which will serve you well in any career you may choose. For instance, the field may assist you as a psychology major who wishes to pursue a career in counseling by demonstrating how human thoughts and behaviors are influenced by such sociocultural factors as gender. In addition, a background in women's studies offers you greater self-understanding and self-esteem, as well as perspectives more directly related to careers.

Various organizations are looking for people with expertise in gender-related issues. As a student of women's studies, you can become a consultant in advertising, marketing, or research, and take up a career in personnel management. You can work in one of the 2,000 women-oriented social service agencies in the United States. You can become attorneys or physicians. You can work in a human relations field. A knowledge of women's studies and a familiarity with the vital resources that are related to issues of gender, race, and age are helpful for a career in all of these areas.

Career Placement

Women's studies graduates have entered any number of careers, including law, medicine, psychology, retail management, and teaching. Graduates have found positions with battered women's shelters, counseling agencies, legislative lobbying groups, music companies, and the WNBA.

Graduates also have gone on to advanced studies in women's studies and related fields at the following institutions:

Michigan State University
New School for Social Research
New York University
Ohio University
Temple University
University of Delaware

Undergraduate Programs

Bachelor of Arts in Women's Studies. A women's studies major consists of 30 semester hours, no more than nine of which may be taken in any one academic department (excluding women's studies). At least six courses must be taken at the 300 or 400 level. The major allows room for those who wish to double major in women's studies and another discipline. Required courses include introduction to women's studies and feminist theory.

Minor in Women's Studies. A women's studies minor consists of 18 semester hours, no more than six of which can be taken in a single department (excluding women's studies). This program can serve as a complementary area of concentration that will enhance a number of major programs, such as psychology and political science, and will strengthen career areas such as human services or business.

Concentration. You also can take women's studies as a minor in the bachelor of arts or bachelor of science in liberal studies general degree program. This concentration is for students who wish to explore the emerging body of knowledge of women's studies and its ramifications for the future.

Typical Courses

Gender and Science
Latina Writers
Psychology of Women
Sociology of Gender Roles
Third-World Women
Women Artists
Women's Literature

Special Study Opportunities

The women's studies program has an internship that allows you to apply in the field the theoretical framework learned in your courses. Sites include Planned Parenthood, local businesses and agencies, and shelters for battered women.

Also available is a specialized career track in the liberal studies major, counseling women. This track will prepare you for a career in social services, especially with women clients.

Related Student Activities

The Institute for Women is an independent body designed to represent the interests of women on campus. The institute sponsors a number of activities to enhance the self-esteem and career success of women: the Woman-in-Residence program, the Grace Cochran Research on Women Award, the Visiting Professor Program, and the Charlotte W. Newcombe Scholarship Grants for mature and second-career women.

The Women's Center, located in Lawrence Center, provides a lounge area, peer advising, and special interest programs, such as lectures and films as well as information on selected women's issues.

Graduate Programs

Master of Science in Administration (concentration: leadership for women)
Master of Arts in English (concentration: women's literature)
Certificate in Leadership for Women

Faculty

You can obtain a complete listing of faculty and their academic qualifications for this program from the contact person listed below.

For More Information

Dr. Jen Bacon, Director
Women's Studies
211 Main Hall
West Chester University
West Chester, PA 19383
610-436-2464
E-mail: jbacon@wcupa.edu