Program Overview
One way change occurs is within your engagement with others. For almost fifty years, Women's and Gender Studies at West Chester University has integrated the valuable life experiences of those people who have been traditionally neglected in academia: • Women • People of color • LGBTQA people • Indigenous people • People of the global south In the Women’s and Gender Studies program at West Chester University, we continue this tradition by encouraging our students to incorporate their own voices and experiences into their studies. In this way, our students begin to understand their own identities in relation to society and culture. It is through this shared understanding that sustainable social change begins, develops, and perseveres. In an ever more global economy, employers seek people who can effectively address diverse issues and diverse people. Many disciplines teach you about the importance of diversity. Our program addresses the importance of diversity head on, and will teach you the language and skills you need to create and facilitate a respectful space for all of your future clients, patients, employees, or students.
Tracks
Bachelor of Arts in Women's and Gender Studies
30 Semester Credit Hours: *WOS 225: Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies *WOS 305: Intellectual Roots of Western Feminism *WOS 405: Feminist Theory (prerequisite: WOS 225 and WOS 305 or permission of the instructor) *Elective Courses (seven of them): *With an advisor, students may choose other WOS and cross-listed courses *No more then 9 credits may be taken in any one department (except Women's and Gender Studies) *At least 5 courses must be completed at the 300-400 level
Minor in Women's and Gender Studies
18 Semester Credit Hours: *WOS 225: Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies *One of; WOS 405, WOS 410 or WOS 415 *Elective Courses (four of them): *Students may choose other WOS and cross-listed courses *No more than two courses may be taken in a single department (except in Women's and Gender Studies) *Additional courses may be applied to the minor with the approval of the Director of Women's and Gender Studies *WOS 305 is strongly encouraged
Program Highlights
In this major and minor, students learn about, analyze, and apply: *Intersectionality: How categories of identity (race, class, gender, age, ability, sexuality, nationality, etc.) and structures of inequality are historically and currently experienced, represented, and resisted by people *Transnational Feminisms: How the theoretical issues examined through intersectional feminism are produced in specific cultural global contexts *Gender: How gender operates in our lives—as women, men, and those for whom those categories do not apply In addition to our robust curriculum, we sponsor student clubs, and educational and activist programming. All of these are designed to help students put their WGST education into action while helping them build their resumes as they prepare to start their careers or graduate studies.
What can I do with this degree?
Employers today are looking to hire critical thinkers with strong analytical and writing skills who understand and respect the diversity of voices in our increasingly global economy. Our intersectional and interdisciplinary program provides students with the skills necessary to succeed in a rapidly changing job market. Upon graduation, our majors and minors are prepared to enter many careers, including: *Public relations *Education *Victim advocacy *Human services administration *Health and human services administration *Non-profit administration *Social work *Journalism *Editorial assistant *Public health education *Local, state, and federal management *Labor organizing *Digital media specialist Many WGST majors and minors go onto graduate school, studying in fields such as: *Psychology *Law *Social work *Clergy *Education *Philosophy *Nursing *English *Business and economics *Student affairs