The field of women’s studies is nearly 50 years old. A product of the turbulent 1960s and 1970s, women's studies emerged at a time when English classes might only read novels by men, history classes taught that women didn't do anything historically important, and the psychological profession taught that homosexuality was a sign of mental illness. Inspired by the women's movement and struggles of marginalized groups, students and faculty invented a new area of study. WMU offered its first courses in the early 1970s and created a minor in women's studies in 1975. Over the years, a major was added, the program expanded and faculty across campus sought joint appointments.
Gender and women’s studies is an interdisciplinary field that asks questions about gender and other socially constructed aspects of our identities. Our learning and research focus on critical thinking and social transformation, in conversation with local and global movements such as #MeToo, Black Lives Matter, LGBTQ struggles and environmental justice. Check us out if you are eager to explore new ways of looking at the world.
Although few people come to college planning to major in gender and women's studies, the field has been around for nearly 50 years, and hundreds of schools offer degrees in this area. Still, your first gender and women’s studies class is likely to prompt you to ask "Why haven't I learned this before?" Because our courses examine subjects from multiple perspectives and question taken-for-granted beliefs, students often describe them as eye-opening. In addition, many of the top skills that employers seek today are at the heart of gender and women's studies: communicating across differences, team building, planning, problem-solving, and interpreting information.
The learning community we seek to build in gender and women's studies at Western Michigan University is committed to personally and socially transformative scholarship, education and advocacy. We value diverse people and divergent points of view. Whether you attend a single event or take a single course, or perhaps pursue a major or minor, we invite you to join us in pursuit of greater understanding as well as a more equitable and sustainable future.
Western Michigan University offers undergraduate degrees in gender and women's studies. Our courses are open to all students and may fulfill general education, liberal education, major, minor and elective requirements. Gender and women's studies courses encourage a spirit of inquiry and teach approaches to thought and action that help prepare students for an increasingly diverse, rapidly changing world. Although gender is our field’s organizing concept, students can expect it to be explored in contexts that include race, class and sexual identity.
Course work investigates evolving conceptions and experiences of gender, nationally and globally. Against backdrops that are both historical and contemporary, we approach issues related to women and gender through multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary methods. Our courses aim to develop students' critical thinking skills and creative potential by analyzing issues and imagining solutions to problems associated with women and gender.
Gender and Women's Studies Major
The major in gender and women’s studies at Western Michigan University, whether taken with a minor or combined with a second major, will prepare you for success in a world that still struggles around issues of gender. Through course work and activities outside the classroom, majors explore why gender is contested, how it continually intersects with other identities and the ways in which it corresponds to power. All majors take two required courses—Introduction to Gender and Women's Studies and Foundations of Feminist Theory—as well as courses in four categories to achieve a depth of advanced knowledge. Studies are rounded out with electives. To sign up for the major and to learn more about course options, contact Dr. Zoann Snyder, the director of the Gender and Women's Studies program.
Requirements
Gender and women’s studies majors must complete 31 hours of course work.
- Required courses: GWS 2000, Introduction to Gender and Women’s Studies (four credits) and GWS 4010, Foundations of Feminist Theory (three credits)
- Selected advanced courses in four categories:
- One 3000-level course: GWS 3200 (Women, Globalization and Social Change), GWS 3700 (Special Topics), or PSCI 3460 (Women in Developing Countries)
- One 4000-level course: GWS 4100 (Special Topics), GWS 4400 (Internship), or GWS 4980 (Independent Study)
- One history course: HIST 3160 (Women in American History), HIST 3360 (Women in European History), or HIST 4245 (Topics pertaining to women and/or gender)
- One thematic course within arts and sciences: AAAS 3100 (The Black Woman), ANTH 3090 (Archaeology of Inequality and Resistance), ANTH 3480 (Gender and Plastic Bodies), COM 4790 (Gender and Communication), ECON 3090 (Women and the Economy), PSCI 4210 (Gender and Law), SOC 5630 (Gender and Justice), or another course as approved by the department chair.
- Up to 12 elective credits, not more than seven credits of which are below the 3000-level, drawing from the list of GWS courses and approved electives. See the University catalog for the full listing of approved elective courses.
Gender and Women's Studies Minor
The minor in gender and women’s studies at Western Michigan University brings an additional perspective to any field of study. Minors take one common course, Introduction to Gender and Women's Studies, and choose from an extensive list of options for the elective courses which best suit their interests and career goals.
Requirements
Gender and women's studies minors must complete 22 hours of course work.
- One required course: GWS 2000, Introduction to Gender and Women’s Studies (four credits).
- The remaining 18 hours of electives draw from the list of GWS courses and approved electives (see the University catalog for the full listing of approved courses).
WMU courses
WMU course offerings provides a full listing of course offerings organized by department and semester.
Tips for success
- Choose a minor or second major that is meaningful to you.
All gender and women's studies majors have either a minor or a second major (or sometimes both). College and departmental advisors are happy help you learn about your options. Although many programs are compatible with a major in gender and women's studies, some of the more popular ones are communication, English, psychology and sociology. A gender and women's studies major is an asset to business students, those working toward science and health-related professions, pre-law students and future counselors, educators and social workers. Our major is a great complement to liberal arts degrees in the humanities and fine art degrees and to other interdisciplinary programs, such as global studies and environmental studies. The gender and women's studies major is also excellent preparation for graduate study in any field. - Earn general education credit while completing your major.
Courses in your gender and women's studies major may be used for general education credit. Make sure to visit College of Arts and Sciences advising periodically to ensure that you are fulfilling your general University requirements. - Plan wisely for timely graduation.
Although the courses for the major can be taken in a sequence of your choosing, it is important to begin taking courses from the selected categories of requirements as soon as you begin pursuing your degree. The gender and women's studies major is flexible—but you will run into trouble if you save too many required classes for your last year in school. Also, be sure that you don't load up on lower-division elective courses. Only seven credits of 1000- or 2000-level electives can be applied toward your major. - Seek advising.
This is our number one recommendation to help you avoid unnecessary stress as you approach graduation. For instance, an elective course that fits with your major and a second major or minor (e.g., Women in European History) can only be applied to gender and women's studies or your degree in another department—not both. - Strive to earn good grades.
You need a C or better in the courses you want to count toward your major. If you earn a 3.0 GPA or higher and have completed six GWS credits or electives, you are eligible for membership in our honor society. - Substitutions are possible.
We will keep an eye out for courses that could count toward your gender and women's studies degree during advising meetings. If you took a course—or are thinking of taking a course—with a focus on gender or women that is not listed in the university catalog, it still may be able to apply to your major. Check with the director of gender and women's studies if you would like to have a course evaluated for approval. Courses taken at other two-year or four-year colleges are the most common substitutions we make; one-time special topics courses (e.g., GLBT Theater) can be counted as well.
Honor Society
Iota Iota Iota, also known as Triota, is the national honor society for our field. At Western Michigan University, the honor society recognizes students who demonstrate high academic achievement in gender and women's studies. Founded at the Metropolitan State College of Denver in 1985, Triota has dozens of chapters around the country. WMU's Beta Upsilon chapter of Triota was established in 2011. The Greek letter iota represents the three goddesses: Inana, Ishtar and Isis.
Purpose
The purpose of Triota is to promote an interest in gender and women's studies. Members encourage each other in their studies, personal development and contributions to social change.
Benefits
Enjoy recognition as a high-achieving student, meet peers who share your interests and receive an honor cord to wear at graduation. Members do not have to pay fees or fulfill any other obligations.
Eligibility
- Minimum GPA of 3.0
- Minimum of six hours of GWS or elective courses completed
- Three semesters worth of college-level work completed
Applications will be evaluated on the fourth Friday of fall and spring semesters.
Western Michigan University scholarships
Lynne and Charlene Fogarty McKee Endowed Scholarship
Eligibility criteria
- Five recipients selected.
- Must demonstrate high financial need.
- Women only are eligible.
Awards
- $3,000 non-renewable scholarship as long as funds are available
Application
- Contact the Office of Financial Aid for more information: (269) 387-6000.
Lynne C. McCauley Memorial Scholarship
Eligibility criteria
- Full-time students majoring in the humanities, such as English, music or theatre.
- Minimum 3.0 GPA.
- Preference given to women.
Awards
- Varies
Application
- Contact the Office of Financial Aid for more information: (269) 387-6000.
Patricia Dangremond Endowed Scholarship
Eligibility criteria
- Must maintain satisfactory academic progress.
- Student must demonstrate financial need.
Awards
- $1,000 non-renewable
Application
- Contact the Office of Financial Aid for more information: (269) 387-6000.
The Women’s Education Coalition
Eligibility criteria
The Women's Education Coalition Grant Program is a scholarship program facilitated by the Kalamazoo Community Foundation and was created in 1995 via a joint venture between four area women's groups. Its purpose is to provide renewable grant assistance to women who are currently underemployed or unemployed and are in need of education to become financially self-sufficient. Eligible recipients must be residents of Allegan, Barry, Calhoun, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph or Van Buren counties in Michigan.
Awards
- $250 to $4,000 (renewable)
Application
- Contact the Women's Education Coalition for more information: (269) 381-4416.
- View the grant description.
Jennifer C. Wenger International Study and Travel Scholarship
Eligibility criteria
Study or work abroad in the United Kingdom. Preference given to female students, anthropology or sociology majors and/or gender and women's studies majors or minors. Should be employed part time as evidence of commitment to assisting with costs of their education at WMU.
Awards
- Minimum $500 to $1000
Application
- Contact WMU Study Abroad for more information: (269) 387-5890.
- View the scholarship description.
Scholarship opportunities beyond WMU
- AAUW Educational Foundation Fellowships and Grants awards for doctoral candidates, women making career changes or advancements, and seed money for educational equity projects benefiting women and girls.
- Back to College: Resources for Re-entry Student offers very extensive resources devoted primarily to adult learners, though a number of the resources should also help traditional-age students. Includes a very extensive financial aid section.
- BPW Foundation Career Advancement Scholarship Program offers scholarships to women 25 or older who are U.S. citizens or U.S. nationals, have been accepted into an accredited course of study in a United States institution, will graduate 12 to 24 months from the date of the grant and strongly need financial assistance.
- College Answer offers an extensive, searchable database of scholarships and fellowships for students from high school through graduate school. You have to register, but registration is free, as are the searches. You're asked a number of questions that are designed to pinpoint the financial aid opportunities for which you qualify. Sponsored by Sallie Mae.
- Daniel Kovach Foundation Scholarships offers a scholarship award for female students, bloggers and students studying in any of the following fields: business, library and information science, media, as well as minority students and people studying to become teachers. Scholarships are awarded several times a year.
- Gates Millennium Scholars Program has made a $1 billion commitment to support the college and graduate education of high-achieving, low-income African-American, Hispanic-American, Native-American/Alaskan Native, and Asian Pacific-American students in the disciplines of mathematics, science, engineering, education and library science, where these groups are severely underrepresented.
- Graduate Fellowships for Women offers an extensive set of links to information about graduate fellowships for women in a wide variety of fields. The listing is provided by Cornell University, but most of the grants come from sources outside Cornell and are not restricted to Cornell students.
- HORIZONS Foundation Scholarship Program offers the HORIZONS scholarship award, sponsored by the organization Women in Defense, to encourage women to pursue careers related to U.S. national security interests. Applicants should be pursuing studies in engineering, computer science, physics, mathematics, business, law, international relations, political science, operations research or economics (or another discipline if you can demonstrate its relevance to a career in national security or defense). Both graduate and undergraduate students may apply; undergraduates must have attained at least junior status (60 credits). Scholarships range from $500 to $2000, and recipients of past awards may reapply for further financial aid.
- Jeannette Rankin Foundation Women's Education Fund offers scholarships for low-income women 35 years of age or older who, through undergraduate or vocational education, are seeking to better themselves, their families and their communities.
- National Institutes of Health Undergraduate Scholarship Program offers competitive scholarships to students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are committed to careers in biomedical, behavioral and social science health-related research. Awards will pay up to $20,000 for one year; recipients may reapply for additional years (not to exceed four scholarship years).
- Scholarships, Fellowships, and Postdoctoral Awards for Women offers a large, well-organized site with a searchable database. In addition to a section for women, there are sections devoted to subject areas such as computer sciences and engineering and sections for specific racial and ethnic groups such as African-Americans, ethnic groups and studies, Hispanic-Americans, minorities, and Native-Americans, as well as a host of other sections.
- Society of Women Engineers Scholarship Program offers annual awards to women pursuing baccalaureate or graduate degrees in ABET-accredited engineering programs, engineering at SWE-approved schools or computer science in CSAB-accredited programs, or ABET-accredited or SWE-approved schools. Includes information on awards targeted to reentry women.
- Women and Minorities in STEM offers academic support for women and minorities and includes scholarships dedicated specifically to women and minorities and covers national societies dedicated to supporting them.
- Women Techmakers Scholarship Program offers $10,000 scholarships for female undergraduate or graduate students in computer science, computer engineering or a related field, in honor of computer scientist Dr. Anita Borg.