Women's Studies
(Printable version)
The women’s studies program coordinates teaching, research and scholarship in the field of women’s studies. This unique program incorporates practice that is informed by theory and gendered analyses. UW-Eau Claire’s Women’s Studies program creates a community of scholars and activists consisting of students, faculty, staff and community members. Students learn to not only think critically, but to also make important connections between their learning and their lives.
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Enacted as a discipline, Women’s Studies is a site of social change/activism as much as theory. The program supports and incorporates the following theoretical approaches to courses: Taught with feminist pedagogical techniques and from a feminist theoretical perspective; integrates theory with activism whenever possible and advocates for gender justice both on campus and in the larger community.
Much to gain
There is much to gain from taking women’s studies courses. Some of them include discovering and understanding the intersections among racism, homophobia, sexism, classism, ableism, anti-Semitism and other forms of oppression. The classes are politically and socially relevant. You
learn to think critically while developing open mindedness. The courses empower and increase your sense of competency.
Student outreach
Women’s studies majors affect change through a variety of ways; a few examples include volunteering at the campus Women’s and Gender Equity (WAGE) Center, the UW-Eau Claire Center for Awareness of Sexual Assault (CASA), or local women’s shelters; participating in the Vagina Monologues or political movements and campaigns; or seeking out Women’s Rights Internships.
Cultural immersion
Women’s studies majors often study abroad in Nicaragua where the women’s movement is arguably the most dynamic in Latin America. In talking with Nicaraguan women and taking field trips to see different ways of living you will understand feminism in the context of a developing country, and become a more engaged citizen in the world community.
Catalogue or the women’s studies web pages. Students also are required to complete a capstone project (either research or an internship for 1-4 credits). The certificate in women’s studies is designed for those students who have a strong interest in studying
Examples of courses for women’s studies
- Women and theMass Media
- Women and
Economic
Development
- Studies in
Women’s
Literature
- Psychology of
Women
- Women in
Politics
- Studies in the
History of
Women
- Women and
World Religions
- Women in
Spanish
American
Literature
- U.S. Women’s
Experience
- Culture of Third
Wave Feminism
women and concern for women’s issues, but who do not want to complete the requirements for a major or minor in women’s studies. The certificate might be particularly appealing to those students in comprehensive majors who have limited opportunity to explore academic areas outside of their discipline.
More advising information
Our graduates
Typical positions held by women’s studies graduates include social worker/ community advocate; womens officer for trade unions councils; health education/ promotion officer for a health agency or in local government to improve the health, specifically for women, of the individual and community; and as a human resource officer.
More career information
Places our graduates go:
- Family shelter case manager
- Center for women consultant
- American Baby
Magazine editor
- Real Estate coordinator
- University research assistant
Department contact information
Judith Gray
grayjm@uwec.edu
715-836-5717
