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.
Tell me more
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. The women's studies program 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. Discovering and understanding the intersections among racism, homophobia, sexism, classism, ableism, anti-Semitism and other forms of oppression are examples of what you will learn. The classes are politically and socially relevant. Women's studies allows you to think critically while developing open mindedness. These courses empower and increase your sense of competency, and prepare you for life after graduation.
Community engagement
Women’s studies students impact society in a variety of ways: All majors and minors participate in a final capstone experience, the "Social Justice Practicum" (Wmns 496), where they work closely with a community partner to develop and implement a plan of action or research. There are also internship and volunteer opportunities for Women's Studies students on campus (e.g. Women and Gender Equity Center, Center for Awareness of Sexual Assault, and the Vagina Monologues) and in the local community (e.g. Bolton Refuge House, Wisconsin AIDS Resource Center, the Eau Claire County DA's Office Victims Assistant programs, and local women's magazines).
Cultural immersion
We value hands on learning and provide many ways for you to open your world view. Students can study abroad in Nicaragua where the women's movement is arguably the most dynamic in Latin America. Students can take a LGBTQ Studies San Francisco Travel Seminar where they learn about LGBTQ social movements and plan the Eau Queer Film Festival each year. In addition students can take the Women of the American Civil Rights Movement travel seminar which includes a 10-day experiential learning excursion to significant southern locations where the women and civil rights' movement unfolded. Through these experiences students learn to see different ways of living and become more engaged citizens in our interconnected world.
Majors
Women’s Studies
Minors
Women’s Studies
Certificate program
Women’s Studies
LGBTQ Studies
Course work
The women’s studies major requires 36 credits and the women’s studies minor requires 24 credits selected from several core courses. For a complete listing, see the UW-Eau Claire Catalogue or the women's studies web pages. Students also are required to complete a capstone externship (Wmns 496). The certificate programs are designed for those students who have a strong interest
in studying women and/or LGBTQ issues, but who are not able to complete the requirements for a major or minor in women's studies. The certificates are also particularly appealing to those students in
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
- Transnational/
Global Feminisms
- Queer Theories
and Sexual
Politics
- Culture of Third
Wave Feminism
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 those in social worker, community advocacy, governmental and non-profit agencies, health care education, editing and writing for women's publications, small business, research assistantships in graduate programs, community outreach programs and other programs requiring experience working with women as well as other diverse populations.
More career information
Places our graduates go:
- Eau Claire County DA's
Office
- Peace Core Program in
Cameroon
- Teach for America in
Mississippi
- St. Mary's College, grant-
writing office
- Graduate programs and law
schools
- Stucky Chiropractic Center,
Eau Claire
- American Baby magazine
editorial office
Department contact information
Lucy Lee
leelucy@uwec.edu
715-836-5717
