Why should I study WGS?

This question seems to be the most popular question that academic programs and departments that focus on the humanities in education are asked. Here are a few points to help answer this question:

• Flexibility – fits well with another major or strong minor and possible to complete the credits for the WGS minor.
• Offers a variety and diverse perspectives on broad array of topics such as intersectionality of race, class and gender. (See Cross-Listed Courses)
• Lots of choice in course work – you can design your Undergraduate Minor or Graduate Minor or Certificate to fit your interests and needs using cross-listed courses and electives
• WGS courses offer insight into topics and issues meaningful to students who care about diversity, humanity, society and the world
• WGS faculty are from a variety of disciplines
• Other campus faculty are affiliated with WGS

Women's & Gender Studies Classes

Women's & Gender Studies offers an interdisciplinary Undergraduate Minor for students who want to gain an in-depth understanding of the way in which gender plays a critical role in the lives of women and men. In your WGS classes you will examine the cultural and social construction of gender, explore the history, experiences and contributions of women to society, and learn the influences of gender on the lives of both women and men.

Future Career

The program emphasizes critical thinking across disciplines, which is vital to success in any career you choose.  You will learn how to critically evaluate practices, beliefs and standards about gender that shape the opportunities that women and men face in their daily lives.  You can use these skills in a variety of careers in order to be a more successful leader in any organization, a better colleague who will know how to be effective in diverse work settings and someone whose insights into differences will benefit you when working with clients or other key players in your career.    

Personal Life

Many WGS students report that their courses have had a profound impact on their lives by providing them with a means of understanding their experiences as women and men in society.  WGS not only focus on experiences such as domestic violence, discrimination in the workplace, and gender differences in the division of labor at home, but gives a foundation for understanding the root cause of these experiences, which is the first step to making for a better life for women and men.

Building Communities

WGS students often use their skills to benefit their local communities, homes and societies.   Insights from the knowledge gained, the ability to use critical thinking and the sensitivity toward the influence of gender is often used by students who volunteer in their communities.  Many WGS students make a commitment to making the lives of women, men and children better, such as counseling victims of domestic violence, working on rape crisis hotlines, and other social service projects.

What Can I Do with this Minor?

This is not an uncommon question for all students when they begin to choose their major/minor for their degree. Although, for students that choose to minor in Women's & Gender Studiess the question seems to be more persistently asked. It is difficult to get a picture of WGS as a field due to the number of graduates out in the workforce and the kinds of career paths being chosen. WGS prepares graduates to work in various careers that may or may not be specific to a particular expectation such as other fields of study that may train for a specific career path.

WGS offers a student a unique set of skills learned through WGS: empowerment, self-confidence, critical thinking, building community, and understanding differences and intersections among racism, homophobia, sexism, classism, ableism, anti-Semitism and other types of oppression.

Below is a list of resources to review to further answer this question.

• WSP Career Guide - TTU Women's & Gender Studies
• Connecting Majors/Minors with careers - TTU Career Center
• Mapping Women's and Gender Studies Data Collection - NWSA report
• "The Evolution of American Women's Studies" - Inside Higher Ed
• What can I do with a Women's Studies degree? - Ms. Magazine
• National Women's Studies Association - Defining Women's & Gender Studies

What are students saying about our program?

Degree Plan

• New Students
• Current Students
• Transfer Students

Career Guide

There are *652 women's and gender studies programs at community colleges, colleges, and universities in the U.S.

* Source: NWSA

What can I do with this Minor?

• Why Study W&GS?
• Connecting Majors/Minors with careers

You should see the advisor at least once a year - a short meeting with him/her may save you time and money.

Advising

• All students are required to meet with Women's & Gender Studies Academic Advisor(s), each semester prior to advance registration to review their degree progress, discuss schedule planning, and address any questions or concerns the student may have in their educational experience.

Catalogs & Course Descriptions

• Official Publications Home

Contact

• Undergraduate Advisor
  Aimee Cameron
  aimee.cameron@ttu.edu
• Graduate Advisor
  Elizabeth Sharp
  elizabeth.sharp@ttu.edu
  

Core Curriculum

• WS 2300 - "Intro to Women's Studies"

Dates to Remember

• Academic Calendar

Special Approval Courses

• WS Prefix Courses

TTU Student Community

• What are students saying about our program?