Women's Studies
Women's Studies Program Learning Outcomes
College of Arts and Humanities
Division of World Cultural and Gender Studies
Minor
Faculty
Dana Belu (Philosophy), Program Coordinator
Program Office: LCH B-316, (310) 243-3487
Women's Studies Advisory Board
Please contact program office for current membership.
Program Description
The Women's Studies Minor is administered through the College of Arts and Humanities. It explores the experiences of women in cultures and societies around the world. Participants of this program engage in an on-going dialogue and debate related to women's voices. The Women's Studies Program at CSUDH examines the social construction of gender and sexual differences. Women's Studies seeks to acknowledge and understand how gender relates to and intersects with ethnicity, race, social class, religion, sexuality, nationality, globalization and other factors that have shaped women's and men's lives. The interdisciplinary practice of Women's Studies draws from diverse academic approaches. A student's program may draw from approaches such as Anthropology, Chicana Studies, Communication, Creative Writing, Interdisciplinary Studies, Labor Studies, History, Linguistics, Literature, Sociology, Psychology, Political Science, the Visual and Performing Arts, Philosophy, Women and Business, and Asian Pacific Studies. CSUDH Women's Studies students will acquire the knowledge and skills to advocate for social justice and change and engage in service learning. Students will also learn the importance of interconnecting communities, from local to global levels. The Women's Studies Program is part of the Division of World Cultural Studies.
Academic Advisement
Students are expected to seek faculty advisement from faculty teaching in the minor and on a regular basis thereafter. Since Women's Studies courses must be coordinated with many departments, it is especially important that Women's Studies Minors keep in touch with faculty advisors in the program on a regular basis, to keep informed about what courses are being offered each semester so that they can plan their schedules accordingly. Substitution of courses other than those in the program requires the prior approval of an advisor. The faculty can also assist students in recommending graduate programs in Women's Studies.
Preparation
No specific high school or community college courses are required as prerequisites. Students are expected to have adequate reading and writing skills and an interest in understanding the complex forces that determine gender roles.
Career Paths
Women's Studies enables students to meet the challenges of the 21st Century and to become leaders in many different occupations, from business to education, community organizations to government agencies, politics to research and arts and literature. Our students have launched successful careers as lawyers, teachers, artists, community leaders, elected officials, business managers, and other professionals.