Gender and Society is an interdisciplinary concentration in the Liberal Studies major. It may also be used as a minor for other majors. The concentration applies resources, theories, and methodologies from a variety of academic fields to provide an understanding of the importance of gender for daily life and as a primary category of human experience. The sequence provides students with the tools they need to participate competently in society's current conversations about gender. It illuminates the images of femininity and masculinity that shape cultural representations of gender, offers new insights into human difference and diversity, and enhances individual choice and our common humanity.
Students who select Gender and Society as a Liberal Studies concentration will develop a heightened awareness of our diverse and multicultural world as they increase their sense of what is important in creating strong families and social relationships. They will be well-suited for jobs with advocacy groups, human rights organizations, environmental and consumer groups, health care, and youth/elderly/social service occupations. The interdisciplinary and intergrative nature of the program additionally prepares Gender and Society graduates for careers in government, in education and library service, and for graduate school.
Liberal Studies concentration requirements (15-21 credits): IS 200 Approaches to Gender and Society (3 credits) is to be taken before other courses in the concentration.
Select 4-6 courses in a minimum of 3 academic disciplines from the following: AA 410 Clothing Selection and Behavior, COM 301 Intercultural Communication, EN 340 Major Women Writers, EN 360 American Multicultural Literature, PSY 210 Human Growth and Development, PSY 220 Social Psychology, PSY 250 Biological Bases of Behavior, PSY 321 Psychology of Gender, SOC 202 Social Problems, SOC 201 Cultural Anthropology, SOC 302 Marriage and the Family, SOC 303 Development of Social Thought. Courses selected for this sequence cannot be used to fulfill Liberal Arts Core requirements.