Women's Studies majors complete a 2-semester research sequence in their senior year. In the Fall semester, they prepare a formal proposal for a project which they actually conduct in the Spring.
Get to know our Women's Studies graduating major for Class of 2009 and their research projects:
Below:Jill Kubichan and Hilary Holman
Jill Kubichan is a double major in Sociology and Women Studies.
1/ What made you choose this major?
A friend gave me a copy of the book “Full Frontal Feminism” (a book from Rodman’s Intro to Women’s Studies) and it sparked my interest to take the intro course and later pursue the major.
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2/ What are you focusing on in the major?
My senior research project focuses on the acceptance of rape myths in high schools in order to better understand how violence against women is normalized in society. I found my research topic after interning at Hanover Safe Place (local women’s shelter) for my Bassett Internship Program.
3/ What advice would you give to an undecided student, whom might be looking into majoring in Women Studies?
Women’s Studies isn’t just about sexism ,but structures of inequality. Moreover though, I just didn’t understand why women face more adversity. For example, my mom was fired for pointing to her boss that she was the lowest paid accountant at her firm. Now I have a better understanding of these adversities.
4/ Why shouldn’t males shy away from women’s studies
They think it’s just about women but it’s not. It’s about gender, inequality, race, and sex. There is a lot for men to learn about from Women Studies …especially about themselves…it is not just about women. 5/ Is there anything about being an athlete in women’s studies?
There is inequality in the amount of females accepted into schools in athletics compared to men. |
| Hilary Holman is a double major in Women Studies and Religion.
1/ What made you choose this major?
-I picked women studies because I enjoy the courses, specifically the introduction to WMST 101 and Sex and culture. It taught me a new way to think, to be critical of not only the course material but the world around me.
2/ What are you focusing on in the major?
- My research topic is on women in the clergy and the patriarchal constraint that inhibit women’s rise in leadership positions.
3/ What advice would you give to an undecided student, whom might be looking into majoring in Women Studies?
Women’s Studies is a good outlet for someone who is interested for social analysis but may not be interested in Sociology. It is a great way to analyze the world from one’s own perspective and that of others, it is also essential to liberal arts because it helps you understand the world around you. |
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4/ Why should men be intersted in Women Studies?
In the women’s studies curriculum there is a lot of work on masculinity studies which help males understand the world more.Men suffer under the constraint of patriarchy just as much as women and regardless of the name of the courses men would benefit just as much as women.
Get to know some of our Women's Studies minors for Class of 2009:
Below:Otis Kay, Elizabeth Gauthier and Gamal Alwan
Otis Kay is majoring in Political science with a minor in Women Studies
1/ What would you say influenced you in minoring in Women Studies?
Personally, I believed it had to do with coming from a single parent household, and living with my sister. I also feel like it is a responsibility as a male set the example for others, so they can step out of their role and look at the world from a women’s perspective.
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2/Why should more men be interested in Women’s Studies?
First of all Women Studies is an understudied field by men, and if more men were took an interest, they would understand women better and it would ameliorate intergender relationships. Besides that, I strongly suggest that everyone build a background of some sort in Women Studies, even if they only take one course I am sure their observation of the world around them would never be the same.
3/ What do you plan on doing with your minor?
My minor, I am hoping would look good on a resume, and make my employers realize that I am well rounded in my studies. Also my intentions to work in a field where interactions with others would be constant, it would give me an advantage in being able to establish better connections.
4/ What is the focus of your study in the subject?
I think there are many important points, so it would be hard for me to pick just one, but topics such Women’s Rights, reproductive rights and voting rights mainly picked my interest. |
5/With all the topics you stated, do you think that there could be solutions concerning them?
Possibly, but all in all the only solution would mostly be Education.
Elizabeth Rachel Gauthier
1/Why did you decide to minor in Women Studies?
In high school, I was given the chance to work at a battered women's shelter. This was the first time I clearly became aware of the position of women in our society. When I finally came to college I decided to take a sociology class, Sex and Culture, and it was then that I decided to take other related classes. Once I became aware of my position as a feminist, I saw the minor as a way for me to learn and grow as a feminist.
2/How do you think this minor may give you an advantage in your future career?
I hope to become a professor of Anthropology, possibly focusing on women's issues. The classes taken within the minor will allow me to enter the field of Anthropology with a particular point of view.
3/State an important issue you think affects college students that is addressed by the field.
Rape on college campuses is a very important issue which affects both men and women students. Learning about the faults of our patriarchal society helps me gain a better understanding of this issue thus providing with the tools to raise awareness on the topic.
4/What advice would you give to an undecided student, whom might be interested in Women Studies?
This will sound cheesy, but really, it will change your life. After taking about three classes in the field (maybe even by the first class) everything in our society will begin to seem different. You will become a stronger person and will develop the skills needed to change things you think need to be different in our world.
5/How can males benefit from taking a women's studies course?
Because issues affecting women also affect or involve men, men are able to approach their lives and those of the women around them with a different point of view. Being aware of the experience of those people close to them (mothers, sisters, friends) can only surely help deepen the connection they have with these individuals.
6/Are you involved in a particular group or activity with which you think Women Studies has a connection? Explain. |
"If you tremble with indignation at every injustice then you are a comrade of mine.”
El Comandante Che Guevara
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I have been involved with Macon Peer Response which advocates for sexual assault and relationship violence awareness. The knowledge I have gained from my women's studies classes have been directly applicable to the way I participate in the activities of the group which include responding to crisis calls and also making others aware of the very real threat of sexual assault and relationship violence that both men and women face.
7/Other comments about the program and/or the professors who teach WMSt courses.
The passion with which Dr Rodman taught the Sex and Culture class and the introductory course to Women's Studies inspired me to continue in the field. Dr Armenia's constant push to gain a fuller and more accurate knowledge about the theories which apply to our daily lives as gendered individuals has allowed to go beyond the simple facts concerning our society.
Gamal Alwan another minor in Women Studies states:
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"I have found my Women's Studies courses here extremely interesting. They present an entirely different perspective; as people often say, instead of just learning history, you're learning herstory." |