Who Takes Women's Studies Courses?
What kind of students take Women's Studies courses? What motivates them?
-- All kinds of students-women and men take Women's Studies courses.
-- A young woman who has several female friends who have been physically
abused by their boyfriends and wants to learn more about violence
against women and what can be done about it.
-- A man who wants to gain a clearer understanding of gender issues in
his social and professional relationships. ("Why does she get mad at
me?" "What can I do if I have a female boss?" "What is all this talk
about sexual harassment at work?")
-- A woman who has just walked out of a long relationship and is looking
for new perspectives on family, work and relationship. ("Why does it
seem so difficult for men and women to understand each other?" "I want
to learn more, and I want to build my own self-esteem and confidence as
an independent woman.")
-- A parent or future parent of either gender who is looking for
suggestions and recommendations on how to raise their daughter to be
strong and confident and their son to value and respect women.
-- A woman with disabilities who wants to learn how sexism and "ablelism"
together affect peoples's responses to her.
SOME COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS
I'm an education major. How does Women's Studies relate to my major?
Students will learn important and surprising facts about gender in the classroom, such as why boys get called on and encouraged more in the classroom and girls down play their mathematical abilities. Students will also discover that there are more women math majors than men math majors!
I grew up outside the United States. My culture does not have the same beliefs about women and men?s roles as American culture does. Does the Women's Studies Program focus only on the experiences of women in the United States?
No, Kean University's Women Studies program is committed to a global perspective on gender issues. This philosophy is demonstrated throughout its courses and on the special programs and activities it sponsors.
How can a Women's Studies certificate (or even a few Women's Studies' courses) help me in the job market?
Women's increasing influence in the workplace is already evidenced by national progress in instituting family leave and equal pay policies, in growing numbers of women in positions of leadership, and in the flourishing of women in professional sports. Students with a Collateral Certificate in Women's Studies will also document to a prospective employer that you are already knowledgeable about work place issues such as affirmative action, sexual harassment, discrimination and prejudice. Because gender issues play an instrumental role in all sectors of the economy, those students who have taken courses in Women's Studies will have a head start in the workplace.