Women and Gender Studies Program Description
Women and Gender Studies (WGS) uses the concepts of gender, race/ethnicity and class to analyze all dimensions of human experience. WGS is an interdisciplinary minor that complements any major and is excellent preparation for today's diverse workplace. Recent Elizabethtown graduates minoring in the program have go on to careers in occupational therapy, banking and science or have pursued advanced degrees.Students in WGS classes consider questions like the following: How do women and men differ, and how do we explain the differences (nature, nurture or both)? Why was
winning the vote so important for women, African-Americans and Native Americans, and has everyone in the United States achieved equal rights and opportunities today? Who earns more - men or women - and why? Are Barbie, Superman, Cinderella and the Incredible Hulk good role models for small girls and boys?WGS emphasizes activism as well as academics. The program sponsors an annual film series in conjunction with the student groups Allies and Womenspeak. WGS faculty have performed together in a student-directed production of "The Vagina Monologues." Many WGS classes have a service-learning component, and students have done
volunteering work to benefit women and families in nearby communities.The WGS minor requires a minimum of 21 credit hours, comprised of six courses. Several of these courses also satisfy Core Program requirements or may count toward a student's major.
For more information regarding the minor or events sponsored by the program, please contact WGS Program Director Dr. Mahua Bhattacharya at bhattacharm@etown.edu or (717)361-1239.
