Who are Women's Studies Students?
Student Organizations and Activities
Women's
Studies is an interdisciplinary academic field that explores historical and
contemporary achievements of women, including their intellectual, artistic,
political, and social contributions. Women's studies core and departmentally
based courses introduce students to the dynamic and rapidly increasing
scholarship on gender, the status of women, and the interrelations of women and
men. Through participation in women's studies courses, SMU students, both male
and female, are exposed to new ways of thinking about life choices and
occupational opportunities and are better prepared for future challenges.
The mission of the SMU Women’s Studies Program is to enhance the lives of all students by communicating a framework for integrating into the curriculum theories about gender, and knowledge about the roles and achievements of women, both past and present, in this and other societies. Through participation in Women’s Studies courses, SMU students, both male and female, are exposed to new ways of thinking about life choices and occupational opportunities, and are better prepared for challenges that may confront them in the contemporary world. Women’s studies acknowledges the diversity of women’s experiences while working to increase understanding of gender as an area of central importance in culture, history, and human experience.
- To promote the development of new courses and modification of existing courses that are gender-sensitive and address scholarship about and by women, particularly in areas of the university where such courses do not exist.
- To promote research and scholarship about women, especially by providing grants to university faculty and students.
- To improve existing library and media holdings pertaining to gender.
- To provide students with knowledge about women and their historical and contemporary contributions to society that will broaden their scholarship and their understanding of life and career options.
- To foster intellectual ties between the university and community, particularly by means of the feminist reading group and university lectures.
Who are Women's Studies Students?
“Bright students who appear not only to be among the best of the SMU student body but who clearly take the knowledge they are gaining in the classroom and use it in a variety of campus settings to improve the conditions of women on campus and the relationships among men and women in the co-curricular climate”
- Jean O’Barr, Founding Director of Women's Studies at Duke University and Distinguished University Service Professor
Student Organizations and Activities
Many
students in the Program serve on the Women's Studies Council, composed of
faculty, staff and students who oversee the administration of the program. Among
the responsibilities of the Women's Studies Council are the selection of
recipients of the Margareta Deschner Teaching Award; selection of recipients of
faculty development grants; the publication of a newsletter for the Women's
Studies Network--subscribers including past students, faculty, and members of
the community; and curriculum development. The Ann Early Award for an
Outstanding Minor in Women's Studies is awarded each year. Students may
participate in a variety of conferences, lectures, and social events.
A
minor in Women's Studies enhances career opportunities in many fields. For
example, individuals interested in business might profitably combine courses in
women's studies with training in marketing or finance. Those interested in
psychology would similarly find women's
studies instructive for counseling future clients. Past minors have found
women's studies courses beneficial to their careers in public relations,
journalism, law, education, and health professions.