Gender & Women’s Studies

How do the social and cultural constructions of masculinity and femininity affect gender roles within historical and contemporary society?

How have the diverse experiences, contributions and voices of all individuals and groups—those both marginalized and empowered by gender identities, and including those who identify as women and the LGBTQ+ community—advanced the way we think about gender and inequality? Through this interdisciplinary minor, you will have the opportunity to explore gender in both historical and contemporary perspectives, the ways gender affects identities and relationships, the representation of gender in the arts and media, and the politics surrounding gender identity and construction. You will also question assumptions and challenge stereotypes on gender equity, race, ethnicity, class, ability, religious affiliation and other categories of identity.

The Curriculum

View the 2024-2025 Academic Catalog to find course titles, numbers and descriptions.

Requirements for a Minor in Gender and Women Studies

  1. IDS2113 Basic Issues in Women's Studies (SA) (SS) (DM) 

2-5. Four additional courses from the following list, or from approved offerings at other Colleges of the Fenway, selected in consultation with faculty coordinator:

  • ART2201 Understanding Gender through Art (AI-A) (VCI) (SJ)
  • COMM3730 Feminist Media Studies
  • ENGL2321 Love and Gender in British Literature and Film (AI-L)
  • ENGL3303 Images of Masculinity
  • HIST2205 Women in American History (H) (HI) 
  • LANG2107 From Damsel in Distress to Femme Fatale: Parisian Women in Modern French Cinema and Literature (AI-L)
  • LANG3427 Contemporary Spanish American Women Novelists (AI-L)
  • NURS3600 Culture and Diversity in Health Care (DM)
  • PSYCH2211 Race, Gender and Sexuality: Intersection of Privilege and Oppression (SA) (SS) (DM) 
  • PSYCH3101 Seminar: Psychology of Women
  • SOC2115 Family and Gender Roles
  • THRS2131 Relationships and Sexuality: Christian Perspectives (RCT) (RICT) (SJ) 
  • THRS2217 Women in the World Religions (R)
  • THRS2219 Women in Christian Traditions (RCT) (RICT) (DM)