Gender & Women’s Studies
Gender and women’s studies is an interdisciplinary program. It explores how systems of oppression/resistance and privilege operate. Faculty members dedicate themselves to creating an environment that fosters critical thinking. They also support student activism and peer mentoring.
Tracks
Major
The Gender and Women’s studies major provides students with an understanding of the importance of gender as a category of analysis. It also looks at gender’s intersections with race/ethnicity, class, age, sexual identity, nationality, and (dis)ability.
Minor
The Gender and Women’s Studies minor is a scaled-down version of the major that requires five courses and an internship.
Internships are required and guaranteed for gender and women’s studies majors.
What You'll Learn
The Value of an Education in GWS
Folk will often ask “what is the value of an education in GWS?…like what does it do?” When hit with that question, my answer is usually frank and simple, “well that’s exactly why you need to hire or work with a human who has been educated with a GWS lens.” The skills, concepts, and frameworks taught in gender and women’s studies are now more than ever essential to the success of moving toward the creation of a nation and a world that is more equitably human-centered and just. “Invaluable,” I tell folk, “quintessential.”
Clarissa Harris '12, Co-executive Director for the Center for Participatory ChangePreparation for a Research Career
A big reason why Hollins became the only place I wanted to go for college was because it has such a great GWS department. The personalized attention is really special.
Emily Lauletta ’22 is attending California’s Claremont Graduate University, where she will complete a Master of Arts in applied gender studiesMaking Revolution Irresistible and Love More Powerful
In my time as a GWS major, I unlearned complacency. The most cherished lessons in college were values I had to practice in real life… and I am still practicing compassion, patience, pace, grace, and honesty/accountability. Those are the “kindergarten morals” that we lose when we are socialized in our communities if we are not careful. When we lose sight of those values we fall into hate, lack critical thinking, and begin to rely on the status quo.
Whit Williams-Black '18, Founder-Doula of Viola's Herb Garden and Want to be Well Doula Services
