Undergraduate: Home | Prospective | Current | Research | Contact Us
Women's Studies
133 Willard Bldg.
814-863-4025
Visit Us, E-mail: womensstudies@psu.edu
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Women's studies is an interdisciplinary field of research and teaching that places women’s lives, perspectives, and experiences at the center of inquiry. Women’s studies asks questions. Its questions focus on the diversity of women’s lives and experiences throughout history, on contemporary problems from the perspective of women and gender, and on how changes in fundamental assumptions about the production of knowledge have transformed conventional areas of study such as psychology, sociology, history, art, philosophy, and more. Women’s studies aims to ensure that women’s lives, interests, and talents will continue to be a vital force in scholarship, science, and public life.
Women's Studies majors study women and women's perspectives in all areas of academic scholarship. The major focuses on feminist analyses of women's lives, of women's social, cultural, and scientific contributions, and on the structure of sex/gender systems. Women's studies students learn about the diversity of women's experience and study women's lives throughout history and across cultures. The Women's Studies major emphasizes the development of critical and analytical skills, creative approaches to problem solving, and the ability to articulate productive alternatives.
Women's studies also offers an undergraduate minor for students enrolled in other majors, and combines well with other bachelor of the arts programs as a multiple major.
In women's studies, students are encouraged to be active learners and to take advantage of the many opportunities that Penn State offers for educational enrichment. Students are especially encouraged to participate in internships, education abroad, and, if eligible, The Schreyer Honors College. An internship program provides qualified women's studies students with the opportunity to earn academic credit by applying their knowledge of women's issues and their skills in writing and problem solving to real-world issues in the workplace. Internships are available in politics, publishing, health promotion, public relations, women's resource centers, and many other fields.
CAREER DIRECTIONS
Women’s Studies majors have a definite career advantage: they can be successful in a wide variety of career paths. Some of these include legal advocacy, counseling, journalism, public relations, management, nonprofit administration, teaching, medicine, politics, or art. In addition, many alumnae/i are currently studying in professional, law, or graduate schools.