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Syracuse University, College of Arts and Sciences

Department of Women's and Gender Studies

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How do gender, power, race and class shape lives and the world? By studying the effects of social hierarchies, cultural identity, sexuality, nationality, religion, you will learn how gender attitudes form and impact daily lives.

The Department of Women’s and Gender Studies explores the universal scope of transnational feminism and the complexities of intersectionality—how an individual can face multiple threats of discrimination when their identities overlap a number of minority classes, such as race, gender, age, ethnicity, health and other characteristics. Through interdisciplinary and comparative approaches, students examine issues of justice, social and economic transformation and women's agency.

Gain an understanding of the myriad ways that ideas and practices about gender, past and present, shape the world around us. Sample courses for majors covers topics such as:

  • Feminist theory
  • Women, gender and violence in a transnational context
  • Gender and popular culture
  • Intersectionality
  • Indigenous feminisms
  • Feminist disability studies
  • Latina feminisms

What can I do with my degree?

Women’s and Gender Studies allows you to challenge intersecting oppressions and address systemic problems that create them. It instills a sense of compassion for disadvantaged groups. You’ll develop skills sought after by employers such as critical thinking, and research, analysis, oral and written communication, presentation and problem-solving skills.

Women’s and Gender Studies majors may find employment in a variety of areas:

  • Advocacy or social services
  • Arts and media
  • Journalism
  • Public relations
  • Politics and law
  • Community development
  • Business
  • Government

Students are encouraged to put their education into action and work to transform knowledges, institutions, policies and social relations.

Study abroad

Broaden your perspective with an international experience throughSyracuse Abroad, with more than 100 programs in 60 countries.

All international centers offer a number of interdisciplinary courses in women’s and gender studies, cross-listed with the humanities and social sciences.

Women’s and Gender studies majors most often go abroad to Syracuse University centers in Florence, London, and Madrid, and World Partner programs including DIS Copenhagen and Fordham University in Pretoria.

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