Feminist Scholarship Reading Group
Scholarships - NEW DEADLINE!
Support the Department of Women's Studies
The Women's Studies Program was established at the University of Iowa in 1974 and is one of the oldest programs in the United States. Our initial strength in joint appointments in the social sciences made the program unique within an interdisciplinary field most often drawn from the humanities. Our recent appointments give us strength in both social sciences and the humanities and enable us to continue to develop the breadth of interdisciplinary strength we believe to be the cornerstone of a strong women's studies program. Certainly, the interdisciplinary nature of the program evokes strong support from faculty and students who consider themselves part of the Women's Studies community even though their ties are informal and their rewards intrinsic.
Since 2000, Women's Studies has had departmental status. Women's Studies has grown dramatically in the last 15 years. Starting with only one half-time faculty member, the Department now has one full-time appointment and seven faculty with joint appointments. About 55 other faculty at the University are affiliated with Women's Studies and regularly cross-list their feminist courses with Women's Studies, supervise graduate students or serve on Women's Studies committees.
News & Events
Draft of New UI Policy
on Sexual Assault Misconduct
(click to view/download)
Comments on the policy
should be directed to:
jonathan-c-carlson@uiowa.edu
Spotlight on our majors
Meet Susy Hemphill, a senior women's studies and economics major from Des Moines, Iowa. As a Women's Studies major, I have had the opportunity to complete a practicum at the Women's Resource and Action Center and at the Emma Goldman Clinic. At the clinic, I worked directly with the executive director to influence legislative decisions across the state.
Read more...
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Important News About Women’s Studies!!!!
The Women’s Studies Department has changed our course requirements for newly-declared majors and minors to reflect our newly expanded focus on Gender, Women’s, and Sexuality Studies. This exciting new development occurs as new faculty join the department, and as our new department chair takes charge (Professor Jennifer Glass). Our course offerings and scholarship now investigate the ways in which women and men construct themselves as gendered and sexual beings, analyze how gender and sexuality shape virtually every aspect of our daily lives, and probe the relationship between biological sex differences and the social and cultural roles of women and men. Using gender and sexuality as critical tools, our department offerings analyze the ways in which power structures human relationships and contributes to inequality both within and between societies. Intersectional approaches, including transnational critiques, are used to understand how gender differences intersect with differences of race, class, sexuality, and other constructed categories of difference such as disability and nationality Current majors and minors can continue under the earlier requirements, but may also opt for the new set of requirements if they wish.
At the same time, Women’s Studies now administers the certificate in Sexuality Studies, until we officially change our title to Gender, Women’s, and Sexuality Studies and fully integrate the department and the certificate program. Current certificate students may complete their requirements under the old certificate rules, but new students are encouraged to enroll for a minor in Women’s Studies. We know these new conditions can be confusing, so don’t hesitate to contact us for advice and information.
We anticipate an official change in our department title—from Women’s Studies to Gender, Women’s, and Sexuality Studies—during this (2009-2010) academic year. Keep posted for breaking news!!
Professor Leslie A. Schwalm and the Women's Studies faculty
.