Vassar College

Bachelor in WOMEN’S STUDIES

The Women’s Studies Program—open to all students—teaches students to think critically about the multiple systems of power through which sexual and gendered identities are constructed and to engage with real-life political and ethical issues from diverse perspectives. The program offers courses that examine the lives and experiences of women in a variety of historical, cultural, and political contexts, as well as courses that explore the intersections of feminist theory, queer theory, and activism.

Women’s studies is an exciting multidisciplinary field, bringing together faculty from many departments who share the conviction that gender and sexuality are fundamental categories of analysis in all disciplines.

Students interested in women’s studies may select from team-taught integrative courses at the introductory, intermediate, and advanced levels, as well as from a variety of courses cross-listed with other departments. Students who wish to declare a concentration or a correlate sequence in women’s studies work with program advisors to plan a course of study tailored to their particular interests. Students take an introductory course, courses from at least three disciplines, at least one course in feminist theory, and other courses germane to their self-designed programs. A senior thesis or project is required. Recent topics include “Global Feminisms” and “Feminist Approaches to Science and Technology.”