Women's and Gender Studies

What You'll Learn in the Women's and Gender Studies Program

The goal of the Women's and Gender Studies program at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville is to provide an interdisciplinary academic experience that examines the contributions of women to history, science, the arts, social justice, and analyzes prevalent societal misconceptions about sex and gender.

The UW-Platteville Women's and Gender Studies program offers a minor that requires a minimum of 18 credits. You can also earn a certificate that requires 12 credits.

Through coursework, as a Women’s and Gender Studies minor, you will learn the key topics, concepts, histories, theoretical and methodological approaches of Women’s and Gender Studies. You will gain oral and written communication skills, and understand the social construction and socialization of difference, gender, and sexuality in social, cultural, political, historical, and international contexts. You will also learn about intersecting forms of oppression and identities. As a result, you will be poised to advocate effectively for social change and justice to address gendered inequalities and injustices.

Career Opportunities

The Women's and Gender Studies program can prepare you with the knowledge to understand the complexities of contemporary society, and build analytical skills that can be applied across professional fields. This interdisciplinary field will teach you how to examine historic social constructs and confront injustice. This program will also teach you how to think more critically and improve your communication skills. Achieving a minor or certificate in this program will prepare you to make a difference in your community.

With a minor or certificate, you will be well-equipped to pursue graduate study or a career in fields including art, education, law, medicine, government, business, and more. Some of the many potential careers for graduates with a women’s studies major or a certificate, minor, or degree in gender studies include:

• Advocate for victims of domestic violence and hate crimes
• Associate director of a human rights organization
• Clergy member
• Communications specialist
• Community outreach coordinator
• Coordinator of a women’s health clinic
• Crisis center director
• Director of social service agency
• Diversity and inclusion manager
• Human resources diversity specialist
• Librarian
• Management analyst
• Public health educator
• Social worker
• Teacher
• Union organizer

With a gender studies major, minor, or certificate, you can choose to work for a government agency, religious, or nonprofit organization, public or private corporation, college or university, or as a consultant.

Learn From Dedicated Faculty

Committed women and gender studies staff, faculty, and council members strive to provide high-quality undergraduate education for students facing the challenges of both the 21st century and an increasingly globalized world. Faculty teaching courses in women's and gender studies are from diverse backgrounds and committed to exploring ways in which interdisciplinary research and pedagogies can help strengthen students' knowledge about themselves and individuals or groups that are traditionally marginalized.

Resources

The following list includes campus events, programs, and resources related to women's and gender studies. Additionally, the Women's and Gender Studies program supports and encourages students to attend events sponsored by the Patricia A. Doyle Center for Gender and Sexuality and Women's Council.

• Women's and Gender Studies Consortium
• University of Wisconsin Gender and Women's Studies Librarian
• Feminist Periodicals
• Wisconsin Women's Council
• Wisconsin Women in Higher Education Leadership
• National Women's Studies Organization
• Association for Women in Science
• UW Board of Regent: Equal Opportunities in Education: Elimination of Discrimination Based on Gender
• PEERS Data Hub