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

The Women's and Gender Studies program at UW-Platteville provides an interdisciplinary academic program that examines the contributions of women to history, science, the arts, and social justice, and analyzes prevalent societal misconceptions about sex and gender. In order to gain a complex understanding of these issues, we offer courses in a variety of departments.

The UW-Platteville Women's and Gender Studies program offers a minor that requires a minimum of 18 credits. Students 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.

Through your coursework, you will learn how to implement acquired theoretical, methodological, and empirical perspectives to perform feminist and intersectional analyses of various forms of gender-and sexuality-based representations, discrimination, and marginalization, and their effects on individuals and groups from diverse backgrounds. 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. 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.

Careers could include:

  • Advocate for victims of domestic violence and hate crimes
  • Associate director of a human rights organization
  • Coordinator of a women’s health clinic
  • Director of social service agency
  • Human Resources Diversity Specialist
  • Public health educator
  • Social worker
  • Union organizer

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 are 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.

Pictured left to right are Angela Miller, Jason Roth, and Emily Stier

Alumnus Receives Research Award

Jason Roth earned the UW System Women’s and Gender Studies Consortium undergraduate research award.
Dr. Dong Isbister

Reflecting on 50 years of Women’s and Gender Studies on campus

Dr. Dong Isbister, associate professor, discusses how UW-Platteville's Women's and Gender Studies program has evolved over the past five decades.