Why Women's Studies?

From the PLU course catalog:

At the core of the Women's Studies program at PLU is a vibrant, diverse, and supportive community of feminist women and men, working to enhance and reinforce the individual goals and strengths of each student. This multiplicity of resources and talents allow our courses to draw upon many different academic areas, explore themes such as gender and sexual identity, emphasize critical examination of racism, classism, and other forms of inequity and discrimination, and focus on the pursuit of social justice.

Women's Studies courses offer critical analysis of traditional social institutions, such as religion, arts, science, law, education, medicine, and the family, and their relationship to each person's gender, sexual identity, class, and race. Reflecting the importance of dialogue and collaboration in feminism, classroom activities include a rich mix of group-based projects, discussion, and other forms of inquiry. The multidisciplinary nature of our program invites Women's Studies students to sample many topics and learn through a variety of intellectual and life experiences, from reading the literatures of under-represented communities to creating visual artwork, visiting a prison for women, and learning how to initiate, mediate and engage in an ongoing discourse about challenging issues

The Women's Studies senior capstone exemplifies our program's emphasis on combining inquiry with experience. For the capstone, each Women's Studies major works with faculty mentors to design an internship or service learning project that fits creatively her or his unique vocational and academic interests. One student with a background in nursing or biology, for example, might work in a program that offers pre-natal care for low-income women, while another student with expertise in social work and public policy might assist an organization working to reduce domestic violence. Or, a student interested in feminist theater could work with the Women's Center to shape PLU's annual production of "The Vagina Monologues"!

The Women's Studies program gives students the important tools, resources, and language needed for personal empowerment, especially useful since it is easy to feel overwhelmed and resigned in the face of injustices. Upon c ompletion of this program, each PLU Women's Studies graduate is prepared to creatively and effectively pursue social justice in her or his own way. As teachers, scientists, volunteers, artists, writers, entrepreneurs, or family members, our graduates are making positive changes in the way gender and sexual identity are understood globally in the 21st century. We invite you to join our community of scholars and agents of social change.