B.S. Women’s and Gender Studies with a Focus on Equity in STEM
Updated 12-2021
Women's and Gender Studies (WGS) is dedicated to the interdisciplinary study of gender and its intersections with other identity markers such as sexuality, race, class, nationality, and ability/ disability as economic, political, and cultural constructs. It celebrates diversity, acknowledges women’s accomplishments, conditions and contributions, and highlights the ideologies implicit in women’s places in societies both in the U.S. and internationally. The majors and minor in Women's and Gender Studies rigorously investigate the gendered nature of knowledge, institutions, and cultures to promote experiential learning, engaged citizenship, and social justice among all students—no matter their gender identity or other characteristics. Using gender as a critical lens across disciplines, WGS proposes innovative ways of understanding human experience and empowering CCU students to become productive, responsible, healthy citizens with a global perspective.
The Student Experience
A B.S. in Women’s and Gender Studies prepares students with the following skills specifically in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics environments:
- Training in critical thinking and problem-solving;
- Expertise in finding and using information to analyze contemporary social issues;
- An understanding of differences of gender, sexuality, race, culture, age, ability, and social class, and citizenship status;
- Hands-on experience working in teams;
- Insights into the connections among different forms of oppression;
- A foundation for analyzing inequities and initiating change;
- Preparedness to live and work in a diverse and global world.
Beyond the Classroom
Women's and Gender Studies organizes and sponsors visiting writers, lectures, symposia, films, cultural events and campus organizations that are devoted to the advancement of equity in the world.
Students receive strong support to engage with communities on and off campus through internships, service learning, and experiential learning opportunities.
Areas of Study
CCU’s B.S. in Women’s and Gender Studies is the only one in the nation to focus specifically on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) issues in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. As such, it uniquely prepares students to enter DEI specialist positions in STEM industries, institutions, and organizations which have acknowledged the need to create more inclusive work environments to attract and retain a more diverse workforce and serve a broader clientele.
Students in the B.S. pursue a minor or double-major in Biology, Chemistry, Computing Sciences, Marine Science, Mathematics and Statistics, Physics, or Engineering Science.