Gender is foundational to social, cultural, and economic systems

A minor in Women’s and Gender Studies will complement your major by increasing your understanding of how and why gender matters . Through knowledge you gain in the classroom and in the community, you will learn how to address gender issues in multiple careers—including business, nonprofits, counseling, law, medicine, religious service, social work, and teaching.

In core classes, you will analyze how gender is socially constructed and investigate how power and patriarchal institutions impact people’s actual lives.  In elective classes, you’ll explore topics such as families and intimate relationships, LGBT literature and culture, gender communication, women in the Bible, the history of sexuality, and more. 

Through your studies, you will learn to understand the concept of gender and its impact on people's lives. You will investigate how gender intersects with other identities like race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, class, ability, and sexuality. You will graduate with a multi-faceted understanding of gender issues so you can create a more just world. 

For more information about the minor, please contact Associate Professor of Literature Alex Barron. The Women’s and Gender Studies minor is part of the Department of Literature, Writing and Rhetoric