Women's studies

Women's studies (also known as Feminist studies) is an interdisciplinary academic field devoted to topics concerning women, feminism, gender, and politics. It often includes feminist theory, women's history (e.g. a history of women's suffrage) and social history, women's fiction, women's health, feminist psychoanalysis and the feminist and gender studies-influenced practice of most of the humanities and social sciences.

History

Women's studies was first conceived as an academic rubric apart from other departments in the late 1960s, as the second wave of feminism gained political influence in the academy through student and faculty activism. As an academic discipline, it was modeled on the American studies and ethnic studies (such as Afro-American studies) and Chicano Studies programs that had arisen shortly before it. The first Women's Studies Program in the United States was established on May 21, 1970 at San Diego State College (now San Diego State University) after a year of intense organizing of women's consciousness raising groups, rallies, petition circulating, and operating unofficial or experimental classes and presentations before seven committees and assemblies.^[1] Carol Rowell Council was the student co-founder along with Dr. Joyce Nower, a literature instructor. A second program followed within weeks at Richmond College of the City University of New York (now the College of Staten Island). In the 1970s many universities and colleges created departments and programs in women's studies, and professorships became available in the field which did not require the sponsorship of other departments.

Current courses in women's studies

Women's studies courses are available at many universities and colleges around the world. Many universities that offer degrees in Women’s Studies offer classes in Gender Issues, Women and Religion, Female Sexuality, and Sex Crimes. Many also include with their program an option for gay/lesbian studies. In 2006, the Artemis Guide to Women's Studies^[2] provides a listing of 395 programs in the United States, but may be out of date. Courses in the United Kingdom can be found through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service^[3].

Criticism

A number of authors have criticized scholarship standards within women's studies programs. These authors include feminists like Camille Paglia, Christina Hoff-Sommers and Phyllis Chesler; and journalists and social commentators like Karen Lerhman. Researchers Daphne Patai and Koertge note that the type of feminism espoused in the vast majority of women's studies departments in the United States 'espouses a totalizing world view.'^{[citation needed]}

References

External links

[1] SDSU Women's Studies Department

[2] Artemis Guide to Women's Studies in the U.S.

[3] Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, United Kingdom

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