Women’s Studies Certificate

Program: Certificate
Women’s Studies Program
Department of Political Science  
College of Liberal Arts 

Liberal Arts Building 209 ~ 260-481-6688
Program Director:  Suzanne LaVere

Women’s Studies is an interdisciplinary area of study that examines gender and its intersections with other categories of identity, including race and ethnicity, sexuality, class, nationality, and disability.  As such, it provides students the opportunity to integrate knowledge across  diverse academic disciplines, to understand gender within both historical and contemporary contexts, and to develop approaches to investigation, analysis, and research that reflect the complex nature of how gender operates in our lives, how systems of power and oppression function, and how individuals and organizations can bring about meaningful social change.

The Women’s Studies Certificate is designed for students majoring in academic programs outside the College of Liberal Arts who are interested in a concentration of course work in women’s studies. This program is also appropriate for community members who wish to augment or update past academic studies in a field that has relevance for today’s more diverse workforce and society.  The certificate can be earned and awarded independent of other degree(s).

Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this certificates, students will:

• understand the major concepts of feminist critical analysis, including gender, race, class, sexuality, nationality, ability, and age, and the complexities of their intersections
• understand how gender is socially and historically constructed, how it relates to systems of power, privilege, and oppression, and how it impacts women’s lives
• be aware of the history and importance of feminist thought and activism in the U.S. and around the globe
• be aware of the diversity of women’s experiences, roles, and contributions to society and culture
• be able to demonstrate effective reading, speaking, writing, and critical thinking skills through the work they complete in women’s studies courses
• be able to apply feminist perspectives to a range of issues and engage critical debates or areas of contention within feminism and across disciplines

Declaring this Certificate:

• Declare this certificate within the Department of Political Science  which is the administrative home for Women’s Studies, or through your major department if you are pursuing another degree

Program Requirements:

• A minimum GPA of 2.00 or higher is required for graduation
• A grade of C- or higher in each course required for the certificate
• At least 11 credits must be earned as resident credit

To earn the Certificate in Women’s Studies, you must fulfill the following requirements in addition to those noted above: