UNIVERSITY CATALOG: 2023-2024

Mission Statement

We see our department as a force for change in California, in the nation as a whole and in the world, change which strives to achieve social justice, deepen democracy and create world peace.

We do this by offering students an outstanding undergraduate education in Gender and Women’s Studies. Courses in Gender and Women’s Studies are taught by faculty from numerous disciplines and different parts of the world. Our international and diverse faculty members provide excellent teaching, engaged mentoring, cutting-edge research and scholarship, and valuable community service locally and globally.

We seek to develop a new generation of compassionate and critical thinkers and professionals who, with us, will advance our mission to recognize, understand and interrogate the persisting injustices and inequalities based on gender, race, class, sexuality, nation, geography, ability, ethnicity and religion that plague societies. We expect our GWS students to stretch their social imagination to become agents of social change.

We believe that through the nurturing of the mind, the elevation of historical and moral consciousness, as well as opportunities to put into practice social justice skills, we can make a better world for all.

Academic Advisement

The Gender and Women’s Studies department helps students select the program and courses that best satisfy their individual needs and interests. Contact the department advisor, Dr. Tina H. Beyene, or the department chair, Dr. Breny Mendoza, at (818) 677-3110 to schedule an appointment.

The College of Humanities (COH) Student Services Center/EOP reviews students’ progress to ensure that the requirements of a major or minor in Gender and Women’s Studies are fulfilled. Call (818) 677-4784 or (818) 677-4767 to schedule an appointment with the COH Student Services Center/EOP.

Careers

A degree in Gender and Women’s Studies is an avenue to jobs in mass media, public relations, community and labor organizing, social work, counseling, teaching and government, as well as in new fields, such as women’s career training. Specialized career preparation may be obtained by combining the Gender and Women’s Studies major with a minor from another department. In addition, a Bachelor of Arts in Gender and Women’s Studies provides an entry for advanced graduate degrees in fields such as women’s studies, gender and ethnic studies, law, education, healthcare, social sciences, global studies, the arts, and cultural and communication studies.

Scholarships

The Department of Gender and Women’s Studies awards the following scholarships annually. Additional information is available at Scholarships.

  • Elizabeth Berry Founding Scholarship
  • Shannon L. Hamm Memorial Gender and Women’s Studies Scholarship
  • Dr. Nayereh and Dr. Mahnaz Tohidi Scholarship Endowment

Contact

Department of Gender and Women’s Studies
Chair: Florence Kyomugisha
Jerome Richfield (JR) 340
(818) 677-3110