Gender and Women's Studies

The Department of Gender and Women’s Studies at the California state University, Northridge strives to achieve social justice, deepen democracy, create world peace and to develop new generations of compassionate and critical thinkers that can recognize and interrogate the persisting injustices and inequalities based on gender, race, class, sexuality, nation, geography, ability, ethnicity, and religion that plague our planet. We are thus gravely concerned about the increasing pressure to silence protected speech including the historization of the current Israeli war in Gaza; the call to end the weeks long bombardment of Palestinian children, civilians, hospitals, and homes by Israeli military forces; the defense for access to water, food, and fuel to the people of Gaza; and the plea to stop yet another massive refugee crisis. Palestinian faculty and students as well as anyone speaking out against this tragedy unfolding in Gaza are being harassed, doxed, fired, and sent death threats. In other words, we are being asked to suspend moral judgement in the face of gross human rights violations, which as a field we endeavor to end.  

This past week, our friend and colleague, Dr. Nadera Shalhoub-Kevorkian, a Palestinian feminist and the Lawrence D. Biele Chair in Law at the Faculty of Law-Institute of Criminology and the School of Social Work and Public Welfare at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem has been asked to step down from her position for voicing her concern for Palestinian life and asking for a cease fire. We cannot standby with such a decision because it not only is a violation of free speech and academic freedom, but because it hurts our moral fiber. We therefore call on and in fact implore the authorities of the Hebrew University to reconsider their decision to let go of such a renowned feminist and humanist scholar like Dr. Nadera Shalhoub-Kevorkian.

Let us not  return to the dark ages. Give humanity one more chance to see the light. We, as you, mourn all the lives lost, including that of our Jewish brothers and sisters. Please do not deny Dr. Nadera Shalhoub-Kevorkian's or any one's right to mourn that of our Palestinian brothers and sisters.

 Please read the National Women's Studies Association statements on the current war against Palestinians. https://www.nwsa.org/page/statements

About Us

The Department of Gender & Women’s Studies at CSUN emphasizes interdisciplinary, cross-cultural and transnational studies with a focus on gender.

It includes course work in feminist theories, women and social movements, transnational feminisms, women of color feminisms, decolonial and postcolonial feminisms, women’s economic conditions in the context of globalization and development, productions of women in the media and literature, queer studies, women’s health and masculinity studiThe major and minor provide a background for various careers such as law, counseling and healthcare or advanced graduate degrees in fields such as Gender Studies, Women’s Studies, education, communication, political, cultural and media studies.

Now you can Double Major in Gender & Women's Studies!

Double majoring in Gender & Women’s Studies is one of the best career choices you have today at CSUN.  Make yourself distinctive from others in your primary major by adding GWS as a double major. It is easy to do. Select out of a variety of combinations of majors that pique your interests and become an expert in gender and another area of study. Talk to our academic advisors about designing a plan that fits your needs.