Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

Faculty

Abigail Cahill, associate professor and chair.

B.A., Colgate University; Ph.D., Stony Brook University. Appointed 2016.

Trisha Franzen, professor.
B.A., State University of New York, Buffalo; M.A.,  Ph.D., University of New Mexico. Appointed 2003.

Lucia Soriano, assistant professor.
B.A., California Polytechnic University; M.A., Claremont Graduate University; Ph.D., Washington State University. Appointed 2021.

Scott A. Melzer, professor.
B.A., University of Florida; M.A., Ph.D., University of California, Riverside. Appointed 2004.

Bille Wickre, professor.
B.S., Dakota State University; M.A., University of Iowa; Ph.D., University of Michigan. Appointed 1992.

Introduction

Women’s, gender, and sexuality studies is an interdisciplinary program that examines the role of gender in the construction of lives, cultures, community norms, meaning systems, and systems of representation. All of the areas of study within the program use cross-cultural or multicultural investigations to understand the dynamics and differences in the operation of gender. Within specific contexts but also across differences, the program also focuses on the lives of women–on women’s past and present active involvement in the making of the world. Each of the areas of study emphasizes the ongoing interplay of theory and practice.

The program includes a major in WGSS and minors in gender studies and sexuality studies (see below).

Program Website: http://albion.edu/academics/departments/womens-and-gender-studies
 

Student Learning Outcomes

Student Learning Outcomes for the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Major

  1. Students will be able to identify key concepts and scholarship in women’s, gender and sexuality (WGS) studies.
      Key Concepts: the social construction of gender, privilege and oppression, intersectionality, feminist praxis.
  2. Students will be able to describe intersectional identities. 
  3. Students will be able to apply intersectional feminist theory to evaluate representations of people of diverse genders and sexualities.
  4. Students will be able to identify feminist perspectives in multiple disciplines. 
  5. Students will be able to critically evaluate WGS theory and scholarship.
  6. Students will formulate questions leading to feminist scholarship or projects to address local or global problems. 

Student Learning Outcomes for the Gender Studies Minor

1. Students will be able to identify key concepts and scholarship in gender studies.
2. Students will be able to describe intersectional identities. 
3. Students will be able to apply intersectional feminist theory to evaluate representations of people of diverse genders.

Student Learning Outcomes for the Sexuality Studies Minor

1. Students will be able to identify key concepts and scholarship in sexuality studies.
2. Students will be able to describe intersectional identities. 
3. Students will be able to apply intersectional feminist theory to evaluate representations of people of diverse sexualities.

Programs

• Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, B.A.

• Gender Studies Minor
• Sexuality Studies Minor
• Women’s Studies Minor