What you need to know about women’s studies

With registration time upon us, everyone on campus is trying to figure out his or her class schedule for the spring.  While deciding which classes to take, collegiettes™ should consider taking a few women’s studies courses.
 
Many students know that we have a women’s studies program but do not know much about it.  Katy Strzepek, the director of Women’s Studies here at St. Ambrose, describes the program as, “teaching students to use gender as a lens through which to analyze the world.”

The SAU program offers an interdisciplinary major and minor, giving collegiettes™ various options.  By studying women’s studies, you can use gender to analyze issues like health care, human rights, and history.  Required classes for the minor vary from women’s studies to English to theology, and even sociology classes.  It is a great program because you can take classes from so many different fields.  In addition to the subjects already listed, there are also criminal justice and psychology classes available.  You could finish your gen eds and earn an additional major or minor at the same time!  The program even offers a practicum class that gives students the chance to intern at a community agency that works to help women and girls.
 
“This is a great way for students to see how they can use women’s studies in the real world,” Strzepek said.
 
The program teaches students how to fight sexism, racism, and other forms of discrimination, in order to make the world a better place. The WS resource center even has information about service opportunities in the local community and abroad and career options for the women’s studies students.
           
Not sure if you have room to fit in more classes, but still want to get involved with women’s studies?
           
Not a problem.  The Women’s Studies Program offers several lectures and programs in their WS Resource center, in Ambrose 224, which are open to the entire Ambrose community.  The WS Resource center also has books, videos, and journals that SAU students can borrow in case they want to learn more about women’s studies.
 
“We also have resources about where to go for help if you are a survivor of violence, resources for women veterans, and a variety of other sources of assistance,” Strzepek said.
 
The Women’s Studies department is also involved with several activities and programs on campus.  The book group discussions on the Central Park Jogger, the brownbag discussion on Human Trafficking with former State Senator, Maggie Tinsman, and the Love your Body Month activities have all been sponsored by the department.
 
Whether you find time in your schedule for a few of the available courses or can make it to one of the events in the women’s studies resource center, you will not regret the decision.  Also check out our Campus Celebrity story this week.  HC writer Sarah Vogel interviewed Katy Strzepek, and you can learn even more about the program.
 
So what are you waiting for?  Get involved with women’s studies today!