Undergraduate Program

This course examines issues related to women's paid and unpaid work as world markets integrate. Analyzes actions of governments, unions, women's movements, employers, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to promote equality and women's well-being.

Study of gender, in the construction of knowledge in different fields, and the factors that encourage women to achieve agency and leadership.

Introductory survey examining key concepts and themes in women's and gender studies, including these twelve: body image and media; class; feminisms; gender/sex; globalization and neoliberalism; intersectionality; patriarchy and privilege; race; reproductive justice; sexuality and queer theory; social justice and human rights; and violence, conflict, and terrorism.

• Instructor: FREEHA RIAZ

This online, interdisciplinary course will introduce students to the concepts, discussions, debates and intersections related to gender, race and sexualities. We will consider a variety of readings, media resources, and film to consider and understand how gender, race and sexuality have come to have meaning in the world as social categories. We will build and expand our knowledge about these social categories by examining various strands of feminist theories—Black, liberal, radical, socialist, queer, post-structural, post-colonial, Islamic feminism and Womanism(s). We will interrogate these strands of conceptual frameworks to unravel how they intersect with Women’s and Gender Studies to create hierarchies.

• Instructor: Jillian Salazar

Introductory survey examining key concepts and themes in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, including: body image and media; class; feminisms; gender/sex; globalization and neoliberalism; intersectionality; patriarchy and privilege; race; reproductive justice; sexuality and queer theory; social justice and human rights; and violence, conflict, and terrorism.

• Instructor: Taida Wolfe

In this introductory course, we will learn about the ways that gender, race, and sexuality interact, intersect and contribute to the social construction of identity. Using mediums such as film, mainstream and social media, literature, and scholarly texts, this course will explore the following themes: history of feminisms, feminisms of color, masculinities, queer theory, body and reproductive politics, systems of oppression and privilege, gender/work, and gendered violence. By the end of the semester, students will be better poised to address questions of difference and diversity outside of the classroom as critical thinkers and contributors towards a more inclusive society.

• Instructor: Heather Lewis

Intro to Race, Gender, & Sexuality is a course that explores identities, intersectional perspectives, and structural powers in relation to gender, race, and sexuality. Students will investigate the mechanisms through which these ideas are produced and reproduced. Meaningful connections will be made between the concepts offered in this course with the dynamic world around us. Students will have opportunities to consider how these concepts structure our social worlds and intimate lives through individual, collaborative, and multi-modal projects driven by their own personal experiences and knowledge. Each student will also engage with a wide variety of content including current videos, movies, podcasts, music, scholarly texts, mainstreams news outlets, and social media threads. By the end of the course, students will have clearer understanding of how their lived experiences relate to broader culture and society in all of its diversity.

• Instructor: Tiffany Marra

In this introductory course, you will learn about the ways gender, race, and sexuality come to have meaning in the world as social categories. We will interrogate these terms through a range of conceptual frameworks that emerge from the field of Women’s and Gender Studies. Lessons will give particular attention to the meaning, purpose, and applications of feminist thought. This section will have a narrower focus on sexuality, how race and gender relate to it, and the way sexuality is informed by our experiences and social environment.

This course is highly collaborative – both at the levels of class discussion and practical application. The goal is to encourage and challenge students to be prepared to hold conversations regarding sensitive issues related to gender, race, and sexuality.

• Graduation Year: 2020

Graduation Year: 2020

Major: Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

Minor: Political Science and Critical and Comparative Race and Ethnic Studies

How did you decide on your major?

I chose my major after returning from the Women’s March on Washington in 2017. I remember the feeling of being surrounded by so many like-minded people with such a drive and dedication for women’s empowerment and thought to myself, if I could do this everyday for the rest of my life, I would be incredibly happy and fulfilled. While that kind of experience can’t happen every day, I had a very a similar reaction sitting in my first Women’s and Gender Studies course. I knew that the community, professors, and my classmates would continue to sustain my excitement and passion for women’s empowerment through the conversations and discussions, taking place in class every day, and giving me the insights to turn my academic gains into a successful career.

What is it about your chosen field (and the department) that appeals to you?

I love the community of people in each and every one of my WGS classes—everyone is so open and willing to learn and grow from the experiences and exchanges we have. I love that my classes address current events while also covering such wide-ranging topics as politics and religion to motherhood and international human rights. Every professor manages to find a way to combine theory and intellectual rigor in an environment that gives students a voice and the ability to self-express. It is truly an invaluable academic department.

Do you have a favorite class/professor within your major?

So far, my favorite class has been Women and Leadership with Charlotte Bunch. It was such an inspiration to be able to learn from a human rights icon. We learned about other amazing women leaders and developed an understanding of leadership theory. Every single class featured inspiring women who I want to emulate, as I gain confidence and develop my own skills as a leader.

What are your favorite academic experiences outside of your major?

The academic experiences I most enjoyed beyond my major have been political science classes and programs through Eagleton. In particular, I did an internship with the Center for Youth Political Participation during which I facilitated voter registration drives and programs to educate and build political awareness about candidates running in the upcoming elections, which was extremely rewarding.

What are your other Rutgers activities?

I am a Leadership Scholar at the Institute for Women’s Leadership, and I work as a computing consultant in the Office of Information Technology department. I am also involved in a variety of clubs on campus including Rutgers Democrats, RU for Choice, and the Yoga Club.

What are your plans following graduation?

Once I graduate, I hope to join a political campaign or work for organizations that are geared to give women the confidence, tools, and resources to run for political office.

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• Graduation Year: 2020

Graduation Year: 2020

Major: Mathematics, Actuarial Option

Minor: Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and Economics

How did you decide on your major?

I wanted to start off by saying that I am a Mathematics major, but I’m a Women’s and Gender Studies minor who is writing an Undergraduate Thesis in the Women’s and Gender Studies department, and will be writing on that. I’ve always had a passion for math, but when I came to college I wanted to gain exposure to more real-life, current event topics and Women’s and Gender Studies seemed to be a great place to start. I took a few courses and soon looked into what I had left to complete a minor, and declared. This year, I’ve become much more involved in the Women’s Studies department and have gotten to speak with many very passionate professionals who truly care about their students’ success in a way that is very unique at such a large university. I’ve been able to find a place for myself within this department and have been lucky enough to learn about myself and the world around me.

What is it about your chosen field (and the department) that appeals to you?

I really like that Women’s Studies is something that I can make my own with the elective courses that I have chosen to take and that it isn’t too constrictive in terms of how I can use it presently and in the future. I’ve been able to combine Women’s Studies with economics and mathematics to make a really unique, interdisciplinary experience for myself. I also really love the people within the department; the professors are accommodating and truly care more about what you get out of the class than a final grade, and just overall want to make us all better people.

Do you have a favorite class/professor within your major?

I loved Gender and the Body with professor Tara Burk. Its an online class that discusses how the body has been represented in various forms of art, media, and visual communications and it allowed me to learn more about how we are influenced and what power we have to change the world.

What are your favorite academic experiences outside of your major?

I’ve really enjoyed the chances that I have taken to write on topics outside of my major. I’m in the Honors College here and through course requirements in that, I’ve been given chances to write a proposal for an innovative creation and to write about the history of fortune telling, which was very different from other topics that I’ve written about. I have loved when I’ve been given the opportunity to express my creativity and passion regarding specific topics outside of my major because it makes me a better scholar and thinker.

What are your other Rutgers activities?

I’m currently the Vice President of my sorority, Phi Sigma Rho, which is an organization that empowers women in STEM to succeed in every aspect of college life and fosters a sisterhood of support in fairly rigorous curriculums. I also work for Rutgers Recreation as an Intramural Assistant where I help out with the everyday operation of the intramural sports program. Finding a balance between having fun and doing well in class has been tricky to learn, but so worthwhile!

What are your plans following graduation?

I’m currently looking for full-time employment following graduation in May 2020! I’ve been looking at different positions around the country, specifically analyst, consultant, and underwriting positions. Before starting full-time employment, I’d really like to get out into the world to travel and learn about other places, as well.

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