Professional and Administrative Staff
Feminist & Gender Studies: 1
Feminist, Gender & Sexuality Studies: 3
Gender & Sexuality Studies: 3
Gender Studies: 12
Comments:
Feminist & Gender Studies
(No comments)
Feminist, Gender & Sexuality StudiesThis title appears to be more inclusive and forthright... less fearful of people's irrational concerns about sex and sexual identity..
The courses our department offers seem to match this title best.
After reading the summary, I was most persuaded by the pro arguments for Feminist, Gender & Sexuality Studies . I think this new title best expresses what the concentration covers. Oh, and I do not believe Feminist is a bad word.
Gender & Sexuality Studies
it seems to include all: women’s studies in general, feminist studies, men's studies, the construction of gender, but also the notion of sexual orientation (whereas gender studies by itself does not touch on the tension between gender and sexuality).
Gender Studies
The best of the four!
It is neutral. The name covers a broad array of items related to gender issues without singling out any particular group or groups.
I like this idea. I have thought for many years that the current title, "Feminist and Gender Studies", though not deliberately and really not actually, eliminates men from the concentration. Certainly that is not the intention of the concentration. "Gender Studies" seems to encompass all genders and invites all students to participate. Over the years, we have had only a few men participate; perhaps a new title will start a new trend.
It eliminates the controversial and often confrontational terms without limiting the scope of the intended field. By stepping beyond the history of the field the name change opens the area up for opportunities to educate a wider population on the issues impacted by disparity between different genders.
It's short and simple, with less political baggage than the other choices. But it also has the broadest, most elastic meaning, and would be inclusive of feminist critique and sexuality studies.
The name allows for openness of interpretation, rather than implying any particular approach to the subject matter
Although probably the most bland of choices, courses will indicate by their critical massing the direction this concentration takes. Under "Gender Studies" I presume both feminist and sexuality course, but also it is an umbrella that can include male gender courses.
The definition of Gender Studies should be the study of males and females. If the study is of males and females it would include all facets of the facts, issues, and myths associated with the gender. When you get into Feminist and Sexuality studies that narrows the focus of the studies. Gender studies are broader and more inclusive.
Am significantly affected by the commentary by Anne Dalke, whose work I greatly admire. Also, I join with this statement: "women studies has always been inclusive and responsive to challenges to its intellectual paradigms, so a name change really wouldn't reflect anything new, except a more 'inclusive' connotation."
General comments on the concentration:
Good concentration. With the addition of minors at Haverford, however, all concentrations are taking a beating.
I don’t have much of an opinion because I am not clear about intent and content. I believe the name should honestly reflect what is intended about content. The "pro" and "con" presentations seem to reflect marketing issues for the program, rather than looking for terms that reflect the content and direction. If "women's studies" reflects the content better, then use that instead. Each of the names has its own political charge, but which best reflects the intended content?
Full academic consideration of gender issues, and their effects on other disciplines taught here, are what an integrated liberal arts and science education is all about!
Thank you for soliciting broad input in this decision. The word "feminist" has been seminal to my identity through the years. I care deeply about these issues, though I am not teaching. I see the young students and I am aware that they are seeking new paradigms, building on the foundation of those who have gone before. I appreciate the inclusiveness in this process -- we are all part of it, in different ways.
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