Students:
Feminist & Gender Studies: 15
Feminist, Gender & Sexuality Studies: 33
Gender & Sexuality Studies: 30
Gender Studies: 35
Comments:
Feminist & Gender Studies
I think Feminist & Gender Studies is the most inclusive name; it seems that sexuality would be implicit within these groups and Gender studies alone might not cover the Feminist aspect.
There is nothing wrong with the word feminism: it means the promotion of equality and empowerment of women. The study of this movement is a large part of the concentration, and should remain in the title. My only reservation is that "feminism" scares away many ppl. This title should remain, but there should be dialogue/advertising to explain what is really meant by the word, what the focus of this concentration is, and then it may draw people that would be scared otherwise.
Women today are frightened by the word feminism. This word stands for something INCREDIBLE. To give it up is to gut the department of a goal and purpose.
The word "feminism", while it does conjure the 1960s and 1970s sense of the movement, is evolving. If you think more people would be interested in the concentration, then by all means change it, but I'm not sure why its necessary...
Gender Studies is my second choice. It is important to me that the word Feminist remain in the title although I also understand the issues surrounding this label and how the classes could be renamed and thus better marketed to students who might be put off by the label feminist. Personally, i was a little nervous to be saying i was taking feminist courses, simply because of the controversy surrounding that title, but now i am proud of it, and appreciate the risk--however small-- that i took. Those taking a Gender Studies course will still be getting the same material as if the name were different, so perhaps it is alright to change the title. My qualms about this are that it is not feminist to take the title away to please the masses. When did feminism start being about tapering ourselves down to fit within the comfort zone of the rest of society? Why should we have to cater to anyone else? But then i also recognize that the stigma attached to feminism serves to hurt the movement more than help it, so making it more accessible to all students could strengthen the word and make it not "the other F word". So i guess what I am saying is that while I would appreciate keeping Feminist in the title, perhaps Gender Studies is alright also. I do NOT appreciate the word Sexuality in the label. I think it adds to the stigma that all feminists are lesbians. I would be extremely uncomfortable with that title, as I am not interested in lesbian studies as much as I am feminist. While it does broaden the spectrum to call it feminist, gender and sexuality studies, it seems inclusive to me, and might keep more people out. While i hate to say this, i am more comfortable with the idea of feminism when it doesn’t outwardly profess lesbianism as one of its tiers.
because that's what it is. i don't have a problem with the feminist thing because it is about feminist studies. feminist and gender studies can include anything, including sexuality studies
This is the title that is most true to the goals and ideas behind the concentration. The word "feminist," while it might turn some away, is an essential and undeniable aspect to what is studied. PLEASE do not take the word "Feminist" out of the concentration title...it will only add to the perception the feminism is archaic or unimportant.
I strongly prefer that the word "feminist" remain in the name of the concentration. I believe that it is of utmost importance to acknowledge the feminist movement's contribution to the study of gender and also feel that that the word "feminist" must be reclaimed by men and women, not rejected or seen as an artifact of a past movement. Thank you.
don't know that I would particularly prefer Gender Studies to Gender & Sexuality Studies however I am strongly opposed to removing the term 'feminist'. I feel that in removing the term you are conceding or even allowing it to be a 'problematic' term. I've never really identified with the term feminist for fears of the same stigmas we are now debating. Seeing this issue play out on an academic level I feel is representation of what I and many women are trained to do; tone our selves down.
The development of feminism is as much about men as it is about women, but the title of feminism is an important reminder of the dialectic in which progress has been made. We should not lie about it; feminism IS a critique of the male-centered world developed mostly by women, and the strength and value of such an ideology is firmly rooted in this fact. It does significant violence to the possibilities of feminism to attempt to gender-neutralize it. ~A male HC student
It's not so much that I object to "Gender Studies" as a course title. It’s the motivation behind the renaming that troubles me. I object to replacing the term "feminism" with "gender" if the change represents an attempt to repackage women’s studies in a way that might be more palatable to today’s apolitical youth. I am a Haverford guy so maybe I have no place in this discussion, but I feel that Bryn Mawr’s sense of sisterhood needs a little edge. If it is true, as the "summary of the discussion" suggests, that young women feel "increasingly alienated" from the confrontational history of feminism, then I fear we will have a hard time building a livable 21st century. The May Day pixies of Bryn Mawr can keep their gossamer wings, but let’s also see them raise their fists in angry defiance at an ongoing history of oppression.
Feminist, Gender & Sexuality Studies
I feel that this most accurately represents the type of courses being offered currently in the bico community for the concentration/minor. I would prefer the concentration to be Gender Studies or Gender & Sexuality Studies, but I don't feel that this would be representative of the curriculum. Virtually every course offered for the concentration focuses from a feminist/women's perspective: Women and Gender in Early Christianity, Women in Judaism, various English courses focusing on women writers, etc. I can only think of one course offered a couple of years ago for the concentration that examined gender primarily in terms of men, an anthropology course entitled 'Among Men.' The lack of courses examining men/masculinity isn't inherently a problem within the concentration (although I strongly believe that the bico should make a stronger effort to encourage courses to be taught examining issues broader than solely feminist, i.e. masculinity and BLGBT issues) as long as the concentration title reflects the accurate focus of the courses within the concentration - almost all of which take a feminist perspective. To call the concentration 'Gender and Sexuality' or 'Gender Studies' implies that the concentration has a broader focus than it currently does. If the concentration name is changed to one of these two then the breadth of the courses should also be expanded to accurately mirror the new name of the concentration. If the curriculum remains 'as is' then a title including 'feminist' is the best choice. I don't think that any of the titles or the focuses of study are inherently superior over the others, they just represent different focuses within a larger group of studies.
This description seems the most inclusive, describing the interests of women, men, feminists, women/ people of color, and the queer community without excluding or eliding any of the field's central concerns on constituents. Most important, it maintains the "feminist" aspect of its title, the term that I feel most closely tied to. Though perhaps indicative of a certain middle/ upper-middle class origin or consciousness, the feminist movement best represents the theoretical and practical foundation of a significant societal shift, the result of which is that the women of today have (at least nominal) access to many privileges that were previously unavailable. As a Feminist student, I feel that to ignore both this tradition, as well as the ongoing reality of the quest for the equitable status of women, renders my experience/ perspective/ identity invalid, even threatened. The all-inclusiveness of this concentration title, then, seems most reasonable to me because it allows for the existence of a plurality of viewpoints (which other students may feel as attached to as I do to Feminism) without specifically preventing any voice from being heard.
I take to heart the fact that "Feminist" is a category alienating to many women and men, but feel like much "feminist" scholarship in recent years is taking its critics seriously, and appreciate a title that reflects the concentration's somewhat politically directed or at least politically charged approach. Including both Gender and Sexuality in the title also makes sense to me because these are other main topics of study in the concentration. Both words should be included because while they overlap they are separate pieces of human experience. Gender is not an umbrella term for both gender and sexuality, just as sexuality is not an umbrella term for both gender and sexuality. This is the wordiest of titles, but the best, I think, for its precision.
This name gives the most scope to the concentration.
I feel that eliminating "Feminist" from the title really eliminates a large sense of what it seems the concentration was about. The fact is that we live in a male-dominated, patriarchal society, and it is unfortunately necessary to identify areas of study as "feminist". Also, I feel that adding "sexuality" to the title would broaden the conception of the concentration which I believe would be quite valuable.
I think it's important that sexuality be included. I am a Fem/Gen minor, and sexuality has always been a large part of my courses. I also believe it is important to retain feminist as part of the title, although womanist should be added as well, because it best describes the post-modern perspective employed in the courses. We do not just study gender and sexuality, rather we study them from feminist and womanist (although admittedly this voice lesser so)perspective. I propose Feminist and Womanist studies, in order to forefront the perspective rather than the material, and because having four word might be overwhelming.
I think this term is the broadest and allows the most space for interpretation for individual students on what this concentration is about.
all-inclusive.every option taken into account
I think this is the most encompassing term. Despite feelings of alienation in regards to the term "feminist", it is an important part of the curriculum taught and thus important to include in the name. The addition of the term "sexuality" is also important to cover the subdivisions of gay and lesbian studies.
This name actually reflects the veiwpoints we include in this area of study (at least that is my impression). I'm strongly against removing the word Feminist from the name, and am often wistful about changing the name to just Feminist Studies. Wouldn't that be wonderful if the world went back to thinking of feminism as a flexible and scholarly word, instead of the pigeon-holed curse-word it is today??
If we as women want equality, then we must realize that the study of gender is just as much the study of the struggles males go through. The study of gender and its effects on how we function as a society as a whole are important for both genders. Dropping sexist feminist names from the concentration name may attract more people, particularly more males.
as long as feminist is left in the title, i do not think it matters much
This is the most complete general description of the concentration. The other choices do not allow for such an accurate description. Although the term "feminist" may now be seen to have negative connotations, that aspect is still studied under the major and hence should share a part of the name.
I also like this title, although it is a bit wordy. It would be great to acknowledge sexuality studies, but again, I implore that the word feminist remain in the title. thanks.
like the original name, but think sexuality should be added because it is a relatively new public policy and social issue that needs to be addressed and studied.
if it covers sexuality, say so. if it covers feminism, say so. just because people aren't the same type of feminists they were years ago doesn't mean the word is obsolete, nor does it mean that you can't study the old version.
It is much more broad based while still keeping its roots.
I think this title is indicative of the broad range of material that should fall under the concentration. Feminism, gender, and sexuality are technically different things, and I think, for example, a course specifically on sexuality should unquestionably fall under the concentration.
Because this is that most apt description of all the courses that are listed in the course guide as being part of the concentration. For the concentration, you can take classes in all three areas and I think that the name of the concentration should reflect that. What a person has studied to complete the concentration should be reflected in its name. All the other possible names forget to include one of the three areas.
It's more inclusive. I think the stigma of these courses being just "for women" is removed.
It includes everything and doesn't eliminate the term feminist. Though I agree with being sensitive to language and the connotations/associations that come with certain words I believe the field needs to do more to make sure that people don't mistakenly identify feminism as an exclusive or confrontational theory and movement, not simply do away with the name. It's an important term.
Because I believe that the feminist movement and theory is important and we shouldn't deny that. However, we need to move beyond and look more broadly at gender AND sexuality.
If the goal is to be more inclusive, and considering that we don't have a "Queer Studies" dept., this option seems good.
I believe that "Feminist" should remain in the concentration name. It represents more than just a study of women but is also part of the history of women's studies itself. Gender includes both sexes, and even though many would say that emphasizing "feminist" studies is sexist, I think it is necessary to realize that it is women's voices that have historically been silenced and that are still being explored and women's sexuality that is still trying to define itself without always comparing itself to men's sexuality.
I guess in the class the issues that are being talked about are more than just feminism and gender studies. Just because feminism and gender happen to be the most readily realized of the issues they are not the only problems/ issues that should be studied about our society. In truth I do not know if it really matters what it is called as long as in the description of the class all of the issues that are being are will be discussed in the class will be described in the course catalog. Either way discussing all three and the variety of questions and problems that from these topics need to be discussed.
Broader and gives credibility to studies of sexuality issues, which are very important.
Gender & Sexuality Studies
I would actually vote for "Feminist and Sexuality Studies" were it an option. I realize this write-in vote will not win, but perhaps what I have to say will influence your decision. I object to "Gender" in this context because this concentration deals almost exclusively with women's issues, rather than men's issues, and the term "Gender" does not refer exclusively to the female half of humanity. Issues of masculinity and patriarchy, when examined, are examined from explicitly feminist points of view. I am not arguing that men's issues should receive equal treatment besides women's issues in this concentration; in fact I would take the opposite point of view. I mean only to say that the use of the word "gender" implies treatment of both male and female issues. The inclusion of the word "sexuality" strikes me as appropriate, however for practical reasons one should not become too wordy. I would try to limit the title to two words.
I think that this title would be the best choice because I believe that guys will be more likely to take classes without the title including the word 'feminist.' It's rare enough that Haverford boys want to take classes of this type without them being discouraged because of the feminist connotation (meaning that it will be focused upon the empowerment of women) of the concentration title.
If you put the word feminist in, you automatically make it clear that the program is less concerned with gender studies than it is with an amorphous political ideology.
I feel that the word feminist constitutes a restriction on the course material to a female bias. As a female, I would be more apt to take a course without the word 'Feminist' in the title. I have no real preference between Gender and Gender & Sexuality, but the latter allows for a broader field of course material.
Check with SAGA - there is even a pretty impressive binder with a description of the process by which sexuality and gender was decided on as the most holistically encompassing and appropriate terms with which to discuss, well gender and sexuality. I've thought a bit about why Feminist, Gender & Sexuality Studies seems less appealing and the only solid reason I can give beyond phonetic esthetics is that going with FGS is going to bury the name under Cornell's dirth [sic]of google hits.
Most encompassing and least exclusive. But this would of course shift the focus of the concentration. If it is to remain very feminist oriented then I believe the above title (Feminist, Gender & Sexuality Studies) would be the most appropriate. I would, however, rather see the concentration broadened to reflect this title...
Gender and sexuality are two very different topics yet both are important and overlap/interact. However, all shades of grey that exist are covered by this name
Seems to be the most inclusive without being repetitive. In addition, just because "feminist" is not explicitly named in the title does not mean that it elides the political, social, or cultural history of feminism. Obviously the field of gender and sexuality studies was engendered (pun intended) by certain feminist theories, and there is no reason that Gender and Sexuality should be shorn of such theories. Naming the field Gender and Sexuality seems to recognize the important consequences of feminism, while simultaneously bringing feminism under the more inclusive umbrella of gender and sexuality studies in general. We are not fleeing the challenge of certain problematic feminist theories if we move to include feminism in what could and (perhaps) should be its broader political, moral and philosophical context.
I think the term 'feminist' tends to scare off certain people. There are certain connotations connected to the word, i.e. radical-left, heterosexual, Caucasian women of a certain age/wealth bracket. Discussion is limited because everyone in the room tends to agree on most issues. Also, renaming the department isn't necessarily a slap at feminism, per se, but a realization that the field has expanded to include things like queer theory and the male perspective.
This is probably my favorite choice, but truly since I don't know much about the department, I cannot be confident. I like the idea of taking "feminist" out of the title - this is a loaded word, and seems to imply an ideological bias, and also might turn men off from exploring the department. Gender and Sexuality are different, so I like the inclusion of both. Still, as I said, I don't really know what the department offers. If it offers courses that explore both gender and sexuality issues, than this is fitting.
feminist doesn't need to be there
It would encourage more men to enroll in courses.
I feel that feminism as a political movement could arise from within concepts of gender and sexuality. I believe that the nomenclature of Gender & Sexuality would allow feminism to exist (or thrive) without an overt politicization of the concentration title.
I feel like this includes the broadest range of topics and does not exclude anyone.
it include gender thus feminist studies and masculinist (?) studies but does not reduce it to merely genre, instead expanding the topics to include anything that has to do with sexuality and gender.
Neutral- there is no reason that females should be singled out for the study of gender- we're in the 21st century!
I think this explains the concentration best- covers everything on a general scale. Feminist makes it heavier on the gender side (maybe the concentration is heavier on that side though?).
It connotes a broadness and equality that makes the area of study seem both more inclusive of male, female and sexuality issues and more open to be studied by males and females.
I think it should actually be Gender and Sexuality Studies, a combination of this one and the Gender Studies. It conveys the meaning of the concentration and provides a highly academic orientation.
Studies?
I find the term 'feminist' to be antiquated and moderately offensive when its historical context is likened comparatively to modern treatment of women. I believe that the definition of 'feminism' your dept. seeks is 'the significance of women in a previously male-dominated society: the contributions of the underrepresented.' As such you may want to highlight the HISTORY of feminism or the social significance of feminism IN HISTORY, but to call your concentration 'feminist studies' is to concoct images of women clashing against the damned chauvinist society when no such oppressive, limiting, and holding-back society exists anymore. Feminism is an obsolete term, applicable only in its historical context and interesting enough when examined over primarily the course of the last 200 years, but truly the past several millennia as well. However, women are no longer oppressed. To be a feminist nowadays is no longer a badge of pride. It is an indication of arrogance based on gender that has dynamically reversed the millennia old imbalance, hence it has tipped the scale towards women. To be a feminist now is to love your womanhood at the expense of others' manhood, to be so prided in something that you had no control of, to find that, somehow, you feel compelled to gloat about that which you comprise that 49% of the population is excluded from as if it was an obvious indication of your superiority. We are all humans. Let us leave the terminology at that.
I believe the feminist label can be accommodated under the broader heading of gender. Keeping in mind that I believe the term "feminist" shouldn't be demonized, by incorporating it under the more general terms of Gender, we can open up the department to more options, such as transgendered or intersexual studies, instead of just feminism.
leaves out the unnecessarily loaded connotations of the word "feminist" while still being specific enough to include the fact that it focuses on sexuality.
I feel that this title opens up the field to the study of male/female genders, and various sexualities.
I feel its important to recognize the place of sexuality in the concentration. I don't feel eliminating the term "feminist" from the title will deny the place of the term in the history of the study and I believe it is quite clear (though, perhaps unfortunately so) that the concentration has a focus on women. I agree completely with the statement that "some might argue that "feminist" preserves and "essentialist" reading of women rather than a multiple positioning of gendering and identity."
Feminism is about issues of sex, sexuality and gender. By putting Feminist in the concentration, it betrays the theoretical/political leanings of the department.Something that is not done in any other field (although the theoretical/political leanings still exist and tend to lean in a very particular direction at this school)
This title gives no preference to gender while still emphasizing the importance of gender in general. It also acknowledges the important connection between sexuality and gender.
Gender Studies
men will not shy away from the major
It's all-encompassing with no potentially negative connotations.
Even though this title is much more vague than the others, as a male on campus, I really feel that it is important to afford men who are interested in this concentration to keep their dignity - not to be judged by hetero-centric males on campus. In addition, I feel that having the bragging point of a "Feminist & Gender Studies" concentration will bring a much different type of student to campus. We need to be wary of that. Is Feminism and Gender Studies a Haverfordian title? I would be offended!
Gender studies sounds more dryly academic than the other choices. It is more inclusive because it omits "Feminist" and without "sexuality" is a less loaded term that will not scare hesitant students from the concentration.
I am a male and I think the word feminism is loaded. I feel like this name will be more inclusive, and will attract more men to the program.
I feel that previous name was sexist.
I think gender is useful as a term that emphasizes the social constructed-ness of our conceptions of what it means to be a man, woman, transsexual. I don't know what "sexuality" means, and I'm not convinced anyone does. Am I as a heterosexual excluded or deprioritized from the perspective of "sexuality" studies? Cornell's description makes it sound like a way of talking around what might be called "queer theory." If we want to call it that or something like it, fine. I agree that "feminist studies" is a term from which my generation feels somewhat distanced. Although I don't want to loose track of the political urgency of the struggle against gender inequity, I believe that what used to be called feminist studies has grown into something that is more broadly applicable from a theoretical point of view, and has deepened our critical perspective as culture as a whole.
less of a turnoff for men taking the class
It seems the most broad, and doesn't limit the concentration, should it want to change direction some time in the future. Including the words "feminist" or "sexuality" in the title do not leave much room for slight change without changing the name again.
I feel that the word feminist constitutes a restriction on the course material to a female bias. As a female, I would be more apt to take a course without the word 'Feminist' in the title. I have no real preference between Gender and Gender & Sexuality, but the latter allows for a broader field of course material.
This term sounds more inclusive.
it gets to the point; it inherently implies studying gender roles and feminism
I am currently a Feminist and Gender Studies minor and am taking the core course at Bryn Mawr. Through discussions in class, I've come to the conclusion that the word feminist does not attract people to course or the department. While this does sadden me, I do have to understand that a word is just a word and what I'm more concerned with is with people just being exposed to the ideas and theories that are being taught in existing classes. As to the argument that it will drive away those that are attracted to the word feminist, I truly believe that for those who are interested in the study will come, no matter the name. It is the content that interests them. Also, personally, it is gender studies that interests me, not so much feminism. Where as I do identify as a feminist, I don't feel the need to bring that into my academic work so boldly as to possibly alienate other viewpoints or discussions. If the program was named just feminist studies, I wouldn't be a part of it.
I think that this title encompasses the other three choices. Gender studies is the study that everything that has to do with gender: sexualities, feminism, masculinity, etc.
Because I believe that such a concentration has, in modern times, come to encompass a wider range of topics and subjects. Such a title would succeed in conveying this quite well.
Most inclusive name without being bias. Also by eliminating the word 'Feminist' and not adding anything else like 'Sexuality' the name will hold less connotations that may be unfit for describing the actual field of study.
I think this encompasses the key ideas of the concentration without trivializing any and without named explicitly the different sections, which i feel there are an uncountable amount of.
It appropriately describes the content of the concentration and removes the word "feminist" which indicates a bias in the study of gender.
If we as women want equality, then we must realize that the study of gender is just as much the study of the struggles males go through. The study of gender and its effects on how we function as a society as a whole are important for both genders. Dropping sexist feminist names from the concentration name may attract more people, particularly more males.
This is a more broad definition and I believe it includes most classes that fall in the grey category when Feminist AND Gender studies is used.
I think this title is straightforward and inclusive. Gender studies will most likely include such topics as sexuality and feminism but are certainly not limited to said topics.
I think that the name should focus on what is being studied. Even if feminism is often the focus of the concentration, feminism only exists with the contrast between male and female, and hence some sort of an interaction between "male" and "female" is what is taking place, even if we study this primarily through examining the lives of women. As for sexuality, I think that is also important, but putting it in the name of the concentration is unnecessary, since a study of "gender" I think implies a study of all kinds of sexuality as well. Moreover, I think putting "sexuality" in the name biases the way the concentration initially sounds in a way that may not necessarily be entirely positive to everyone.
I know that that is a broad name, but it includes a lot.
A concentration called "Gender Studies" does not put off men as easily as one with "Feminist" in the title. If the concentration were called "Gender Studies" more men would be likely to take classes in that concentration and make the classes more interesting because there would be a more varied gender representation.
It sums up effectively the issues being discussed. It is strange and a little offensive to have a subject devoted to women if none is specifically for men. Gender Studies makes the distinction less sharp.
the term "feminist" is dated and no longer applicable; also, on a social level, it implies the exclusion/degradation of males. "Sexuality" need not be added to the term, as sexuality is one of the many sub-issues of the studies of gender. This term is more modern, more accessible, and is more appropriate and respectable.
I think the term Feminist scares people away, including some women and especially men. It seems to me that gender is precisely what is being studied: the cultural perception and treatment of different sexes. I'm not sure how this would exclude LGBT people...
Gender is a particular social construct that pervasively influences human action. On that basis it merits study. Sexuality and feminism are subsets of gender and while worthy of study do not need to be highlighted in the title of the concentration. Ultimately I believe that studying gender and how the construct of gender affects action is worth studying and hope the concentration studies it. I think studying feminism is a study of history, and a study of sexuality will devolve into a study of biology and a particular subset of humans. I do not think it will yield as fruitful insights into humans and human society as a broad, forward looking inquiry into the causes of the construct of gender and the effect of that construct on human action. David Henry '05
Gender studies examine BOTH genders, not just the feminine. The inclusion of "feminist" in the title implies that male students have no use for such studies or that they will not be able to completely understand the material.
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.
General comments on the concentration:
Though the burden of discovery clearly rests on me, I wish the concentration had been better "publicized" (at Haverford) because I think I might have seriously considered it. I also think that increasing the number of courses cross-listed as part of the concentration would increase interest and awareness.
The negative connotations of "feminism" is still a part of that subject and should be respected.
The concentration as it stands is much too focused on Feminist studies. Though feminism is still relevant, I believe the department should include more queer and male studies to truly live up to the name of Gender and Sexuality Studies. As a gay male, I find this lack of options offputting to any desire to concentrate in this department.
change public opinion about feminism. make it a popular term.
don't know much about the concentration, so I don't know quite which name would be most appropriate now.
Let's make it a major!
You said you want the broadest sample, so here's my input. I probably won't ever take a class in this concentration and I don't think it matters to me what the name is.
recruit, recruit, recruit
I don't think you need to poll us. Just change it -- no one really cares.
does any of this make any difference what so ever in the world? find something more important to deal with.
I am biased to the "Feminist and Gender Studies" but I think that is because I hear that term used quite often (as it is the current name of the concentration). However, I feel that "Gender and Sexuality" conveys that there is more being looked at besides gender. The obliteration of "feminist" is not really a problem I feel, since women's issues based on gender can be covered within the term: "gender". I hope what I just said makes sense.
It seems that some courses that should fall under the concentration do not.
Changing the name of the concentration will mean nothing unless the courses are correspondingly changed to reflect the new name and the new issues brought to the table.
This discussion, while it does raise some interesting issues, misses the point entirely. By making such a fuss over the name of the major you only make those of us who are skeptical about its validity laugh. It further marginalizes a subject hardly taken seriously. That is not to say that using the tools that feminists and queer theorrists have created, in moderation, to analyze philosophy, literature, history, economics, visual and preforming arts, and political science is not fruitful. Such analyses have their place, but by isolating the subject from the rest of the majors and concentrations you draw a line of demarcation between feminists and queers and the rest of society. It implies that the rest of the majors are straight male studies. While to a large degree the authors and issues studied involve straight males, they have implications for all of us. You should attempt to further integrate fem/gen studies into the already existing fields of study. To allow someone to spend their entire college career studying the world through one viewpoint is silly and has no place at Haverford. Spend your money on finding people to teach classes about women and queers in politics, history, literature, economics, etc. Taking fem/gen studies out of these intellectual contexts only furthers the imbalance of power you are trying to correct (at least that is what I think you are trying to do). This concentration will only foster an inward looking group of people on the fringe of the intelligentia. For thousands of years queers and women may have been marginalized and isolated, no one, at Haverford anyway, is asking you to separate yourself from the rest of the community. Making such a fuss just makes you look silly and petty.
I love it!
I am a male and I think the word feminism is loaded. I feel like this name will be more inclusive, and will attract more men to the program.
I did not know this concentration exists until the survey was sent out! Perhaps it should be better advertised.
Very worthwhile.
I would actually vote for "Feminist and Sexuality Studies" were it an option. I realize this write-in vote will not win, but perhaps what I have to say will influence your decision. I object to "Gender" in this context because this concentration deals almost exclusively with women's issues, rather than men's issues, and the term "Gender" does not refer exclusively to the female half of humanity. Issues of masculinity and patriarchy, when examined, are examined from explicitly feminist points of view. I am not arguing that men's issues should receive equal treatment besides women's issues in this concentration; in fact I would take the opposite point of view. I mean only to say that the use of the word "gender" implies treatment of both male and female issues. The inclusion of the word "sexuality" strikes me as appropriate, however for practical reasons one should not become too wordy. I would try to limit the title to two words.
As a fem gen concentrator I absolutely do not want the Feminist part of the title dropped, although I don’t mind adding on sexuality i think that the name of the concentration is fine as is.
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