Women’s studies is the scholarly study of the differences between the lives of men and the lives of women. Through social analysis endeavoring to identify clear sex-gender distinctions, this discipline documents and analyzes the status of women and situates women’s lives in the context of other forms of political-cultural movements. It places a heavy emphasis on the context in which women’s and men’s lives unfold and gender is interpreted.

The women’s studies program at Brigham Young University promotes serious academic inquiry in the understanding of women’s unique patterns of development, their viewpoints and contributions, and their involvement in families, religions, and societies throughout the world. This program of study also increases the capabilities of students to find solutions to conditions barring women’s peace and progression, such as violence against them and their lack of educational opportunities.

The women's studies minor is an interdisciplinary study of women that complements a student's academic major. The program:

• enlarges intellectual exposure to the theories, research methods, and findings in women’s studies;
• promotes scholarly research in the historical, cultural, and the theological meaning of gender;
• increases capabilities to build solutions to gender-related problems; and
• strengthens spiritual understanding of the eternal nature of gender.

Here are only a few ways a minor benefits students:

• expands their knowledge in a specific area of interest while earning college credit;
• complements and enhances their major;
• personalizes their education and supports their individual skills, talents, and interests;
• provides them with an edge in the job market because of the added depth of knowledge;
• provides them with an edge in the job market because of the added depth of knowledge;
• helps mold their career path;
• opens unexpected opportunities in careers; and
• acts as a tiebreaker between students with a minor and another qualified competitor.

The inclusion of knowledge regarding women’s experiences and perspectives increases the level of specialization within many academic disciplines. By applying the theories and findings fundamental to understanding women, students will be able to bring greater knowledge to bear on the assumptions and conclusions they encounter in their major. In this way, the minor in women’s studies complements major fields of study, allowing for greater specialization by focusing on women, such as women in art, the psychological development of women, or legal issues relating to women and families. Hence, the women’s studies minor meaningfully focuses content areas, allowing students to obtain more precise training and greater expertise.

Women’s studies students develop many of the following beneficial skills and can:

• understand, analyze, and explain significant theological, philosophical, and theoretical texts relevant to women’s studies;
• produce and present effective oral, written, and multimedia presentations on important topics in women’s studies;
• demonstrate understanding of the uses and limitations of quantitative and qualitative research methods, and appropriately apply them to various types of research questions;
• design, implement, and evaluate both basic research in women’s studies and community programs relevant to gender-related issues;
• make informed decisions about their own behavior and the behavior of those with whom they relate personally and professionally, based on their acquired understanding of the role gender plays in human interactions;
• assess their own professional work and improve their future performance based on standards of excellence constructed from their learning experiences in the women’s studies program; and
• become spiritually strengthened by understanding the eternal nature of gender as well as the theological foundation for gender equality.

Women’s studies students advance their knowledge of historical, political, and international issues crucial to the history of women, learning how gender has molded the dynamics of the world. Women’s studies students also improve their abilities to build solutions to gender-related problems, specifically with married life, domestic violence, and work environment. The women’s studies minor provides courses from a wide range of departments and professors, which most minor programs are unable to offer. Additionally, students examine the challenges facing women from various perspectives.

Demand is growing in the professions of law, medicine, social work, teaching, counseling, and government service for expertise on gender issues. Similarly, women's studies specialists are increasingly being employed as consultants in industry, higher education, insurance companies, and personnel firms. Here are just a few of the professions women’s studies students have pursued:

Clinical social worker Health clinic coordinator College professor Human rights advocate Victims' advocate Journalist Archivist Lawyer Artist or musician Battered women's center director

Business owner Nurse-midwife Legislative aide Public relations manager Rape crisis program director Casting director Town manager Health clinic medical assistant Union organizer Hospital foundation executive director

Guide to College Majors/Minors in Women's Studies

Students can declare a women’s studies minor at the College of Family, Home and Social Sciences Advisement Center in 151 SWKT. Request the women’s studies minor form and fill it out. The form can also be picked up at the Women’s Research Institute, 1063 JFSB.

Students can visit the Women’s Research Institute, 1063 JFSB, and ask for the women’s studies coordinator, Carrie Scoresby.