Department Overview
The Department of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies offers students an interdisciplinary curriculum that focuses on the diverse experiences of women in both national and international contexts. The Department also examines the meaning of gender as a socially constructed category that shapes personal identities, beliefs, opportunities, and behaviors. The wide range of classes explores the intersections of gender, race, class, and sexuality; the institutional structures that have an impact on women’s and men’s lives; and the broad range of feminist theory that seeks to explain and influence women’s status in society. Among the areas of emphasis in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies are gender and sexuality, queer studies, third world feminism, cultural representation and literature, women and labor, feminist theory, critical race feminism, immigration and citizenship, and social activism.
Core and affiliated faculty in the Department come from a wide range of disciplinary perspectives including history, literature, anthropology, sociology, geography, environmental studies, ethnic studies, philosophy, religious studies, architecture and fine arts, music, romance and Germanic languages, political science, public policy, and law.
The Department of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies offers students:
- Unique opportunities to participate in internships in the community and to pursue individual research projects;
- Ability to engage in participatory learning and teaching experiences in feminist pedagogy seminars and as discussion facilitators for the introductory class; and
- Close interaction with faculty, individualized guidance and advising, and courses that prepare them for employment and/or further education in graduate schools or professional schools of law, medicine, teaching, or social work.
COVID-19 Response
We know that this is a very difficult time for many of you and we are dedicated to ensuring your academic success. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your instructors or our department at wgs@uoregon.edu for assistance. For additional information on student resources available during COVID-19 visit our Student Resources page.
2024 Sally M. Gearhart Lecture
Join us for the 2024 Sally M. Gearhart Lecture featuring Carla Trujillo, presenting the talk titled ‘Writing Revolutions and Revelations’, on Thursday, May 2, 2024, from 4:00 to 5:30 pm at Papé Reception Hall in the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art.
Congratulations to WGSS Professor Yvette Saavedra for 2024 Antonia I. Castaneda Prize
Yvette Saavedra, an associate professor in the College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, has been awarded the 2024 Antonia I. Castañeda Prize for her article “Speaking for Themselves: Rancheras and Respectability in Mexican California, 1800-1850,” by the National Association for Chicana and Chicano Studies. This annual prize is awarded to historical scholarship that examines the intersections of class, race, gender and sexuality, particularly related to Chicana/Latina and/or Native/Indigenous women.
Additionally, on April 22,
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Congratulations to WGSS Professor Judith Raiskin for CAS Diversity Grant and Faculty Research Award
Congratulations to Professor Judith Raiskin, who has been awarded a CAS Diversity Grant matched by a grant from the Division of Equity and Inclusion. These funds will go towards completing her documentary, ‘Outliers and Outlaws.’ In addition to these two DEI awards, Judith has also received the Faculty Research Award for next year.