The U Mass Dartmouth Women's Studies Program provides students the opportunity to study and analyze what it means to be female in contemporary society, to discover the historical factors that have shaped the current status of women from all backgrounds and countries and to explore paths to achieve equality for all people. The program's goal is to investigate how the notion of gender, the idea of differences between the sexes, has produced certain assumptions, expectations, and stereotypes. Gender alone does not yield a full understanding of women's lives, so Women's Studies courses also examine other factors, such as race, class, culture, and sexuality. Students examine not only the obstacles and difficulties that affect women, but also the courage, cooperation and achievements that can guide positive responses to ongoing challenges.
Women's Studies constitutes both a subject matter and an approach to learning. Students receive close advising from the program director; a number of courses utilize a seminar format to allow the fullest possible participation by all students; and opportunities are available for both independent research and applications of classroom learning to field experiences.
Revision date: November 15, 1997
URL : http://www2.umassd.edu/wrcwms/wms/about/mission.html
Email : wrcwms@umassd.edu