/ Women's and Gender Studies

Degree Programs

The WomenÑÇÖÞÉ«°É™s and Gender Studies major and minor are interdisciplinary programs.

Both programs draw on resources and departments in the humanities and social sciences. Classes are discussion-based and knowledge gained is both intellectual and experiential in nature.

By completing a degree in Women's and Gender Studies, students develop insights and skills to end sexism, sexist exploitation, and oppression in communities, institutions, organizations, families, and relationships. Specifically, students will:

  • Understand the impact of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, ableness and class in defining self and worldview
  • Replace subordination/domination and dependence/exploitation with feminist awareness and critique, to reveal underlying assumptions
  • Move from being objects of study to be subjects and researchers with a voice of your own
  • Examine what women have done, are doing and will do
  • Seek a link between voice, empowerment, self-esteem and critical thinking

Program Outcomes

Hope College students completing a WomenÑÇÖÞÉ«°É™s and Gender Studies degree will:

  • Demonstrate an interdisciplinary and cross-cultural understanding of the creation, meaning, function and perpetuation of gender in human societies, both past and present
  • Acquire and demonstrate competence in critical thinking, writing and oral expression within the field of womenÑÇÖÞÉ«°É™s and gender studies
  • Cultivate intrapersonal awareness and interpersonal skills needed to be competent global citizens
  • Understand feminist research methods and apply them to scholarship and praxis on topics related to women, gender and/or sexuality
  • Develop a deeper understanding of the intersection of feminism and the historic Christian faith

Women's and Gender Studies Student