Mission Statement The Center for Women's Studies at West Virginia University is dedicated to the mission of creating, evaluating, and disseminating knowledge based on feminist scholarship. We recognize diverse approaches to gender studies and the intersection of gender with other social identities such as class, race, sexual orientation, ability, age, and ethnicity in all that we do. We are committed to expanding access to education about women beyond the classrooms and campuses of West Virginia University and do so connecting the people of our state and region to sources of feminist scholarship worldwide. We accomplish our mission as a program within the WVU Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, while pursuing a unique university-wide mission. (Note: "University" means the Morgantown and regional campuses of West Virginia University.) Barb Howe
Center History The Center for Women's Studies at WVU recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. The Center began in 1980 as a program within the College of Arts and Sciences, with Judith Stitzel, professor of English, as its first coordinator and continuing as director until 1992. In 1984, the Center was established within the Office of the vice-president for Academic Affairs and Research. The Center once again became affiliated with the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences on July 1, 1993. In 1994 Helen Bannan became the Center's second permanent director. The Center's current director is Dr. Barb Howe. The first class of Women's Studies Certificate students graduated in 1986. Since that time, the number of students enrolled in Women's Studies courses throughout WVU has grown to over 2,000 and the numbers continue to grow with each new semester. In 2003, a BA in women's studies was first offered, with the first WVU women's studies major (Jamie Lynn Baxter) graduating in December of that year. Women's studies examines women's roles, achievements and experiences, both historically and across cultures. Women have been studied for a long time, but only recently have women significantly influenced methodology and how that knowledge has been put to use. Women's studies courses examine the contributions, perspectives, experiences, roles, and status of women within an historical and multicultural framework. Challenging the stereotypes of women and men, our students explore the ways gender, socioeconomic class, sexual identity, race, ethnicity and age shape experience. An interdisciplinary field, women's studies embraces the arts, humanities, social sciences, and physical sciences. Women's studies brings to light valuable information about women in the family and at work, in the arts, in politics, and in the science -- information that traditionally has been ignored. Women's studies also explores female behavior and the realities of women's lives. It examines how femininity and masculinity are socially and culturally molded rather than determined by biology alone. What Will Women's Studies Do For Me? WVU students say women's studies courses help them grow both personally and academically. Typical comments include: "I learned self-awareness and leadership skills." "I found my 'voice' and courage to express my own opinions." I learned about networking, risk-taking, nurturing and respecting people different from myself." "Women's studies taught me how to think about a question from all sides." "Women's studies gave me support--I know now I'm not the only feminist at this university." For more information on the opportunities offered through women's studies, click here. Can Men Take Women's Studies Courses? Don't let the name mislead you. Women's Studies is not just about women, nor is it about male-bashing or gender wars. Rather, women's studies courses cover a broad range of subjects with sensitivity to gender, race, sexual orientation and class. Women and men are involved in the program both as professors and students. Many men have graduated from the women's studies program with certificates or minors and hundreds more take courses such as Women's Studies 170, the introductory course. "I think that all students should take women's studies classes to broaden their views," said David "Hoby" Botero, a communications and Spanish major from Colombia. "It is a key to a new world. Little by little, we can find a common equality." Social work graduate student William Townsend finds women's studies enriching personally and intellectually. Raised primarily by his mother, Townsend finds Women's Studies helped him to understand why, with a mother as a sole breadwinner, he was raised in poverty. "I try to encourage other males to take Women's Studies courses because they will enable them to work in diverse groups," said Townsend. How Do I Get A Degree In Women's Studies? Currently, there are several undergraduate and graduate degrees available for women's studies students, including minor and major options. For more information on these degrees, go to this page. You can also contact the Center for Women's Studies at 218 Eiesland Hall (304-293-2339) for more information, or Dr. Barbara Howe, Director (at 293-2339 x 1155, or barbara.howe@mail.wvu.edu) for an advising appointment. Check in at least once a semester with the Center to update your progress toward graduation. Business, public administration, health care, communications, law, teaching, social work, counseling, creative arts, government and journalism are all fields in which a major, minor or graduate certificate in Women's Studies is a valuable professional credential. Over 2,000 students now enroll annually in Women's Studies courses available throughout WVU. Women's Studies Faculty Associates in many departments teach a wide variety of courses, and new courses are being continually added. Many women's studies courses fulfill Liberal Studies Program requirements or certain GEC objectives.
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Center Information and History
