Women’s and Gender Studies Minor
Gender issues are at the forefront of our culture today, from same-sex marriage to pay equity to human rights. There are gendered aspects to most every topic, which is why a minor in women鈥檚 and gender studies (WGS) will complement any North Park major, including , , , , , , and the fine and liberal arts.
Focused attention in women鈥檚 and gender studies will prepare you to work for an organization that addresses women鈥檚 issues or consult for a business or government body that needs expertise in such gender-related issues as pay equity, sexual harassment, and equal employment opportunities in several fields, including law, medicine, teaching, social work, education, and others. Your minor will provide additional confidence if you want to pursue a career in a male-dominated field.
The WGS minor offers a complete look at the history, impact, and current issues of gender. An introductory class will examine societal issues of health and sexuality, media, environment, family, jobs, violence, and crime. Other courses span women鈥檚 history to contemporary feminism, bringing in multicultural perspectives and focusing on specific topics, like gender-related violence, justice, and global women鈥檚 issues.
Why Choose North Park?
The WGS program will advance students鈥� understanding about women, feminism, and gender鈥攁nd to bring the discussion to the whole North Park community through campus engagement projects. The curriculum seeks to encourage students鈥� commitment to the pursuit of justice for women and men through political and social activism, volunteer opportunities, and their chosen careers.
At North Park, WGS students direct campus-wide discussions for the Fall Focus on Gender and Women鈥檚 History Month by planning events, inviting speakers, facilitating panel and roundtable discussions, and conducting service-learning projects in conjunction with Chicago-area organizations of their choice. With the city鈥檚 considerable number of non-profit agencies, students have connected with a wide range of organizations that address topics like global education, fair trade, a homeless shelter, and Native American women.
Classes also explore issues of faith and women in Christian and non-Christian religions, examining, for example, Biblical interpretation and misinterpretation of women鈥檚 issues, domestic violence in Muslim vs. American culture, and female genital mutilation as religious tradition.
Minor Requirements
To meet the requirements for the WGS minor, students must complete:
- 20 semester hours of coursework
- A portfolio, submitted to the program chair, that includes a self-assessment, reflection on their educational experiences, and samples of work from each completed course.
This minor is not a standalone program; students must complete a at North Park in order to graduate from the University.
Learn more about .
Meet the Faculty
Classes are taught by Dr. Margaret Haefner, director of the Women鈥檚 and Gender Studies Program and professor of communication arts/media studies. 鈥淕ender is on our culture鈥檚 front burner. It鈥檚 relevant to everybody personally, whether they know it or not,” she says of this discipline. “Usually one of the most surprising things for students is how relevant it is to them.鈥�