Learning Outcomes
Undergraduate Learning Outcomes:
Learning Outcome 1: Identify and explain the diversity of women’s lives and experiences
Learning Outcome 2: Analyze current social and political situations from feminist perspectives
Learning Outcome 3: Understand contemporary social problems in order to offer effective strategies for change
Learning Outcome 4: Articulate how institutions in society affect individuals, identifying patterns of privilege and discrimination in their own lives
Learning Outcome 5: Develop elements of critical thinking, i.e. identify main arguments and assumptions of texts and be able to evaluate them in the context of concepts learned in the course.
Graduate Studies Learning Outcomes:
Through participation in and successful completion of the Master of Arts (MA), students will graduate with:
Outcome 1: Substantive knowledge in an area of feminist scholarship that includes familiarity with the diversity of women’s lives and experience and the ability to analyze current social and political trends from feminist perspectives. This is accomplished through application of critical thinking, coursework, ethical practice of research, independent study, and thesis.
Outcome 2: Preparation for doctoral-level work in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and eventual careers in academia. This is demonstrated through application of standard and innovative theory and methods in coursework and thesis, participation in the WS Orientation and Professionalization series, and from WS 535 Feminist Teaching and Learning, Graduate Teaching Assistantships, and opportunities for presentations at professional conferences.
Outcome 3: Feminist leadership skills and preparation for careers in social justice and social change agencies. This is demonstrated through participation in WS 521 Feminist Leadership and Management; WS 522 Grant Writing and Development for Feminist Organizations; WS 523 Community Organizing and Collective Action, and through the WS 510 internship experience.
Outcome 4: Preparation for life in a diverse, global environment. This is demonstrated through coursework and participation in the Global Experience series that involves a short-term study abroad service-learning experience.
Outcome 5: Ability to synthesize feminist theory and research with contemporary social problems in order to offer effective and ethical strategies for change. This is accomplished through coursework in theory and methods, WS 523 Collective Action Analysis, as well as through the internship and service-learning opportunities in national and transnational settings that focus on social justice.