What is Women's Studies?

The idea of the interdisciplinary field of Women's Studies emerged in the late 1960s as students and faculty recognized that research and teaching often ignored or devalued the contributions and experiences of women. The development of courses that gave serious and informed attention to women's lives involved a search for historical documents by and about women, the unfolding of women's concerns, and formation of feminist theories. Since the first Women's Studies program was established in 1970, Women's Studies programs have grown and prospered and today exist in most major educational institutions in the U.S.. Moreover, feminist scholarship has changed the way many disciplines approach their work.

Coordinators and Administration
Dr. Mary Thompson English Department   MSC 1801   Keezell 413   (540) 568-3758   thompsmx@jmu.edu	Dr. Jessica Davidson History Department MSC 2001 Jackson 223 (540) 568- 2697 davidsjb@jmu.edu
JMU's Women's Studies Program is administered through the Office of Cross Disciplinary Studies. The Women's Studies Advisory Board oversees the program and reviews proposed courses. The program coordinators serve as the academic advisers for students who elect the minor.
Mission and Program Objectives
The minor in Women's Studies is an 18-credit-hour interdisciplinary program that explores the scholarship related to gender and equity issues as they affect women. The minor reflects a common core of knowledge and a strong academic foundation from diverse disciplines designed to help students achieve the following objectives:
Develop an interdisciplinary perspective on women and on society's construction of gender roles Explore the extent to which gender affects access to opportunity, power, and resources Enhance community awareness and sensitivity within the university to the experiences and contributions of women Foster and facilitate research and scholarship on women and gender issues
History
In 1989 a subcommittee of the Faculty Women's Caucus proposed a Women's Studies program and minor that was approved in 1991 and was first housed in the Madison Center for Interdisciplinary Studies. The first Introduction to Women's Studies course was co-taught in the spring of 1992 by Dr. Arnie Kahn (Psychology) and Ms. Sharon O'Hare (Economics). The first director of Women's Studies was Dr. Violet Allain (General Education), who served from 1992-1997. She was succeeded by Dr. Mary Lou Wiley (affiliate) who served until 2004. The program is currently under the direction of Drs. Jessica Davidson (History) and Mary Thompson (English)and is part of Cross Disciplinary Studies. The first student to graduate with an official minor in Women's Studies was in 1993.