The Daily Bulletin Archive

By Mary A. Durlak

The women’s studies minor is a vital, engaging program that provides interested students—men as well as women—with the opportunity to pursue an individualized, interdisciplinary course of study under the broad discipline that is women’s studies in the twenty-first century. The minor is attracting a growing number of students.

“Women’s studies explores more than opportunities and roles for women,” said Jennifer Hunt, associate professor of psychology and coordinator of the program. “We also explore gender and sexuality, both of which are important influences on the lives of men as well as women.” Gender refers to the social and cultural dimensions of a person’s biological sex. Those dimensions include the social meanings associated with being a man or a woman, such as beliefs about what characteristics are masculine and feminine, and norms for appropriate behavior for women and men.

Hunt explained that gender can influence all aspects of life, including childrearing, interactions between people, and even individual aspirations, experiences, and self-concepts. The Women’s Studies Interdisciplinary Unit also has started a brown bag series called “Discussions about Gender and Sexuality in Teaching, Research, and Service,” in conjunction with the Faculty Development Office.

The minor provides foundational material about the experiences of women in society, the field of women’s studies, and feminist theory through its sole required course, Women in Society. Students can complete the 18-credit-hour minor by choosing the remaining courses from several disciplines, including English, history, health and wellness, and the humanities as well as sociology and psychology.

The women’s studies program also plays a key role in celebrating Women’s History Month every March. This year’s keynote speaker, Lynn Peril, will speak on Tuesday, March 23, at 12:15 p.m. in Bulger Communication Center North. Peril, the author of College Girls: Bluestockings, Sex Kittens, and Co-eds, Then and Now and Pink Think: Becoming a Woman in Many Uneasy Lessons, will speak about the history of women in higher education.

The first Women’s History Month event is a joint event with African and African American studies that celebrates both African American history and women’s history with a presentation by Barbara A. Seals Nevergold, ’66, and Peggy Brooks-Bertram on Tuesday, February 23, at 12:15 p.m. in Bulger Communication Center South.

Nevergold and Brooks-Bertram founded the Uncrowned Queens Institute for Research and Education on Womenat the University at Buffalo in 1999. When Barack Obama was elected president in 2008, they issued a call for letters from African American women to the new president’s wife. The resulting book, Go, Tell Michelle: African American Women Write to the New First Lady,expresses the support, love, and pride that Michelle Obama has inspired.

The next event is the opening reception for the Women’s Art Display, which will take place on Friday, March 5, at 3:00 p.m. in E. H. Butler Library’s lobby. The display, on view through March, showcases artistic work in many media created by female students, faculty, staff, and alumnae from Buffalo State College. Works must be submitted to Barbara Vaughan by February 25.

The Women’s Studies Research Symposium, which will take place on Friday, March 12, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in E. H. Butler Library 210, provides the campus with an opportunity to learn about new scholarship and creative work related to women, gender, and sexuality. “The research symposium helps fulfill our mission to promote scholarly and creative activities about women and gender at Buffalo State,” Hunt said.

“The events we hold during Women’s History Month are a very small part of what we offer,” said Hunt. “A minor in women’s studies can enrich students’ understanding of many disciplines.”