For those who have not taken a Women's Studies course, what are your perceptions of what goes on there?

Question

Just out of curiousity, what do people believe goes on in Women's Studies courses or programs? What do you think is the point of such programs? (I know I'll get the usual amount of idiotic answers) but I'd really like to know people's perceptions of such courses. Thank you.

For the two people (don't know your names...didn't care to write them down before I responded to your oh so eloquent statements--you know who you are. I hope) who mentioned this: I would really like to know how you think an academic institution would allow what you're suggesting. Do you honestly believe that all of the government agencies and stakeholders within and around academia would allow courses that promote what you're suggesting? Exactly how defensive must one be to believe that "the ivory towers" are creating places for women to get together to poke their male voodoo dolls and write their treatises on men's inferiority?

Hey ladies--I think they're on to us.

Answer 1

I expect that they probably discuss historical womens involvment in selected scopes. They probably discuss present day issues regarding women. I don't really know, but that's what I expect is going on in such courses.

Answer 2

Why would You think that the answers You receive would be anything less than sincere?
Those studying the course will receive a grounding in
The Humanities
Philosophy, Modern and Ancient
Anthropology, Social and Cultural
Sociology as it has related to the Family and Women's roles
Political Theory and The History of Social Activism
General Communication Studies, Literature etc.
Women's Health and Gender related awareness courses'
and a few other minor related topics of the "Personal Awareness" variety thrown in for good measure.
All subjects will have a very strong bias towards studying the works of famous, knowledgeable, note worth and influential "Wise Women".
Well do I get a star?

Answer 3

I took a gender studies course in grad school in the mid 90's and wasn't crazy about it. Some of the readings were good, I enjoyed Betty Friedan's "Feminine Mystique" and "Fire with Fire" by Naomi Wolf. Then there was some crap for "men's studies," and I do mean crap. One book called "The Flying Boy," I swear, this guy was talking about how he cried on nearly every single page. There was another that was almost as bad. There was definitely male bashing in that class, that having XX chromosomes was an automatic ticket to being an a$$hole. There was too much airing of problems and grievances; it was a gripe fest. But, I had no problem with reading material on feminist theory. I don't necessarily agree with it, but that's an academic endeavor. I think if women want empowerment they should strive to enter fields like mathematics, engineering, law, etc. That's my 2 cents.

Answer 4

Apparently, issues exclusive or unique to women must be part of the discussions there! Despite the exposure of girls to uncontrolled multi-media in the present era, such courses do have a role in their lives in moulding or shaping their personality!

Answer 5

I took gender studies classes in college (in fact, I was one class short of getting a minor in the subject). For people outside the gender studies department, it was assumed that everyone taking the classes were lesbian man-haters that were being taught by lesbian man-haters. That's just not true at all! There were several guys that took the classes and there were some male professors who taught within the department. I always thought it was interesting to learn about the rise of feminism and how some issues affect women differently. The things I learned about in my gender studies classes taught me knowledge that was applicable in my major and minor (psychology and criminal justice). I'm always quick to try and educate people who have misconceptions on the subject.

Answer 6

I sure hope they are not teaching women to hate men like it is on here. I would imagine it teaches about women who have stood up for all women, because men have treated woman so horrible and awful. It's all the man's fault. Nothing to do with tradition or survival... its about men oppressing women because they are so evil. Women who have demonstrated against, written literature, came up with anthropological theories, and applied science about the fact that men are so awful and mean.

I like how you call people's answers idiotic. It shows how intelligent you are. A lot of people on Y!A seem to have gotten down the intelligence thing... basically you insult other people and call them idiots(this is not completely directed towards you). Intelligence=talking down to people.

Answer 7

For the most part, it is elimination about man's achievements and the illumination of women's even if it has to exaggerated. It also includes theory about society and political aims to propel women above men and children. In all, it is downgrading men while praising women, cute slogans that are meaningless, propaganda, lies, half-truths and innuendo; devoid of actual facts, substituting what is wished to be true for what is.

The point is simply "man = evil, woman better".

Answer 8

I think Women's Studies start with a conclusion; "white men are the cause of all society's ills" and selectively assemble information to support that conclusion. Evidence supporting some other conclusion is quickly discarded, or is explained away using various methods of rationalization.