Reading the right 'script'
"My course on Women in the Bible got me started thinking about the position of women and the idea of gender roles, how society often assigns us a particular role because of our gender," says a senior woman majoring in math. Male and Female Roles, the first women's studies course most minors take, introduces students to gender stereotypes in society. Students find out that "the scripts men and women are given to play are not generally 'right on.' They are myths, and we don't have to buy into them," says a senior woman majoring in sociology and anthropology. "The different things going on with gender issues seem so subtle, yet are so blatant," says a professor. "Women's studies lets students see what the patterns of general thought are, and then make conscious choices about the extent to which they do or don't want to act out those scripts. But without that knowledge, they act out the scripts not even knowing that it is something they have a choice about." A recent graduate, who came to college with a negative view of feminism, says, "When I took my first women's studies course at Principia I learned just how much gender issues actually do affect my life."

Interdisciplinary in nature
"Women's studies is a common thread that runs through all the subjects I'm studying," says a junior man majoring in sociology and education. "It combines politics, economics, history, science, and literature," adds a professor. "It critiques those disciplines, then requires thought to be flexible, but also disciplined in making connections." A senior women's studies minor points out, "When you take a history or a political science course, a lot of the time the whole idea is not necessarily represented. . . . The women's voice is not heard. The women's studies classes helped me to look for that voice, to ask questions to help bring out that voice."

A sampling of courses
In Gender and International Relations, a senior woman with a special studies major in sustainable international development says, "I saw how adding the study of women to my field opened up a lot of new doors to a fuller understanding of our world." After taking Literature by Women: 1875-1975, one women's studies minor said, "I was amazed when I opened our book, the Anthology of World Literature by Women, and saw how many women writers there are that I hadn't even heard of! I connected so well with the writing of the women we read that I began for the first time to develop my own style." A professor adds, "Students who do not read women's words cannot develop a respect for women's ideas."

Correcting a common misperception
"At first, both men and women on campus are afraid the classes are just for ripping on men," says a sophomore woman. "But men who take the classes have been surprised to find empowerment for themselves, as well as for women." A senior environmental science major says, "Being a women's studies minor and a man does set you apart in some ways. There's perhaps a higher personal standard and an obligation to help other men figure things out." A senior woman majoring in sociology and anthropology says, "The women's studies program at Principia identifies the injustices in society. But the faculty take it one step further and say, 'You know this is how it is, but . . .' and introduce a healing aspect to it. It doesn't stop with the anger. It seems to take it a step further." A women's studies professor confirms that "while the questions feminist scholars are asking in every field have proved explosive, and our classes do study mainstream academic feminist theorists and theories, our assessment is always through the lens of healing."

Opens thought and a whole new world
"You don't go into it and come out the other side the same person. It will totally challenge anything you have ever thought about how you relate to things. It's an eye-opening minor," says a recent graduate. "It is some of the most intellectually enlightening and exciting material that students are working with," says a women's studies professor. "They come out at the end of any given course with tremendously increased self-knowledge. Much greater knowledge of how they fit into both their personal and professional relationships, and even at the policy level in looking at what's going on in the world." One recent graduate was challenged in "learning how to think, learning how to look at problems and approach them from so many different angles." But, he adds, "I like to think it has made me more open and understanding to different points of view, especially to women, knowing the different issues that women deal with." Another male women's studies minor, working towards an education degree, says, "One thing I've learned is about identity; women's studies helps me question who I am and why I do things. It helps me question the things I inherently believe in and then work to develop ways to change those beliefs. It also helps me to understand dynamics that exist in my relationships with other people, and in relationships I see between others. . . . It widens my vision on a lot of things."

"Preparation for life"
"It can be a difficult topic to study because you are learning about some of the social forces that have shaped your life," says a senior with a second minor in computer science, "and they may not be the forces you want shaping your life." A recent graduate says, "The women's studies minor is very emotionally intensive. It takes all your time, because you are thinking about it constantly once you begin to take the classes. . . . It's like a whole new language." Another junior points out, "There are a lot of contradictions that, as a man, I bump up against. It is definitely challenging facing those, because you can't ignore them. . . . Mentally and emotionally the women's studies minor is demanding. But it's also very rewarding." He continues, "It's helped me develop an analytical and critical mind. I feel empowered to go out and to take on challenges, seeing issues for what they are and seeing through illusions. . . . It helps me to understand people; it helps me to understand myself. I can't imagine anything other than Christian Science as being a better preparation for life."