Gender, Women's & Sexuality Studies

Gender, Women’s & Sexuality Studies
Meet Our Faculty & Staff
Reproductive Justice Resources
Activist in Residence
Women's & Gender Education Center (WAGE)
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About Us

Gender, Women’s & Sexuality Studies offers students the skills to critically and actively engage with the world. In this interdisciplinary field, you will integrate theory and practice to transform social relations, representations, knowledges, institutions, and policies.

Whether you’re interested in activism, the intersection of gender and race, theory, sexuality, gender and communication, or women in history, we have courses to meet your needs.

Find out more about the value of a GWSS degree.

Learn About Our Program From Our Students

 

Reproductive Justice Resources

Gender, Women’s & Sexuality Studies has created a reproductive resource page.

Topics Include:

  • Dobbs Decision
  • Local Resources for Abortion/Reproductive Health
  • National Resources
  • Local News
  • Understanding Attacks on Bodily Autonomy
  • Reproductive Justice Reading List
  • Get Involved

View Reproductive Justice Resource Page

Spring 2023 Course Announcement

Colorful Abstract Gender Women's and Sexuality Studies

GWSS 101

Jessi Willis, PhD

Spring: M/W/F – 1:00 -2:30pm

5 credits

Satisfies: BACR for Humanities and Arts

This interdisciplinary course is designed to introduce you to the study of women, gender, feminism, and systems of oppression and privilege. We will draw upon a diverse collection of writing, classroom exercises, films, and discussions to better understand women’s experiences (primarily in the U.S.) both empirically and theoretically.

Cropped Pride Heart by Kenal Lewis
Cropped Pride Heart by Kenal Lewis

GWSS 220

Mimi Marinucci, PhD

Spring: Online

5 credits

Satisfies: a BACR for humanities and arts.

This course explores the interdisciplinary scholarship on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender identities and histories, as well as queer and emerging identities.

GWSS 332

Julia Smith, Ph.D.

Spring: M/T/W/Th – 10:00 – 11:50am

5 credits

Cross-listed: ANTR 332.

Pre-requisites: ENGL 201 or equivalent

Satisfies: a university graduation requirement–diversity.

This course examines notions of sex and gender from a cross-cultural perspective. Material covered includes understandings of gender, third genders, human sexuality and the gendered nature of activities in both non-Western and Western societies.

GWSS 339

Judy Rohrer, Ph.D.

Spring: T/Th 9:00am – 11:30am

5 credits

Notes: may be repeated with different topics.
Pre-requisites: GWSS 101.

Do you want to know more about how to “be the change you want to see in the world?”  Now, more than ever, we need to develop knowledge, strategies, and skills as effective change-makers. This course provides an introduction to theories, concepts, and strategies of social justice and community engagement.  We will learn about intersecting systems of oppression, methods for creating change, and transformative visions of a more socially just, equitable, and inclusive society.

Graffiti: Gender: QueerGWSS 420

Mimi Marinucci, Ph.D.

Spring: M 5:00-9:50pm

5 credits

Cross-listed: PHIL 420.

Pre-requisites: any upper division GWSS or PHIL course.

This course examines the emerging field of queer theory. Queer theory questions the stability of various identity categories, suggesting instead that all performances of sex, gender, and sexuality are influenced by cultural, historical and political factors.

GWSS 430

Gloria Baynes

Spring: M/T/W/Th/F 10:00-10:50am

5 credits

Cross-listed: AAST 430

Pre-requisites: ENGL 201.

This course examines historical writings by and about Black women, discussing slavery, lynching, combating prejudices and encouraging racial pride to provide a framework that will deepen understanding of the topic.

GWSS 490

Jessi Willis, PhD

Spring: T/Th 11-1:20pm

5 Credits.

Pre-requisites: declared GWSS major or permission of instructor.

Satisfies: a university graduation requirement–senior capstone.

The advanced student of GWSS consolidates and synthesizes feminist scholarship in the seminar. Working collaboratively, instructor and students draw together scholars and their work in numerous disciplines, relating them and drawing conclusions about the nature of society and feminist reality.

Critical Race Theory GWSS
Image credit:
Stephanie Dalton Cowan
Link to: https://time.com/6192708/critical-race-theory-teachers-racism/

GWSS 396

Judy Rohrer, Ph.D.

Spring: Online, synchronous, late start
Wednesday, May 10th & 17th – 3:30-6:30pm
Friday – May 12th & 19th – 3:30-6:30pm

2 Credits

Critical Race Theory (CRT) has exploded into the news lately with pundits and politicians all fighting about it.  Many of you may be wondering what all the shouting is about.  In this 2-credit on-line short course we explore what is critical – what is important, significant, and analytical – about CRT.  We will also consider how and why CRT is being framed by some as critical in the sense of being dangerous, a crisis point, and extremely detrimental.  No text required.

Looking for classes to take next quarter? Here are the courses offered by GWSS.

If you have any questions, please talk to your advisor or contact our director.

Events

How to be an Effective Anti-Racism Ally

A Workshop that Uses White Women's Experience with Patriarchy as a Bridge for Understanding

Facilitated by Michaela Brown and Liz Moore Thursday, March 9, 12-1:30pm in Monroe Hall 207...

A Logic of Care and Grassroots Claims to Home in Detroit

EWU’s Gender, Women’s & Sexuality Studies and Women’s & Gender Education Center present Dr. Jessi...

2022 Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Counseling and Wellness and the Women’s and Gender Education Center are collaborating to bring Sexual...

Contemporary Issues in Feminist Research – Winter 2022

EWU Gender, Women’s & Sexuality Studies presents for winter 2022 Contemporary Issues in Feminist Research,...

Mindful Mondays

Mindful Mondays Mimi Marinucci, PhD, will facilitate three virtual sessions for EWU faculty and staff....

Activist in Residence 2022

The Gender, Women’s & Sexuality Studies Program and the Women’s and Gender Education Center are...

Contemporary Issues in Feminist Research – Fall 2021

EWU Gender, Women’s & Sexuality Studies presents for fall 2021 Contemporary Issues in Feminist Research,...

Contemporary Issues in Feminist Research: Spring 2021

EWU Gender, Women’s & Sexuality Studies presents for spring 2021 Contemporary Issues in Feminist Research,...

Sexual Assault Awareness Month is Virtual and Physically Distanced in 2021

Sexual Assault Awareness Month Reimagined The WAGE Center team and Counseling and Wellness have reimagined...
Spring Newsletter
Intersectional Responses to COVID-19

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Fragrance-Free Space

News

Commentary by Drs. Almeida and Rohrer published in the Inlander

Dr. Deirdre Almeida and Dr. Judy Rohrer’s commentary, “EWU’s future: Will the new president restore...

EWU’s AA NH/PI Heritage Month Features Works by Margaret Albaugh in WAGE Center

KXLY’s Peter Choi recently reported on the “Hidden in Plain Sight” exhibit.

GWSS and WAGE Center Annual Reports

Here is our collection of Annual Reports from 2018 to 2021.

GWSS Director, Judy Rohrer, PhD explores the troubling history and the troubled future of the Boy Scouts

In the recent article, published in the Journal of Gender Studies, Dr. Rohrer exposes the...

Are we Ready to Emerge from COVID-19 by Judy Rohrer

In this piece, our director, Dr. Judy Rohrer, reminds us “we would do well now...

GWSS Faculty, Students and Staff Win Numerous Awards

We are always proud of all of our faculty, students and staff. This year, we...

“White people: Let’s listen and ‘not turn away'” by Judy Rohrer

Our Gender, Women’s & Sexuality Studies director, Judy Rohrer, PhD encourages white people “to stop,...

Black Lives and Movements Matter: Black History Month Graphic Design Contest Winners

An Innovative Collaboration Gender, Women’s & Sexuality Studies (GWSS) and the Women’s and Gender Education...

Activist in Residence 2021

The Gender, Women’s & Sexuality Studies Program and the Women’s and Gender Education Center are...

Why Study Gender, Women's & Sexuality Studies at Eastern?

Our core values of equity, inclusivity, and justice are embedded in all that we do.

The Value of a GWSS Degree

Check out the stats and resources we have gathered about the value of a degree in GWSS.

Learn More

Get Involved

You'll have the opportunity for feminist analysis, knowledge creation, exercising leadership and participating in activism.

Make a Difference

Build awareness and understanding of difference, power, and privilege.

Excellent Job Opportunities

Our graduates have a great record of finding employment soon after graduation.

Careers in Gender, Women's & Sexuality Studies

Our curriculum prepares students for a wide variety of occupational possibilities:

Advocate

Community Health Promoter

Corporate Communications Coordinator

Human Rights Associate Director

Manager of Donor & Alumni Relations

Our Mission

Gender, Women’s & Sexuality Studies at Eastern Washington University generates opportunities for interdisciplinary feminist analysis and knowledge creation while fostering leadership in intersectional activism.

We achieve our mission by:

  • Building awareness and understanding of difference, power, and privilege.
  • Enhancing the experience and strengthening the qualifications of students as they prepare for careers in a wide range of fields.
  • Supporting interdisciplinary feminist scholarship and creative works among faculty, students, and staff.
  • Collaborating with campus and community partners that are focused on centering lived experiences of those who have been historically marginalized.

Fragrance-Free Space

Thank you for helping us maintain a welcoming and accessible environment for everyone who uses the WAGE Center and Gender, Women’s & Sexuality Studies suite.

Please refrain from wearing scented products while visiting this space as they can cause serious health issues for those with fragrance allergies and/or chemical sensitivities.

Scented products include:

  • perfumes
  • colognes
  • scented lotions
  • clothing washed and/or dried with scented products
  • scented hair products
  • essential oils

We appreciate your cooperation in making your space more accessible. Thank you for your consideration for all members of our community. For more information on why we are becoming fragrance-free, check out the following resources: