Women's Studies in the Academy

Education is rarely a neutral endeavor and this project aims to showcase an example of how larger forces can shape the academy through the case of Women's Studies in American higher education. Women's Studies was constantly challenged and its legitimacy was questioned from its beginning. Women’s Studies was first taught in colleges and universities in the United States in the 1960s. Today over 300 colleges and universities in the United States offer Women's Studies in undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees.

Cornell University was one of the early pioneer universities that offered Women's Studies as a course. Using Women’s Studies at Cornell University as a case study, this project will explore the significant events that led to the creation of Women's Studies in the 1960s.

Significant events relating to women's issues in the 1960s

Historical Walkthrough Learning Activity

The 1960s was a significant decade for social movements such as the Civil Rights movement, the anti-Vietnam war, the rise of the second-wave feminist movement, and LGBTQ rights. During this time, women's issues also made it to many social discussions, especially gender discrimination, equal pay rights, and women's representation in politics. Below are three significant events which shaped the discourse of women's issues in the 1960s.

Choose one event to explore below.

Learning Activity #1

Click to provide your answers in the Google Form.

Significant events relating to women's issues in the 1960s

The Feminine Mystique was published in 1963

The signing of the Equal Act Pay in 1963

The establishment of the National Organization for Women in 1966

Learning Activity #1

Proceed to The 1969 Feminist Conference at Cornell University.