Women's Studies in US Higher Education today

How Women's Studies changed the academy?

Women's Studies was directly shaped by social movements and activism work that calls for reforms on women's issues. It grew alongside social movements of the 1960s, and connected activism work with the academy. At the same time, female students and faculty in the 1960s were combating issues of discrimination in the academy. The academy was also seeking a change as more female students attended the university and realized that the curriculum was not relevant to them. Hence, students began demanding courses that would have more impact on their lives.

Female students wanted to learn more on how to address issues such as domestic violence against women, the rights of children, and gender discrimination at work. Women's Studies also changed how knowledge was created in the university. It welcomed thoughts and opinions outside the academy, valued contributions from students, and challenged sexism in the university.

However, Women's Studies faced a lot of backlash in the academy as people were skeptical if the discipline is rigorous enough to be a discipline on its own. Today Women's Studies are taught in most American universities as independent classes, or awarded in full degrees.

Women's Studies at Cornell University Today

Today Women's Studies at Cornell University is known as Cornell Women & Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. Click on the PDF to view the evolution of the program since its inception.

Source: https://fgss.cornell.edu/sites/fgss/files/TIMELINEFGSS.jpeg

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