The Program in the Study of Women and Gender, which marked its 20th anniversary last year, is looking to expand its reach into the politics and economics departments and add a Queer Studies component, said the program's acting director, history professor Christine Stansell '71.
Typically known for its strength in the pure humanities, the program is part of a larger trend in many gender studies programs to reassert relevance and modify their curricula.
"Women's studies is at the very heart of so many disciplines," Stansell said. "For me, what's most exciting about this is that feminism is integrated into world politics, domestically and abroad."
The program is shifting its focus towards politics by commissioning Wilson School and politics department faculty to teach on gender and development in the Middle East and the overlap between feminism and global politics, she said.
"The position of women worldwide coincides with the human rights agenda," Stansell said. "Students need to think about questions of gender to become educated citizens of the world."
Founded in 1982, the program has 15 associated faculty members, the majority of which are from the English and history departments.
"Our strength has historically been in history and the humanities," program manager Barbara Gershen said.
Though the program is small — awarding only 10 to 12 certificates in an average year — it is looking to expand.
Students are "wanting and demanding" more cross-listed courses in the Wilson School and Politics, Gershen added.
Cate Reid '04 is a Wilson School major working with lecturer Karen McGuinness toward a certificate in gender studies. Her thesis will focus on microfinance and female empowerment, a topic that arose from her Wilson School Task Force.
"I wish there were a broader range of professors," she said. "But once you're in the department, it's easy to contest courses [to satisfy program requirements]."
Reid explained that even though the program is flexible, it is still difficult to obtain a certificate in gender studies if a student is majoring in the sciences, for example, or another unrelated field.
There are no courses listed as covering the Queer Studies component now. Under her tenure, Stansell has been in negotiation with an independent nonprofit group called Fund for Reunions to endow a salary for a professor to come teach queer studies at Princeton.
The push towards including a Queer Studies curriculum is part of a larger trend across many universities.
At Stanford University, for example, where students can concentrate in feminist studies or receive a minor certificate, administrators articulated the demand for Queer Studies.
"We are trying to incorporate the transgender voice with the rise of Queer Studies. There are more and more people interested in that," said Nikhila Pai, program manager for Stanford's feminist studies department.
Read More
Economics professor Kate Ho passes away after long battle with cancer
Devon RudolphProfessor Kate Ho made seminal contributions to the economics of modeling competition in the healthcare sector and taught well-loved courses in industrial organization.
Professor Kate Ho made seminal contributions to the economics of modeling competition in the healthcare sector and taught well-loved courses in industrial organization.
Pedestrian left in critical condition after traffic collision on Nassau Street
Luke GrippoThe pedestrian was struck by a westbound 2015 Ford Explorer around 11:32 p.m. The driver was identified in the press release as a 39-year-old Princeton resident who cooperated with officers upon their arrival.
The pedestrian was struck by a westbound 2015 Ford Explorer around 11:32 p.m. The driver was identified in the press release as a 39-year-old Princeton resident who cooperated with officers upon their arrival.
Senior class jacket abruptly changed following accusations of AI design
Vitus LarrieuFor more than a century, Princeton seniors have donned “beer jackets” to protect their clothes during Reunions and commencement celebrations, typically with elaborate designs chosen by a class-wide contest. Now, with a selection process marred by accusations of generative AI use, the Class of 2026 may have written its own spot in Princeton history.
For more than a century, Princeton seniors have donned “beer jackets” to protect their clothes during Reunions and commencement celebrations, typically with elaborate designs chosen by a class-wide contest. Now, with a selection process marred by accusations of generative AI use, the Class of 2026 may have written its own spot in Princeton history.