Why Pursue a Degree in Gender and Women’s Studies?
The Gender and Women’s Studies Program (GWSP) at UTRGV enables you to examine critically the intersection of gender with race, ethnicity, class, age, and sexualities. It will make you aware of how the construction of gender and sexualities relate to the creation of social hierarchies. As you will see from this list—which is by no means exhaustive—this knowledge and awareness is important beyond your college career.
Health Care
So you want to work in health care? Students pursuing careers in medicine and caregiving will benefit from a GWSP minor/certificate by developing a deeper understanding of health care needs for people with diverse gender and sexual identities. GWSP courses will equip you with an array of cultural competencies designed to help health care professionals provide patients and clients with informed, personalized services.
Law and Criminal Justice
So you want to be in law enforcement? A GWSP minor/certificate uniquely prepares aspiring officers of the law to maneuver the situational complexities of everyday interactions related to gender and sexuality. Sensitivity to inclusivity and knowledge of structural inequalities within the law and the broader justice system, especially with regard to gender and LBGTQ+ issues, better qualifies you to interact with complicated, yet commonplace, social situations.
Education
So you want to be a teacher? It is vital that pre-K as well as primary and secondary teachers and educators are cognizant of how gender biases, stereotypes, and prejudices affect their pedagogy in order to create more inclusive and equitable learning environments. The GWSP minor/certificate enables educators to understand the diverse spectrum of gender expressions and sexualities and respond to the needs and experiences of children and young adults, instilling awareness and acceptance.
Business
So you want to work in business? Students who pursue a GWSP minor/certificate will possess the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully navigate increasingly complex workplace environments. By learning how to communicate with a knowledge of and sensitivity to issues of gender and sexuality, you will be better prepared to meet the needs of diverse consumers and clientele.
Social Work
So you want to be a social work professional? Expertise in the field of gender, women’s, and sexuality studies enables you to recognize social hierarchies and oppression that permeate our daily lives and shape institutions active in the fields of child care and other social support programs. The GWSP minor/certificate helps you to identify and eliminate barriers to equality that challenge your clients.
Advertising and PR
So you want to be in advertising and public relations? Serving as a bridge between your clients and the public, you will need to have a comprehensive awareness of the social world and the complex relationships that structure it. A GWSP minor/certificate will empower you with the knowledge and sensitivity about gender and sexuality necessary to reach and appeal to a diverse audience and sophisticated consumers.
Journalism
So you want to be a journalist? As you examine and report on world events, a GWSP minor/certificate will provide you with wide-ranging knowledge to communicate the nuances of gender diversity and inclusivity in broad contexts. In order to serve as cultural interpreters across media platforms, it is critical that you cultivate a depth of understanding and sensitivity to issues of gender, sexuality, and other categories of difference.