Gordon in the News: last updated 05/21/2009

Gordon College Offers New Minor in Gender Studies

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 18, 2009

MEDIA CONTACT
Jo Kadlecek
Office of College Communications
978.867.4752

 
WENHAM, MA—Courses on women in politics or the sociology of gender are not new to the Gordon curriculum, but as of now students can combine such courses while working towards Gordon’s newest minor, gender studies.
 
“It started as a grass roots movement,” said Lauren Swayne Barthold, assistant professor of philosophy and gender studies advisor. “The response I’ve had to gender and feminist theory in my classes has been one of great interest. Faculty members were just as excited about it.”
 
The minor explores how concepts of gender shape perceptions, interactions and institutions in ways that are both beneficial and detrimental to various social groups. The core courses for the new minor, totaling 12 credits, include philosophy of women, sociology of gender, and gender studies research seminar. Along with the core courses, students will chose two others (8 credits) from a list of related electives.
 
“Our goal through the study of these courses is to have a Christian perspective leading the way in gender issues,” said Barthold. “As Christians we should be on the cutting edge of thinking through these issues. We shouldn’t be burying our treasures out of fear of getting it wrong.”  
 
Gordon College’s new gender studies minor is one of only a few such programs within Christian colleges across the country. Calvin College in Michigan also offers a minor and Wheaton College in Illinois offers a certificate in gender studies.
 
“The minor teaches critical methods of inquiry and promotes habits of reflection,” said Barthold. “It’s a good complement to several other majors, and is useful in any major to anyone who wants to understand and think about gender.”  
 
For more information visit http://www.gordon.edu/genderstudies.

For other information contact the Gordon College Office of College Communications at 978.867.4752.

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Gordon College is a Christian college of the liberal arts and sciences on Boston's North Shore. The College offers majors in 37 fields and has graduate programs in education and music education. Leading the way in Christian college merit, Gordon is nationally ranked for its excellence in academics and its role in character building. These achievements recognize Gordon as one of the nation's top Christian colleges.


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