Women’s and Gender Studies (WGS)

The Program in Women’s and Gender Studies is an academic program that bridges existing disciplines; that is based in sound, scholarly theory; and that is quintessentially interdisciplinary. The goal is to expand the areas of traditional focus, thereby providing students with a fresh perspective. Students from all majors are exposed to literature of gender and feminism and are prepared to return to their major courses of study ready to contribute differently. Students gain a new perspective into their various disciplines of study and a new view of their world, while acquiring knowledge of a flourishing area of scholarship.

A minor in Women’s and Gender Studies is available. While only certain regular courses are listed below as meeting the requirements of the minor, many other courses across the curriculum study women within the context of the various disciplines and in interdisciplinary ways. Students may petition the program committee to include other relevant courses in the program requirements.

Program Head: Robin Le Blanc

Core Faculty

First date is the year in which the faculty member began service as regular faculty at the University. Second date is the year of appointment to the present rank.

N. Melina Bell, Ph.D.—(2005)-2011
Associate Professor of Philosophy
Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania

Alexandra R. Brown, Ph.D.—(1987)-2001
Fletcher Otey Thomas Professor of Bible
Ph.D., Columbia University

Jenefer M. Davies, M.F.S., M.A.L.S.—(2006)-2014
Associate Professor of Dance
M.F.A., George Washington University
M.A.L.S., Hollins University

Megan Fulcher, Ph.D.—(2004)-2012
Associate Professor of Psychology
Ph.D., University of Virginia

Genelle C. Gertz, Ph.D.—(2003)-2010
Associate Professor of English
Ph.D., Princeton University

Sascha L. Goluboff, Ph.D.—(1999)-2013
Professor of Cultural Anthropology
Ph.D., University of Illinois

Robin Le Blanc, Ph.D.—(1998)-2008
Professor of Politics
Ph.D., University of Oklahoma

Ellen C. Mayock, Ph.D.—(1997)-2008
Ernest Williams II Professor of Romance Languages
Ph.D., University of Texas

Deborah Miranda, Ph.D.—(2004)-2013
John Lucian Smith Jr. Term Professor of English
Ph.D., University of Washington

David Robert Novack, Ph.D.—(1976)-1988
Professor of Sociology
Ph.D., New York University

Domnica V. Radulescu, Ph.D.—(1992)-2003
Edwin A. Morris Professor of Romance Languages
Ph.D., University of Chicago

Roberta H. Senechal, Ph.D.—(1988)-2007
Professor of History
Ph.D., University of Virginia

Florentien Verhage, Ph.D.—(2008)-2008
Assistant Professor of Philosophy
Ph.D., McGill University

Lesley M. Wheeler, Ph.D.—(1994)-2006
Henry S. Fox Professor of English
Ph.D., Princeton University

Julie A. Woodzicka, Ph.D.—(2000)-2012
Abigail Grigsby Urquahrt ‘11 Term Professor of Psychology
Ph.D., Boston College

Women’s and Gender Studies Courses

Courses relevant to the Program in Women’s and Gender Studies are as follows:

The following courses may also meet program requirements when the topic is appropriate: