Women's and Gender Studies is an interdisciplinary field of academic study that draws on feminist ideas and scholarship to develop historical,
theoretical, and cross-cultural frameworks for the comparative study of women and
gender. Women's Studies examines the category of gender and the subject of women (and
men) in terms of their different and changing roles and experiences throughout history
and across the world.
Since its inception, Women's and Gender Studies has expanded to include gender studies,
men's studies, gay/lesbian studies, third world feminisms, and a greater focus on
the intersection of gender, race, class, ethnicity, nationality, and sexuality among
other identities, subject positions, and systems of oppression. Women's Studies scholarship
and activisim have made many contributions to academic and public discourses and debates
on issues of women and men and their gendered relationships to:
Currently in the United States, there are more than 600 women's studies programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Among the goals of women's and gender studies is to promote greater knowledge of women's experiences, perspectives, and contributions to all aspects of society, including law, business, science, art, philosophy, education, mathematics, technology, politics, economics, history, family, medicine, and religion. Women's studies also promotes a greater inclusion of women and women's contributions to all academic disciplines in order to correct a historical pattern of neglect, under-representation, and trivialization of women.
