I earned my graduate certificate in Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies at the University of Oregon, where I did coursework on lesbian cultures, feminist pedagogy, and feminist and queer theory, and it is because of that program that I can create this newsletter.
Thank you for your scholarship and for your work! I took a "Women Writers" class at the University of South Carolina as an undergraduate in the Spring of 1980, under Professor Paula Feldman, perhaps one of the first such classes offered (I think I've got the time line right!). I still have my student copy of Virginia Woolf's "A Room of One's Own." I re-read it recently and my daughter, not much older than I was then, found it on the kitchen counter. "Mom," she said, "can I read it?" Are you kidding? Of course! My college book in my daughter's hands -- glad I took that course. Glad I kept the book. Glad there are still Women's studies programs out there and I hope that they will continue to grow, despite these threatened barriers.
Oh I love that story! This is why I make my students print out their papers and take notes by hand in a notebook… they learn better but also I love the idea of them finding it again later :).
Dr. Taylor's WGST course completely changed the way I approached my education. I am so grateful for her instruction and the freedom to study such important topics with my classmates.
Among other things, we’re having to change the title DEI to “Access and Engagement,” we have a “Divisive Concepts” law that basically allows students to file suit if we make them feel ‘uncomfortable’ in discussions off race, gender, CRT, &tc, and I’m sure that the election results will only embolden the Rs in the TN legislature.
I got my minor (only option) in Women's Studies at Clemson in 2004.
They have a really active program of late!
That's good to hear!
SO happy you are helming WGST here at PC! It continues to be essential work. Thank you!!!!!
Thank you for your scholarship and for your work! I took a "Women Writers" class at the University of South Carolina as an undergraduate in the Spring of 1980, under Professor Paula Feldman, perhaps one of the first such classes offered (I think I've got the time line right!). I still have my student copy of Virginia Woolf's "A Room of One's Own." I re-read it recently and my daughter, not much older than I was then, found it on the kitchen counter. "Mom," she said, "can I read it?" Are you kidding? Of course! My college book in my daughter's hands -- glad I took that course. Glad I kept the book. Glad there are still Women's studies programs out there and I hope that they will continue to grow, despite these threatened barriers.
Oh I love that story! This is why I make my students print out their papers and take notes by hand in a notebook… they learn better but also I love the idea of them finding it again later :).
My denomination!
PCUSA ftw!
Yes!!!
Go Ducks!
Dr. Taylor's WGST course completely changed the way I approached my education. I am so grateful for her instruction and the freedom to study such important topics with my classmates.
Excellent article. Thank you so much for writing.
Solidarity.
And, I didn't realize you were a fellow Duck! :) :)
I didn’t, either!
Solidarity, my friend. I just hung up a Zoom call with two colleagues in Indiana, telling me really frightening tales of what's happening there.
They’re creating such hostile environments for students and faculty alike.
Solidarity, from a philosophy faculty the University of Tennessee, where our own WGS program struggles as well.
How has state legislation affected y'all? I've followed a little bit.
Among other things, we’re having to change the title DEI to “Access and Engagement,” we have a “Divisive Concepts” law that basically allows students to file suit if we make them feel ‘uncomfortable’ in discussions off race, gender, CRT, &tc, and I’m sure that the election results will only embolden the Rs in the TN legislature.
Hard to attract students with those headwinds.
Ugh. I’m sure they will be even more emboldened not having to worry about federal oversight.
Our WGS program is flying under the radar, so far, but it is also struggling to attract students.
https://federicosotodelalba.substack.com/p/in-essence-at-its-core-what-makes?r=4up0lp
Holy shit. This is frightening