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Women's Studies

Women's Studies

Since the fall of 1997, Kingsborough has offered a concentration in Women's Studies. Students can meet their requirements and obtain a concentration in Women's Studies at the same time. No extra courses are required.

Students must take HIS 66, an interdisciplinary course on Women in the Social Sciences. In addition, they must take nine more credits in Women's Studies courses from three of four remaining groups.

What are Women's Studies courses?
Were you taught about women's achievements as scientists, composers, painters, poets, business owners, political leaders, film directors, photographers, physicians, inventors, etc? Did you learn in biology that the ovum contributes more to fertilization than the sperm? In history that rape is common in war except when women are part of the fighting troops? In economics that "of the 1.3 billion people living in poverty world-wide, 70% are female"? In sociology that about 50% of American female murder victims are killed by husbands or boyfriends? In political science that because international political relations depend on roles men and women are taught to play, women have the power to change how global politics work?
Most courses are taught as if knowledge consists of answers to questions men have asked about male experience. Women's Studies courses expand the concept of knowledge to include answers to questions based on women's experience. Since women's experiences vary, questions arising from differences such as race, ethnicity, religion, and class are also raised.

What Women's Studies courses does KCC offer?
Kingsborough currently offers Women's Studies courses in:

  • Art History
  • American History
  • Literature
  • Psychology
  • Film Genre
  • Anthropology
  • Sociology
  • Business
  • Health
  • Biology

American Women In The Performing Arts In addition, KCC offers sections of basic course in English, Mass Media, Music, Sociology, and Student Development that focus on women's issues.

What degrees are offered in Women's Studies?
Students can major in Women's Studies at several CUNY colleges including Brooklyn, Queens, Hunter, and The College of Staten Island. Kingsborough has a formal Articulation Agreement with Hunter for students wishing to transfer and major in women's studies.
In addition, over sixty colleges statewide and over six hundred colleges nationwide offer baccalaureate degrees in Women's Studies.
Degrees at the masters and doctorate levels are also offered. The CUNY Graduate School offers a certificate in conjunction with a masters or doctorate.

What are the advantages of taking Women's Studies courses?
Knowing what Women's Studies courses teach relates to jobs. It is expected that within the next twenty years, women and ethnic minorities will become the majority of the American workforce. Understanding the issues of economics, race, and gender will be key for both employers and employees.
Having a background in Women's Studies will be particularly helpful in careers in teaching, health, law, journalism, business, social work, law enforcement, personnel, politics, art, film, television, and scientific research.
Courses also help female and male students to understand gender issues in relationships, families, and social life.

Do KCC students have a voice in the Women's Studies Program?
Kingsborough has a Women's Studies Club, and representatives from that Club are invited to confer with the Co-Directors of the Program and the Advisory Committee about academic concerns.
Each year a Women's Studies student receives an award for $200 for academic excellence.
Q: Do students have to take the concentration to take Women's Studies courses?
A: No. Any student may take Women's Studies courses.
Q: How do students officially take the concentration?
A: Students come to F115 between 10:00a.m. and 3:00p.m. Monday through Thursday and sign up.

call (718)368-4619 or fax (718)368-4629.

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