What is Women's and Gender Studies?

First established in the 1980s, WGS at UMKC is one of 650 such programs in the United States. WGS is both an inter- and multi-disciplinary academic program devoted to the critical analysis of how gender, race, class, ethnicity, and sexuality contribute to the diversity of women's and men's experiences. The program's interdisciplinary nature and cross-cultural academic training broadens students' understanding of gender and the experiences of women and men, girls and boys, in all cultures and societies. WGS focuses on issues relating to gender in the Social Sciences, the Humanities, Law, Medicine, and Nursing. By placing gender at the center of scholarly inquiry, we not only examine the assumptions, methods, insights, and claims of the traditional academic curriculum but broaden it through our research interests, publications, and courses to add cutting edge feminist research, scholarship, and activism.

WGS courses are offered by numerous departments in UMKC's College of Arts and Sciences, as well as in the Schools of Law, Medicine, and Nursing. A full list of courses is available every semester from the WGS office and is also printed under "Special Courses" in the semester schedule.

Currently, the WGS Program offers a Minor in Women's and Gender Studies. Very soon, this will expand to include several certificates for students (both undergraduate and graduate) as well as for community members. Let us know if you are interested in a Major in Gender Studies - we're working on it!

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