Why Study Women, Gender, and Sexuality at K?
Learn about how gender and sexuality are socially constructed and how identity affects individuals’ lived experiences.
As a women, gender, and sexuality [WGS] student, you will explore the modern and historical issues that have affected women and queer, LGBTQ+ individuals and how these folks have responded to, rebelled against and internalized society’s assumptions. You will further come to understand how gender and sexuality intersect with other identities, such as race, nationality, religion, class, and ability. By the time you graduate, you will have a strong foundation in how the human experience is shaped by identity.
As gender and sexuality intertwine with all fields of study, the department takes an interdisciplinary approach to learning. You will be exposed to multiple perspectives and methodologies by taking courses in political science, psychology, anthropology and sociology, religion, history, and art, as well as WGS. These classes—such as Feminist Political Theories; Queer Aesthetics; and Princesses, Demonesses, and Warriors—will teach you how to critically assess how identity is constructed, enacted, and changed across time and place.
You are also encouraged to directly apply your WGS knowledge outside of the classroom through relevant internships on- and off-campus: domestic and sexual assault programs, women’s health agencies, feminist activist organizations, research libraries on women, etc.
The analytical thinking, research ability, and communication skills you will develop as a WGS student will prepare you for a variety of careers, with alumni having gone on to be social workers, counselors, policymakers, lawyers, historians, and archivists.
What can you do with a women, gender, and sexuality degree?
Below are some of the careers, employers, and graduate schools of our WGS alumni.
Careers
- Social Worker
- Program Manager
- Attorney
- Counselor/Therapist
Employers
- Detroit Institute of Arts
- AmeriCorps
- The Obama Foundation
Graduate Schools
- University of Michigan
- University of Southern California
- DePaul University
- University of Minnesota
Meet the Current Departmental Student Advisor
Ellie Pollard (she/her)
Majors: Women, Gender, & Sexuality and Religion
Minor: Political Science
Concentration: Environmental Studies
Study Abroad: Jordan
Best Adjective to Describe You: Ambitious
What is the best thing about being part of this department?
I love the classroom culture. In every class I have felt like my voice was always respected and heard.
What drew you to the department?
I was drawn to WGS because I knew that my life had always been impacted by the systems that center WGS scholarship like racism, sexism, and classism, but I never knew how to articulate what that meant and the deep ways it affected myself, my family, and my community as a whole. I also wanted to be able to have a deeper understanding of the complexities of living in an inherently racist, sexist, colonial, and capitalist world and find ways, no matter how small, to grow and develop outside of it.
What is your favorite thing about K?
The small classroom environment! I love being able to actually get to know my peers and professors.
What is your Senior Integrated Project (SIP)?
My SIP is related to my experience studying abroad in Amman, Jordan, and is exploring the gender presentations in music and how they relate to Muslim religious identity and the impact of Islam in Jordan.
What are your career aspirations/next steps after K?
I’m still not 100% sure because like I said, I have SO many interests, but as of right now, I’d like to go into the FBI or become a diplomatic ambassador. My main goal is being able to travel as much as possible!