For those asking and answering in GWS?

Question

have you ever taken any serious courses in Gender and Women's studies on the university level? or did you just do independent study? Basically, how and when did you get interested in the topic?

Answer 1

Gender studies major, about to finish my BA, involved in several feminist groups, have been reading feminist literature since I was 14.

Answer 2

No formal training here, but a great deal of independent study, and a feminist upbringing.  I was raised in a religion that strongly advocated equal rights, and my father was and is profoundly dedicated to equality.

Answer 3

In college I took a women in mass media class and a women as artists class.  But my interest in feminism goes back to the 1st grade, when our teacher asked for volunteers who could run really fast.  I raised my hand, and was told that I couldn't run really fast because I'm a girl, and girls can't run really fast.  Thanks Mrs. Smoller of PS 81, I hope you're reading.  You changed my life.

Answer 4

No, actually I like coming here to voice my opinion on certain moral issues pertaining to this subject.

I have no formal education on women's studies, but anyone with common sense can see what is right and wrong, and voice an opinion on it.

Answer 5

I took two women studies classes.  One was the Psychology of women and the other was a history class that talked about women in Europe.  I got interested because I didn't want to have such a negative view about women.  I want to understand what women think and how women feel :).

Answer 6

I've always had quite strong opinions on modern gender issues, but I became interested in the political side through studying feminist literature as part of an English course. I like to do my own research and reading from different sources, to gain a more balanced view than a Women's Studies course would offer. Coming to GWS is part of that.

Answer 7

I took Women's Studies in college because I was concerned with women's issues ( I got an A+). As my instructor said, "I'm here to work my way out of a job." In other words, she would've liked for there to have been no need for Women's Studies per se.

Answer 8

I studied political science and public administration, so there were no formal women's studies classes.  We touched on the topics a good bit.. but I have no formal training in the area.  Nor do I claim to.

I only give my opinion..

Answer 9

I haven't taken any courses. I like to study and analyze each subject on my own and with objectivity. I think many of those courses may have bias in it and probably wouldn't be my comfort zone. I basically got interested in it due to Susan B. Anthony and her struggle. This was in high school and from then on, I've used the internet to learn everything I can about women's issues and rights.

Answer 10

I did independent study. I considered taking a Women's and Gender Studies course (they flipped the words around at my university), but I have no room for it in my schedule.

Answer 11

I honestly don't think any of the people who post in here has taken a formal Women's Studies college course. Including myself. But I'm thinking about taking one coming up in July so I can speak educated on the things that I do learn.

Most people only post and give answers based on life experience, or disgruntled points of view. Some have lost love, feel as though they've been discriminated against, or just want to be heard. There may be a hand full of frequents who've actually took a class or just simply sat down with a woman (or feminist as they claim us all to be) to open up a line of communications for a better understanding of women in general.  But why do that when it's easier to cast us all into one generic mod. Its less work getting to know people, and it keeps some men (and some women) from realizing that they may be wrong in their theories.

Answer 12

I haven't done a course in anything, but I read a lot of books, real books, and I have my own opinions.  I don't consider it necessary to have a university degree in anything in order to express an opinion on it.

Answer 13

i've always been intrested in the topic but i took my first courses in college... i took:

Social history of women and Women in film and literature

I've also read a lot of books and watched a lot of different movies and television shows on the subject.  My life changed forever when i read "Where the Girls are: growing up female with the mass media" by Susan J. Douglas. as well as "The Femine Mystique" by Betty Fredian.

Answer 14

Yes during my time at the university I took interest in it because I considered myself a feminist and thought it was on the lines of the civil rights movement and antinazism, boi was I wrong.

Answer 15

Nope.  We didn't even have such classes at the school where I did my first two degrees -- it's not a big thing at science/engineering schools for some odd reason.  (sarcasm)  We *might* have some actual classes at my current school since there are actually women here, but probably not at a grad level that I could easily take if I wanted to.

Am I interested in the topic?  It's really more like I'm interested in what people say in this category.  It's just so completely foreign to the world I live in that I'm sometimes fascinated.

Answer 16

I took a course called "Women in Sport". It was great- and it definitely went in depth about the women's lib movement, and how I should be appreciative that I'm a Title 9 baby.

Answer 17

I have never been educated formally on the topics presented in GWS.  I just find this the most interesting area of YA.  I've learned alot and I love a good debate!

Answer 18

Yes. I did two undergrad gender modules. I used to support feminism until I studied it and found out what it was really about.

Edit

If you have studied feminism and still think its a movement dedicated to equality, then its simply that you firmly want to believe in it despite knowing the truth about it, or perhaps you have been flat-out brainwashed. In fact anyone with even a bit of common sense can see straight through it.

Edit

Maybe one day one of you feminists will actually read this paper on domestic violence? http://www.law.fsu.edu/journals/lawrevie...

Nah...

Maybe try something easy: this news report about the spread of gender equality to Mexico: http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnou...

“Mexican men who display extreme jealousy or avoid s*x with their wives could be tried in court and punished under a new law”...

Nah, you feminists will never read this stuff. You aren't interested in education - you're only interested in pushing your  half-baked prejudice onto the rest of the world.