The UCLA Women's Studies Undergraduate Program
SCOPE AND OBJECTIVES
The Department of Women's Studies provides an interdisciplinary curriculum that span departments, disciplines, and ideologies. The undergraduate program offers a Bachelor of Arts degree and a minor.
The Department of Women's Studies provide students the opportunity to study the full range of human experience and arrangements of social organization from the perspectives of those whose participation has been traditionally distorted, omitted, neglected, or denied -- women in their racial, class, sexual, national, and cultural diversity. Students develop critical reasoning and analytical skills, research and communication skills, a deep appreciation for complexities of power and asymmetries in gender relations across time, class, and cultures, and conceptual tools for social change. Emphasis on multidisciplinary, multiethnic, and transnational approaches assures a broader exposure to the humanities and social sciences than is commonly available within disciplinary confines. A background in women's studies offers unique contextual validation for today's gender controversies and prepares students for a wide range of career and life choices.
The faculty members who teach women's studies courses come from various College departments and area studies centers, and several professional schools. Many professionals within and outside the University contribute their time, expertise, and enthusiasm. A governance committee composed of the chair, faculty members, and graduate and undergraduate student representatives sets program policies and curricula.
The program promotes development of student leadership by sponsoring student associations and assisting other student groups with extracurricular programming on feminist issues. Research in women's studies is promoted in cooperation with the Center for the Study of Women, the College Student Research Program and similar initiatives offering undergraduate research opportunities. The program encourages students to draw from the broad array of learning environments offered by UCLA, such as participation in Education Abroad, CCAPP, DLAP, academic internships, and community service learning.
ENRICHMENT AND STUDENT INVOLVEMENT
The Program sponsors (or co-sponsors with departments, ethnic studies centers, research centers and other units) a wide variety of guest lectures, colloquia, workshops and networking events. Information on scholarships, internships, feminist issues and organizations is available in the Program office. The Program sponsors a student association for women's studies, called VOICES, through which students find opportunities for social networking, friendship, educational and cultural enrichment and the development of leadership and organizational skills.
WORK, CAREERS AND CONTINUING EDUCATION
A background in Women's Studies offers unique contextual perspectives for today's shifting gender norms in the work place. It prepares students for a wide range of career and life choices, as well as for advanced study. Most students who graduate with the major or the specialization continue their education in graduate or professional study. They go on to careers in public service and private industry, in law, health professions, government and politics, business, teaching, social services and more. A program in Women's Studies in well suited to careers requiring skill in thinking, writing, planning, analyzing and innovating.
UCLA Career Center http://www.career.ucla.edu/
Of course, a Women's Studies background is also excellent preparation for entering a Women's Studies Graduate program! For several handy databases listing institutions offering advanced degrees in Women's Studies, please consult our links page - and of course don't forget to visit our own Graduate Program site!
EDUCATION ABROAD PROGRAM (EAP)
The Program encourages its major and minor students to participate in the University of California's Education Abroad Program. Students are able to take Women's Studies courses and receive UC credit at over two dozen universities in countries such as Korea, Hungary and Brazil. Studying abroad enables students to gain a greater understanding of issues relevant across cultures and societies. Adding an international dimension to students' education also enhances their career opportunities. Explore the options for study through EAP on UCLA's web site or view faculty recommendations of specific opportunities for Women's Studies students on the university-wide EAP site. Some of our Women's Studies students have indeed traveled to the UK, Chile, France, India in the past couple of years.
SCHOLARSHIP AND AWARDS
For more information on available awards, please visit our awards page
Please call the Women's Studies Office at 310-206-8101 or email us if you have questions regarding the Undergraduate Program