What Students are Saying
"I like to think that having WMS programs in colleges and maybe even one day in high schools, will help to demystify the false accusations that have been made regarding the feminist movement and to encourage active participation in and outside of the classroom. The only way for social change to occur is to have the participation needed to make the difference."
- Colleen Hayes-Costello
"You learn a lot in college but I think the course that had the greatest influence on my real life was 'Psychology of Women'."
- Tim Tierney
"Why Women's Studies Now. Because Bush is trying to reverse Roe v Wade. Because women still make 76 cents for every man's dollar. Because women still work full-time during the day to come home and work full-time at night. Because women's bodies are testing grounds for political advancements. Because women around the world and right here at home undergo genital mutilation so as not to enjoy sexual intercourse. Because women are passed over for positions just because of their sex. Because motherhood is not considered a career choice. Because "we the people" only protects "we the white men." Because rape happens. Because men just can't control themselves. Because society does't recognize that love comes in all forms and is not defined by genitalia. Because a women has yet to be president. Because Viagra is covered by health insurance and birth control is not. Because women are harassed everyday and forced by society to believe they are subject to men and their harassment. Because women are forced into stereotypes of commercialism. Because the glass ceiling is made from concrete. Because eating disorders are fine as long as you don't get fat. Because women's sports is seen as play time instead of professionals. For all these reasons the world needs women's studies to educate the society about what the world is truly about, and what the world could be like. Women's studies has opened my mind, and the world to me and many others with the hope for a better future for tomorrow's women."
- Sarah Wilbur
"Some courses teach you about their subject matter. Women's Studies courses teach you about life."
- Samantha De Muro
Student Responses to WMS 150
“What I loved the most about this course is that it focused on a broad amount of different groups, not just women.”
“Now that I know the facts, I realize that I do not have to be a bra burning naturalist to truly believe in the issues that actually o involve me, as an individual.”
“A major part of this course which helps the information to really stay with you is the great shock value that comes with it.”
“Yes, you will have to write a few papers. The good news is these papers aren’t your typical ten-page research papers complete with footnotes and an annotated bibliography.”
“One of the first things we were taught was that feminists do not hate men. We read articles of women who love men, and were hardcore feminists.”
“I love how comfortable that lass environment was and how comfortable Jody make her students feel.”
“I like the fact that we didn’t just sit and read out of a textbook, and rather everyone shared their opinions.”
“I learned so much in this class, and it taught me how to be a better person, and a better woman.”
“My only regret is that I was not told of this course any earlier in my college career.”
“It is not only a class of awareness, but a social opportunity to help you grow on a personal level.”
"This class changed me in a way few things in my life have. I lost count long ago of how many times I said "Oh," out loud in a shocked, awed, or suddenly understanding tone. I feel like blinders I didn't even know I had were lifted."
- Katie
"I know when I first heard "Women's Studies" all I could think about is that males are not allowed to take it and it's just a semester of male bashing. The truth of the matter is everything but that - there are many things in this class that helped me out with many aspects of my life... this semester alone has taught me how to actually get out and do something, how to make change, and how I can make the world a better place."
- Eric G.
"I love telling people about this class, especially boys. I tell them that no, you do not get to learn about women, you learn much more. You learn about anything that is an "other" an "-ism," or an issue that relates to women."
- Kristin
"I have come to learn that feminism is all about equal rights. It's not about singling out each sex and driving them further apart... I didn't think I would be able to relate Women's Studies to so many parts of my life... women's issues are related to racism, stereotyping, discrimination, cultural appropriation, and many other social uncertainty... Today, because of this class, I have become proud of my identity and who I am. Nowadays, I don't allow people to disrespect who I am."
- Mike
"This semester has been a real turning point in the way I view the world around me and myself... this semester has also been really good for my writing skills. Your high standards for the writing we did and the way you guided us while we worked on our papers will, I'm sure, prove invaluable to me in the future."
- Colleen
"I had no idea by the end of this class I would be a new, changed person. Not just from the new information and knowledge I had learned, but also, from all the wonderful discussions, I was able to discover thoughts and feelings about the issues and myself that I've never felt."
- Eric B.
Responses to WMS 351
“It is a class that takes hard work, and dedication, but most importantly the willingness to look deep inside yourself and analyze the world around you.”
“This turned into one of those classes where you tell your friends ‘you have to take it.’”
“When it comes to my life I think I have a deeper passion for change. I honestly want to make a difference in the way we live.”
“My learning experience certainly went much deeper than writing and reading. As a thinker, I was able to take the time to step out of the box more on my own analyses.”
“…this class has taught me to think WAY outside the box.”
