Women’s and Ethnic Studies (WEST)

Faculty

Professors: Abby Ferber and Andrea Herrera (Director)
Assistant Professors: Janice Gould, Aditi Mitra, Stephany Spaulding, and Carole Woodall
Senior Instructor: Dena Samuels
Instructor: Abeer Ibrahim

Mission Statement

Our mission is to think critically about intersections of race, class, gender, sexuality, nationality and other hierarchies; to understand history, culture and society from a range of perspectives, including those emanating from communities whose stories and lives have been marginalized; and to develop consciousness about multi-ethnic and gender issue locally, domestically, globally and transnationally. Ultimately, our vision is to develop skills to shape our collective future in ways that foster diversity and equity.

The Women’s and Ethnic Studies Program (WEST) is an interdisciplinary course of study that includes a major and a minor . Both the major and minor center on the experiences and cultural expressions of women and/or racial and ethnic groups in the United States and globally. Our theoretical framework focuses on how race/ethnicity, gender, class, nationality, sexuality and other hierarchies influence people’s life chances and alliances. The WEST Program emphasizes analytical sophistication, cross-disciplinary thinking, creative and innovative teaching,and community engagement. WEST promotes curricular and faculty development and sponsors a variety of cultural programming in collaboration with the Multicultural Office for Student Access, Inclusiveness, and Community (MOSAIC), and the Matrix Center for the Advancement of Social Equity and Inclusion. By teaching and modeling ways to work effectively with people from various socioeconomic classes, genders, racial/ethnic, religious, sexual, and national backgrounds, the degree prepares students for work in a range of fields (health care, social justice work, global education, creative and performing arts, education, etc.) and advanced masters and doctoral work in several disciplines.