Women’s, gender, and sexuality studies at Colby offers a diverse and exciting academic program. It also supports a wide range of extracurricular activities that help create a uniquely integrated program of college study and campus life. Students may pursue either a major or a minor in WGSS.
The Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program is a feminist interdisciplinary program designed to acquaint students with scholarship on women, gender, sexuality, and feminist theory. The program mission is to teach students about the ways gender is culturally constructed and intersects with other systems of social difference such as race, ethnicity, class, sexual orientation, and ability.
A WGSS major graduates with a strong grounding in a variety of feminist research methodologies. Core courses train students in interdisciplinary methods and rigorous theoretical reading and writing. Students draw on courses in other programs and departments for training in empirical methods and topical breadth. A WGSS major graduates with a program that is tailored to the student’s developing interests. Our program’s graduates are trained to think independently, courageously, and boldly about their own subjectivities and the world around them.
More than many academic programs at Colby, WGSS enjoys a close relationship with active undergraduate organizations.
The Women’s Group, a feminist/womanist organization, holds discussions and plans events relating to pertinent issues facing women both on campus and in society.
The Bridge is a student-run organization that serves lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgendered people, and straight allies. It provides a forum for discussion and benefits the Colby and Waterville/Central Maine communities by promoting an understanding of Queer issues.
