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The Daily OrangeCollege of Arts & Sciences | Women's studies title change follows trends: Gender added to name for role equality
By Candace Tracy
Posted: 2/3/08, 11:25 PM EST Section: News
Women have come a long way since the struggles of women's suffrage in the 1900s -and further still since the start of liberal feminism in the 1970s. They've established themselves as prominent leaders in society: scholars, doctors, CEOs and even presidential candidates. As the right to equality in many fields is gained, the focus on women's history in college programs is in question.
Many academics are saying today's world requires that the concentration of study shift to a broader, more abstract framework: gender relations between women and men, according to an article published by The Chronicle of Higher Education.
Syracuse University's Department of Women's Studies is currently in the process of changing its title, from "Women's Studies" to "Women's & Gender Studies," reflecting the growing national trend. The change will be in effect by next semester, said Linda Alcoff, professor and director of the program.
"The change is just to be more accurate in what we do," she said. "Our courses already focus on both gender and women."
Robin Riley, professor of women's studies at SU, said women's studies and gender studies can exist harmoniously. She views the coexistence as positive, dispelling notions one will take precedence over the other.
"I do think it's a good thing, it opens things up," Riley said. "It widens the focus. It's not just about women's concerns and issues."
Janet Dodd, instructor and assistant director of women's studies at SU, agrees.
"This isn't a step back; we're not erasing the presence of women." Dodd said. "But, because of the complexity of identities, it's not enough to just stay in women's lives."
The name change is in no way indicative of a departure from the core tenets of the women's studies program, which according to the department's Web site, are "to help students gain knowledge about the complex ways that gender ideas and practices shape the world around them."
The name is changing to include gender studies rather than replace women's studies, Riley said.
Many academics are saying today's world requires that the concentration of study shift to a broader, more abstract framework: gender relations between women and men, according to an article published by The Chronicle of Higher Education.
Syracuse University's Department of Women's Studies is currently in the process of changing its title, from "Women's Studies" to "Women's & Gender Studies," reflecting the growing national trend. The change will be in effect by next semester, said Linda Alcoff, professor and director of the program.
"The change is just to be more accurate in what we do," she said. "Our courses already focus on both gender and women."
Robin Riley, professor of women's studies at SU, said women's studies and gender studies can exist harmoniously. She views the coexistence as positive, dispelling notions one will take precedence over the other.
"I do think it's a good thing, it opens things up," Riley said. "It widens the focus. It's not just about women's concerns and issues."
Janet Dodd, instructor and assistant director of women's studies at SU, agrees.
"This isn't a step back; we're not erasing the presence of women." Dodd said. "But, because of the complexity of identities, it's not enough to just stay in women's lives."
The name change is in no way indicative of a departure from the core tenets of the women's studies program, which according to the department's Web site, are "to help students gain knowledge about the complex ways that gender ideas and practices shape the world around them."
The name is changing to include gender studies rather than replace women's studies, Riley said.
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