Ryan ChartrandThe Cal Poly Women’s Studies Program will implement two big changes effective next quarter: It will officially become its own department and will change its name to be more indicative of its objective.
The soon-to-be women’s and gender studies department will be the 17th department in the College of Liberal Arts. The status comes with several privileges, according to program director Mary Armstrong, who will serve as department chair.
“This change for us is a kind of catching up to reality,” said Armstrong, who explained that the program has operated independently for years. With its own budget, schedule, office and staff support, the program was overdue for the upgrade, Armstrong said.
“It sends a message that the academic study of gender and sexuality is a critical area of study,” she continued.
The change will allow the program to create its own standards and hire teachers who can teach women’s and gender studies classes exclusively, although no hires are planned. As of now, only four permanent faculty members teach the classes and use joint-appointment format, where two-thirds of their classes must be taught in another department.
In addition to being recognized as its own discipline, the department will change its name to reflect the curriculum and attract more male students.
“We study gender from every angle,” Armstrong said. “We want people to know that men are welcome and an important part of what we do.”
Religious studies professor Devin Kuhn, who was hired in September, said she is very excited about being a part of the department from its inception.
“I hope that the title will indicate more inclusiveness,” said Kuhn, a permanent faculty member.
Armstrong was hired in 2000 as the first permanent faculty member for the women’s studies program. That year, only two students took the women’s studies minor. Thirty-five students are now minoring in women’s studies, but Armstrong said there are no plans to create a major in the discipline.
The decision to create the women’s and gender studies department was passed by the College of Liberal Arts Chairs Council and all academic deans of the colleges unanimously, then passed through the Academic Senate with only two votes opposing it.
“There were lots of hoops that we had to go through to be a department,” said Armstrong, who added that the College of Liberal Arts dean and the university president were very supportive of the decision and approved it very quickly.
While the name change won’t be officially recognized until the 2009 catalog, those registering for classes will see the changes begin next quarter. The classes won’t change much, but Armstrong said there are plans to add classes that focus on sustainability and global issues, as well as classes that continue to examine race and sexuality as they relate to gender.
The women’s studies program was founded in 1990. Currently, 25 faculty members from nine different departments teach core and elective courses.