In 2023, the Department of Women and Gender Studies at the University of Delaware will celebrate “50 Years Strong,” the department’s 50th year of teaching about, studying, and advocating for the rights of women and all marginalized people. In reality, though, it’s a 15-month celebration, with events kicking off this fall.

The department offers a bachelor of arts in women and gender studies, and minors in women and gender studies, sexualities and gender studies, women in religion, and domestic violence prevention and services. Majors can choose to concentrate in domestic violence prevention and services or women in a global perspective. The department also is home to the Center for the Study and Prevention of Gender-Based Violence. Students are encouraged to intern with the department’s 15 community partners, enabling them to integrate what they have learned in the classroom with practical experience. “We’re really proud of the strong space we have created for students to grow and build professional competencies,” said Patricia Sloane-White, department chair. 

Students often discover Women and Gender Studies by way of taking a class that fulfills a university or group requirement.

“We teach and impact 3,000 students annually and after this introduction via a class that fulfills a requirement, some students join us as minors or double majors,” said Jennifer Naccarelli Reese, department associate chair. “In particular, a number of students combine a major or minor in our department with a major in the health sciences.”