For years, students and faculty have been fighting to make the women's studies certificate program a major.
The decision is pending as to whether a women's studies major will be instituted by the next school year, the 25th anniversary of the program, said Susan Burgess, director of the women's studies program.
If it is announced that the College of Arts and Sciences Curriculum Committee approves the major, it will then move on to be reviewed by the University Curriculum Council.
There are a large number of students waiting for the major to be approved
Burgess said. I am hopeful that we will get it done this calendar year.
OU has provided many resources this year to help the program, Burgess said. The women's studies program received an 1804 Award of $19,250, a planning grant of money set aside each year to improve teaching and learning. This helped to fund curriculum as well as new faculty.
Innovative areas of women's studies such as globalization and feminism are also being implemented, Burgess said. She said she thinks students will be pleased with the result of program additions.
The major would have three tracks: global feminism, sexuality studies and a general track. Nine additional core courses will also be offered. Some are already available as special topics, such as Women Gender and Rock 'n' Roll which was offered this winter.
The program has changed from a modest, low-funded program to a substantial program with a significant administrative structure, said Patricia Richard, co-founder of the women's studies program and a professor of political science.
Most of the faculty also is familiar with other schools with larger women's studies programs, according to Richard.
OU has not been the first to do almost anything with women's studies
she said.
Amy Dison and Melissa Todd, both seniors in the women's studies certificate program, had hoped the program would become a major before they graduated.
Dison, a journalism major, said a women's studies class should be mandatory for every student.
Todd, one of 39 undergraduates graduating with a certificate this year, agreed that she hopes more people will get involved.
I think there's a lot of hope for the program
she said. I would like to see more people interested. Students who are already familiar with the topic dominate the classes, she said.
I think there's a ton of support across the university for the development of the program
Burgess said.
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Ellie Behling
