The women's and gender studies program appeals to students who are interested in the role gender has played and continues to play in modern society and culture. Coursework addresses important topics that are traditionally underrepresented in academic studies, such as the lives and works of women, and the experiences of gays and lesbians.

The program is interdisciplinary, drawing upon coursework in sociology, history, English, psychology, political science, religious studies, anthropology, and others. Classes explore everything from the expected—feminist theory and women's literature—to the unexpected, such as gender portrayal in film and the political context of women's health.

This holistic approach means that students develop a broad understanding of the extent to which gender stereotypes, biases, and truths permeate all aspects of our culture.