Oakland University’s women’s studies program has recently changed its name to Women and Gender Studies. As women’s studies have matured, the range of topics in OU’s program has expanded to encompass not only issues related to women, but to men and other genders as well.
Associate Professor of Sociology and Director of Women and Gender Studies Jo Reger said, “We can’t just talk about what makes a woman without talking about what makes a man. The new name for our program reflects the updated philosophy that we are covering every topic relating to gender
Oakland’s women’s studies program was founded as an interdisciplinary field devoted to the description and analysis of women’s experiences in historical and contemporary societies, including the representation of women in literature, art and media. The curriculum has evolved to courses such as “Sociology of Gender” and “Masculinity in the Media,” broadening the spectrum to explore relationships among genders and how ideas about gender impact society. “Today in the Women and Gender Studies Program, we are analyzing the gender roles that men and women play in society. Most people have a preconceived idea about these roles, and our goal is to re-educate students so that we can move toward a society less driven by stereotypes,” Reger also said.
In honor of Women’s History Month, the 25th annual Women’s Studies Film Festival will take place Saturday, March 29 at OU from 12:30 to 6 p.m. in 156 North Foundation Hall. This year’s festival, titled “Revolutionary Women in the Workplace,” will feature the films "The Salt of the Earth" and "North Country." Tickets are $10 for the general public, $8 for seniors. For more information on the film festival, call the Women and Gender Studies office at (248) 370-2154.