The Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (WGS) department is celebrating more than 30 years as a program at Gettysburg College. WGS was first established as a program in 1986, offering only 6 courses, and today offers 30 courses for students across disciplines.
The department has expanded over the years to offer classes designed to engage students in discussing societal issues. “The main goal is to raise the consciousness of main issues on gender, sex, race, and class,” said Temma Berg, Emeritus Professor of WGS. “We wanted students to become aware of all these issues. For example, the absence of women in scientific fields.”
Gettysburg College students are becoming more interested in taking WGS classes because society’s views on gender, sexuality and sex roles have shifted. Now the department offers over thirty courses a year, capturing the attention of students, including non-WGS majors.
In honor of the WGS department’s 30th celebration as a program, they are hosting an invite-only reception on Friday, March 22, at 5:30 p.m., followed by a dinner at 6:00 p.m., and a panel discussion at 7:00 p.m.
The following day, Gettysburg College is hosting the 32nd Annual Central Pennsylvania Consortium (CPC) Women, Gender, & Sexuality Studies Conference. This year’s theme is Looking Back, Looking Forward: Contested Histories, Multiple Futures.
The conference will be held in Breidenbaugh Hall on Saturday, March 23, 2019, from 8:15 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. The event is open to anyone. Register online by March 15th to receive a free lunch.
Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from key note speakers such as Alexis Lothian and Jessica Johnson on topics related to feminism and activism in light of movements such as Black Lives Matter, #Metoo, and the Women’s March on Washington.
Each speaker will touch on a wide range of topics like Gender/ Sexuality in Pop Culture, Violence Against Women, Trans/Formation of women and many more!
By Karla Rivera '19
Posted: 03/05/19