What Students
Say about Women's Studies at URI
Why We Need Women’s Studies Today
Sara Wilbur:
Why Women’s Studies Now. Because Bush is trying to reverse
Roe v Wade. Because women still make 76 cents for every man’s
dollar. Because women still work full-time during the day to
come home and work full-time at night.
Because women’s bodies are testing grounds for political advancements.
Because women around the world and right here at home undergo genital mutilation
so as not to enjoy sexual intercourse. Because women are passed over for
positions just because of their sex. Because motherhood is not considered
a career choice.
Because “we the people” only protects “we the white men.” Because
rape happens. Because men just can’t control themselves. Because society
does’t recognize that love comes in all forms and is not defined by
genitalia. Because a women has yet to be president. Because Viagra is covered
by health insurance and birth control is not. Because women are harassed
everyday and forced by society to believe they are subject to men and their
harassment.
Because women are forced into stereotypes of commercialism. Because the glass
ceiling is made from concrete. Because eating disorders are fine as long
as you don’t get fat. Because women’s sports is seen as play
time instead of professionals. For all these reasons the world needs women’s
studies to educate the society about what the world is truly about, and what
the world could be like. Women’s studies has opened my mind, and the
world to me and many others with the hope for a better future for tomorrow's
women.
Samantha De Muro:
Some courses teach you about their subject matter. Women's Studies courses
teach you about life.
Introduction to Women’s Studies:
Examining Inequalities in Today’s
World (WMS 150)
Jody Lisberger, Ph.D., M.F.A.
Fall 2005/Providence Campus, T 4-6:45 p.m.
Student responses to WMS 150:
Katie:
This class changed me in a way few things in my life have. I lost count long ago of how many times I said “Oh,” out loud in a shocked, awed, or suddenly understanding tone. I feel like blinders I didn’t even know I had were lifted.
Eric G.:
I know when I first heard “Women’s Studies” all I could think about is that males are not allowed to take it and it’s just a semester of male bashing. The truth of the matter is everything but that – there are many things in this class that helped me out with many aspects of my life… this semester alone has taught me how to actually get out and do something, how to make change, and how I can make the world a better place.
Kristin:
I love telling people about this class, especially boys. I tell them that no, you do not get to learn about women, you learn much more. You learn about anything that is an “other” an “-ism,” or an issue that relates to women.
Mike:
I have come to learn that feminism is all about equal rights. It’s not about singling out each sex and driving them further apart… I didn’t think I would be able to relate Women’s Studies to so many parts of my life… women’s issues are related to racism, stereotyping, discrimination, cultural appropriation, and many other social uncertainty…. Today, because of this class, I have become proud of my identity and who I am. Nowadays, I don’t allow people to disrespect who I am.
Colleen:
This semester has been a real turning point in the way I view the world around me and myself… this semester has also been really good for my writing skills. Your high standards for the writing we did and the way you guided us while we worked on our papers will, I’m sure, prove invaluable to me in the future.
Eric B.:
I had no idea by the end of this class I would be a new, changed person. Not just from the new information and knowledge I had learned, but also, from all the wonderful discussions, I was able to discover thoughts and feelings about the issues and myself that I’ve never felt.
