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What to expect at Saint Martin's
The Gender and Identity Studies minor, in keeping with the Catholic Benedictine tradition of hospitality and respect for persons, is committed to educational endeavors that emphasize openness to others and engagement with people different from ourselves. The Gender and Identity Studies program offers a comprehensive program that provides students with a multidisciplinary body of theoretical and applied knowledge about both gender and identity. The program emphasizes work grounded in women’s studies, men and masculinities studies, queer studies, and critical identity studies.
The minor gives students information about the social construction and conceptualization of gender, gendered experiences, gender identity, and the change in gender roles throughout history. The 112 program also emphasizes the study of social identities and includes classes examining race, ethnicity, sexuality, age, (dis)ability, class, nationality, and religiosity in the social world.
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Research and internships
Gender and identity studies students are active on campus. Their efforts include the coordination and production of several campus-wide awareness-focused events including Take Back the Night and the Clothesline Project.
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Zine!
Each year the students of WS 200: Introduction to Gender and Identity Studies create a Zine. Zines (short for magazine) are an important part of feminist communication dating back before the internet. Women would gather and create Zines to talk about sexism, patriarchy, sexual assault, and promote female artists who were largely ignored in their communities. Zines are particularly important in the Olympia community as part of the Riot Grrrl movement which began in Olympia in the early 90's. The GIS 200 Zines are free and are distributed to the Saint Martin's Community and can also be found at local bookstores.
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Career paths
A minor in gender and identity studies prepares graduates for a variety of professional opportunities including:
- Teaching
- Journalism
- Higher education administration
- Government relations
- Women's advocacy
- Legal aid
For a complete list of professional applications, visit "What Can I Do With This Major?". For additional information about how Saint Martin’s can help you find the career for you, visit our Career Center.