Women’s, gender & sexuality studies is a dynamic interdisciplinary field that explores how gender and sexuality intersect with race, ethnicity, class, ability and nationality, in turn shaping access to opportunities, power inequalities and social advantages/disadvantages. Reflecting our roots in feminist social movements, we explore how the lived experiences of women, men and people of diverse gender identities—both in the U.S. and globally—are molded by systematic forces such as law, culture, globalization, medicine, family, economics and imperialism. Students are encouraged to consider how these interlocking power systems can be transformed to create a more just world where people can sustainably thrive.  

With a core faculty of four professors and more than 30 professors contributing cross-listed courses, Dickinson offers a WGSS major and minor, as well as a sexuality studies minor for students specifically interested in sexuality and QLGBT perspectives.

We sponsor Dickinson’s Research on Women, Gender & Sexuality by Students Symposium and contribute to the Central Pennsylvania Consortium Conference on Women, Gender and Sexuality. We also work with other academic departments and college offices (particularly the Women’s & Gender Resource Center and the Office of LGBTQ Services) to bring compelling scholars, artists and activists to campus.

Our graduates apply their interdisciplinary WGSS knowledge and strong research, writing and speaking skills to such professional areas as public health, social welfare, law, technology, the arts, publishing, teaching, medicine and business, among other fields.

Contact Info

Chair

Katie OlivieroAssociate Professor of Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies

Department Coordinator

Heather IngramAcademic Department Coordinator

Phone

717-245-1519

Fax

717-245-1479

Location

219C, Denny Hall Mailing Address

Department Features


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Annual Research Symposium
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Study Abroad
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Current Courses

Student Outcomes

Where Our Students Go From Here

Jobs:

  • Princeton in Asia
  • Community-Word Project
  • Marion P. Thomas Charter School
  • Intouch Solutions
  • YouthBuild Philadelphia Charter School
  • Veranda magazine
  • AmeriCorps/Vista
  • City Year
  • Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic
  • Travel for Teens
  • McShane Firm, LLC

Graduate Schools:

  • Boston University
  • Boston College Law School
  • University of Michigan
  • Emory University
  • Columbia University Teachers College
  • Northwestern University 
  • Columbia University
  • University of Connecticut School of Law
  • Adelphi University
  • Claremont Graduate University
  • Johns Hopkins University 
  • University of East Anglia
Where Our Students Have Interned

Internships:

  • Girls on the Run                                 
  • United Way of Columbia and Montour County                                             
  • The Black Institute                             
  • National Network to End Domestic Violence                        
  • Planned Parenthood                          
  • Rural Women Development Foundation, Guangdong                                                                      
  • Global Mental Health Program, Columbia University                                   
  • Connecticut Democratic Party                                  
  • National Sexual Violence Resource Center                           
  • LGBT Center Central PA History Project                                
  • Women Organized Against Rape (WOAR)                                         
  • North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault                                                                   
  • Fund for Global Human Rights                                  
  • Spectrum Community Services     

Student Perspective

"Because of my positive experience in Psychology of Women and Gender, I decided to take Introduction to Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies the following semester with Associate Professor of Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies Katie Oliviero, which solidified my interest in the subject and developed my writing skills. These classes opened the door to many of my most treasured experiences at Dickinson and, most important, taught me the value of being open and curious."

— Ellie Pattillo ’23 


Women's, Gender & Sexuality News

All News Department News
Dickinson to Host Reproductive Justice and Human Rights Advocate Loretta J. Ross

Dickinson to Host Reproductive Justice and Human Rights Advocate Loretta J. Ross

Reproductive justice and human rights advocate Loretta J. Ross will discuss changing the dialogue and improving work in reproductive health, justice and rights.

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Swimming in a Multitude of Drops

Swimming in a Multitude of Drops

Associate Professor of French & Francophone Studies and Women's, Gender & Sexuality Studies Mireille Rebeiz discusses academic freedom, "Cloud Atlas" and her hope for the future.

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Graduate Story: Claire Tighe ’13, Journalist and Producer

Graduate Story: Claire Tighe ’13, Journalist and Producer

From Netflix and Audible to NYU and the Maine College of Art & design, the former women's & gender studies major creates and teaches the documentary content the world craves.

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Student Snapshot: Lily Bibro ’24 

Student Snapshot: Lily Bibro ’24 

“I am forever grateful to Dickinson," says Lily Bibro ’24, an English major who interned for a scholarly journal and studied abroad through the college's Oxford program.

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Dickinson Professor Moves the Needle on Arab American Heritage Month

Dickinson Professor Moves the Needle on Arab American Heritage Month

Associate Professor Mireille Rebeiz spearheads effort to launch Arab American Heritage Month.

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Dickinson Celebrates Women

Dickinson Celebrates Women's History Month

The college observes Women's History Month with a variety of educational and inspirational events celebrating the vital role of women in American history.

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WGSS Department faculty response to the Dobbs decision

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