Student Perspective: Carolyn Barbadoro looks at Women's Studies at W&M
The Women’s Studies Program is an interdisciplinary academic program giving students the opportunity to choose among a variety of courses specific to their interests. As a Women’s Studies major, I’ve had the opportunity to take courses ranging from “Reconstructing Female Sexuality,” “U.S. Women’s History,” to “Women in Economic Development.” The professors are dedicated to enhancing student experiences inside and outside the classroom by working with student organizations to host on-campus events.
The Women’s Studies Program has taught me to examine race, gender, class, and sexual orientation in a cross-cultural, global context. The number of students enrolled in a women’s studies course is limited to facilitate an optimal environment for student discussion. As a student, I feel the seminar-based discussions have been the most rewarding experiences I’ve had in my college career.
The program also encourages students to follow their own interests by completing an independent study or an internship. In the summer prior to my senior year, I worked as an intern at the National Organization for Women in Washington, D.C. The internship gave me the chance to earn academic credit for activist work. The Women’s Studies Department wrote recommendations on my behalf when I applied for internships and explained how I could earn academic credit for my internship. In addition, the faculty provides students with the knowledge, skills, and resources to seek internships and employment post-graduation.
