Stonehill's Gender & Sexuality Studies program uses gender as a lens to promote critical thinking and scholarly development from an interdisciplinary perspective.
Gender & Sexuality Studies is an interdisciplinary field that combines the social sciences and humanities in order to examine how and why gender matters in our lives and in our world. Informed by feminist and queer theoretical perspectives, it explores the differences within and between men and women and the construction of those differences within gendered systems of oppression.
Unlike similar programs elsewhere, where institutional dogma might muzzle debate, Stonehill College is welcoming to those who bring diverse opinions and viewpoints to the discussion.
Students in the Gender & Sexuality Studies major will learn the critical thinking and analytical skills necessary to enter the job market or pursue graduate study in a variety of fields including women’s studies, sociology, psychology, English and history.
You will be able to develop expertise through directed studies and gain practical experience through internships, both of which will help you develop your career path.
Other attributes of the program include:
Gender & Sexuality Studies is an excellent double major or minor for students who want to distinguish themselves on the job market.
It’s not uncommon for students to combine this major with one in marketing, psychology, or political science and international studies. A student with a major in business and gender and sexuality studies enters the marketplace with a distinct competitive advantage, especially as companies seek to implement equitable hiring and employment practices.
The following are learning experiences we hope all gender and sexuality studies students have before graduating:
The Gender & Sexuality courses I took changed the course of my Stonehill experience and, to be honest, my life. The knowledge I gleaned was the catalyst for my activism, the focus of my academics, and work I continue to do as a professional."
Gender & Sexuality Studies courses focus on a range of gendered institutions, such as family, work, religion, education, health, medicine, media and politics. Our courses also investigate the many ways scholars, artists and activists have researched, represented and critiqued our gendered world.
Among the topics students can expect to study are:
Organizations involved in assessing U.S. colleges and universities continually cite Stonehill as being among the best in the nation when it comes to value, outcomes and a commitment to making the world a better place. See full list of accolades.
Stonehill moved up 62 places in this year’s WSJ “America’s Best Colleges 2024” rankings, putting it in the top 12 among Massachusetts schools and top 6% nationally.
After considering input from 165,000 students at colleges and universities across the country, The Princeton Review recently ranked Stonehill College 19th out of 389 schools for quality of life.
Less than 20% of the 700 schools on Money’s 2023 Best College list, including Stonehill, received 4.5 stars or higher in the magazine’s 5-star rating system.
Stonehill Gender & Sexuality Studies graduates go on to work at a range of notable organizations. Continue exploring where Stonehill graduates work.
To view our courses and program requirements for gender and sexuality studies, please view our online course catalog.
All Gender & Sexuality Studies majors are required to complete an internship or a directed study. See where our students have completed internships.
Stonehill students in the Gender & Sexuality Studies major will learn the critical thinking and analytical skills necessary to enter the job market or pursue graduate study in a variety of fields, including women’s studies, sociology, English and history.
