On the national level, Women's Studies began in the 1970s as the academic component of the contemporary women's movement. Initially, the aim was to include women in the knowledge pool, and for women's life experiences to be the foundation of the discipline.

Since that initial founding, Women's Studies has expanded to include theoretical and analytic discourse on the differences between women and men and, more recently, has incorporated a focus on the diversity of women. Today, women's studies courses examine gender with a multi-viewing lens that incorporates the impact of race, class, sexual orientation, age, and ethnicity on personal life and social placement.

Dr. Barbara Ryan
Director of Women's Studies, Widener University
Social Science Division, Chester, PA 19013
610) 499-4374
Fax: (610) 499-4603