Why study away?
The field of women, gender and sexuality studies is fundamentally international and interdisciplinary. The exploration of gender often requires students to pull from a variety of other fields, such as anthropology, history, literature, politics, race, religion, psychology, sociology, and the natural sciences. Taking women, gender or sexuality studies courses abroad exposes students to a range of cultural practices and ideologies, thereby developing a global framework to further contextualize contemporary issues like human rights, violence against women, and the LGBT movement. Study abroad courses on women, gender or sexuality are available almost anywhere in the world, and each will provide its own perspective and approach to the field of women, gender and sexality studies.
Planning
Consult with your SWAGS advisor to plan how best to complete the major requirements if you choose to study away during part or all of your junior year.
Major Credit
The SWAGS Department permits up to three “external courses” to be counted towards the major, which can include courses taken during a study away. Review the “External Courses” section on the Major Requirements page for the step-by-step approval process. We recommend that you obtain approval for your external courses before you depart Amherst for your study away experience.
Programs
Most study away programs offer classes on sexuality or gender studies. Generally speaking, there are three different types of programs:
- University direct enrollment (classes with local students), such as Maastricht University's (The Netherlands) Humanities and Social Sciences program or The American University of Beirut's (Lebanon) gender studies department
- Study centers (classes with other study abroad students), such as DIS Copenhagen (Denmark) or CASA Chile
- Research programs (one course devoted to an independent study project), such as SIT Study Abroad.
There are many more examples and students should meet with an adviser in Global Education to find a program that meets their academic and personal needs. Appointments can be made in the Amherst College Travel Registry.