Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania, is now offering a bachelor’s degree program in women’s and gender studies. Previously, students could only pursue a minor in the subject. The new degree program takes an interdisciplinary approach with two required courses and seven electives. Students are encouraged to study abroad and participate in community-service learning experiences.
One class, “Women and the U.S. Criminal Justice System,” is taught at the Northampton County Prison. Half of the students are from Lafayette College and the other half are prison inmates. In another course, students interact with pregnant students and single mothers who are enrolled at Easton Area High School.
Mary Armstrong is an associate professor and chair of women’s and gender studies at Lafayette College. She holds a Ph.D. from Duke University.