The University of California at Santa Cruz has staged the official launch of its Ph.D. program in feminist studies. The program is now accepting applications for the initial class of Ph.D. scholars, scheduled to begin in the fall of 2013. The goal of the program is to train teachers in feminist studies and also to produce graduates who can serve as leaders in public policy and human rights organizations.
The first women’s studies course was introduced at the University of California at Santa Cruz in 1971. A bachelor’s degree program was established in 1974. Today the undergraduate program in feminist studies is one of the largest in the nation. There are about a dozen Ph.D. programs in the field nationwide. The first was established at the University of Maryland in 1976.
Lisbeth Haas, professor and chair of feminist studies at the university stated, “The Ph.D. in feminist studies at UC Santa Cruz is an interdisciplinary program that investigates how relations of gender are embedded in cultural, political, racial, and social structures. It will provide students with advanced training in critical race and ethnic studies, sexuality studies, and the study of science and social justice.”