Department of Women and Gender Studies

Academic Department

Where activism meets scholarship: examine the power relationships between gender and politics, culture and embodiments.

Why Study Women and Gender Studies at SFSU?

Discover where activism meets scholarship. At SFSU, examine the power relationships between gender and politics, culture and body. Our department builds feminist archives, conversations and tools for social justice.

Four girls sitting on the stairs leading to Manzanita

Groundbreaking Spirit

SFSU has offered classes relating to women’s studies since 1971. In 1976 the Department of Women and Gender Studies was founded, becoming one of the first departments of its kind in the United States.

Collaborative Environment

We encourage intellectual collaborations in the department and across the profession. We also support applications for funding to support research.

Engaged Faculty

Our faculty typically teach three courses per semester, maintain an active research and publishing profile, and advise students.

Black-and-white head-and-shoulders portrait of a person with long dark hair against a dark background.

From Our Community

“[Majoring in Women and Gender Studies] was definitely one of the best decisions I ever made.”
Toni Eby
B.A., '18

Our Programs