Women + Public Policy Concentration

Gender in public policy

Public policy is gendered. This means that men and women are affected differently by public policies, that they participate differently in the public policy making process, and that public policies are an arena where gender is resisted and renegotiated.

What students in this concentration study

Students choose this concentration so that they can study the effects of gendered public policy, both generally and as it relates to specific issues. You are encouraged to perform gender analysis of public affairs issues of greatest interest. This could include employment, global policy, health care, and many others. You also can examine the intersection of oppressions based not only on gender but also race, class, and sexual orientation.

Possible courses in the concentration

Below are just a small sampling of the dozens of courses related to women and public policy. You can find additional ideas on the concentration sheet.

• PA 5601 Survey of Women, Law, and Public Policy in the U.S.
• PA 5890 Women in Armed Conflict
• PA 5522 International Development Policy, Family and Health
• SOC 8221 Sociology of Gender
• GWSS 5690 Women, Society, and Race in the United States

Research centers

If you are interested in women and public policy, you may be interested in the following Humphrey School research centers:

• Center on Women and Public Policy
• Roy Wilkins Center for Human Relations and Social Justice

Concentration forms

• Concentration sheet.
  Complete list of required courses
• Concentration exception request form
  Used to request an exception to the concentration requirements
• Spring 2012 course listings
  Concentration courses available during Spring 2012