2008 Woodie Awards
Men check out women's studies
Adam Asher
Issue date: 4/10/07 Section: News
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That all changed when he decided to take an introductory women's studies course (WOMS 201) last fall.
The university's women's studies program reaches an estimated 3,500 students per year by teaching a wide variety of topics in approximately 40 courses, according to Jessica Schiffman, assistant director of the department. There are approximately 60 students in the major and 150 students in the minor, but, on average, less than 10 students in each class are male.
"Whenever they got into the controversial issues I would sort of slouch down because I didn't want to offend anyone," Mazik said.
Although he was one of three males in a largely female crowd when he took his course, he said it was an experience he would recommend to any curious guy.
"It's definitely a good way to meet women while learning about their history in international society," Mazik said.
Schiffman said women's studies classes were first offered in 1974. The minor became available to students in 1978 and the major in 1994.
She said men may feel uncomfortable when they enter the classroom, but it is important to learn to be comfortable despite being different.
"These are the kinds of conditions that increase people's comfort," Schiffman said. "There is a level of comfort with whatever difference you identify with."
Sophomore Andrew Christy is one student who has been able to get comfortable. He said he was turned off by extremely liberal feminists in high school, but taking a course in women's studies during the fall of his freshman year changed his life.
"There's no reason for men to be intimidated," Christy said. "I've never met the stereotypical man-hating feminists in any of my classes."
Mazik said despite his first impressions, he also found class surprisingly interesting and open to discussion.
"There was no stereotyping," he said.
Christy said he quickly made friends in his classes. He is now one of only three men in the major and has gotten involved in the community by counseling rape victims with the group Sexual Offense Support.
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