GENDER AS A FIELD OF
HISTORICAL STUDY
"Is gender a useful historical
category?" In 1985 historian Joan Scott
first asked this question. Since then
scholars have answered with a strong
affirmative. A significant number of the
faculty in the History Department of
WMU engage in research and teaching
that examines the historical dimensions
of gender.
An emphasis on gender brings together
students and faculty who wish to study
the cultural construction of feminine
and masculine identities and to explore
how these have structured institutions,
power relations and belief systems.
This emphasis permits the examination
of gender across time, in various
geographical regions, and within
diverse societies.
WHO MIGHT STUDY GENDER
AT THE GRADUATE LEVEL?
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
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Secondary and community college
faculty who wish to bring gendered
perspectives into their own
classrooms.
Librarians, archivists, museum
Curators and other public historians
Those planning careers as teaching
or research historians in colleges or
universities.
Those interested in Women’s
Studies or Gender Studies and are
seeking to expand their academic
skills, knowledge, and credentials.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS:
FACULTY IN GENDER HISTORY:
Graduate students who select gender as
their major emphasis complete a
sequence of readings and research
courses in this area (9-12 credit hours
to be selected in consultation with an
advisor). Appropriate courses may
include: the construction of gender,
gendered politics, genders and
sexualities, gender and migration,
gender and sport history. In addition
students complete History 660,
Theories of Gender and History.
Robert Berkhofer. Medieval Europe,
France, Social History
Linda Borish. 19th-20th c. U.S., Sport
History, Material Culture, Rural
History
Janet Coryell. Antebellum and Civil
War U.S., Biography
Nora Faires. 19th-20th c. U.S.,
Migration, Race, Ethnicity, Class
Marion W. Gray. Modern Germany,
Rural, Environmental,
Enlightenment
Barbara Havira. 19th-20th c. U.S.,
Labor, History, Great Lakes Region
Cheryl Lyon-Jenness. 19th-20th c.
U.S., Agricultural, Environmental
History
John O. Norman. Russia, Cultural
History, Arts Patronage
James Palmitessa. Early Modern
Europe, Central Europe, Urban
History
Larry J. Simon. Medieval,
Renaissance Mediterranean, Spain
and Italy
Judith Stone. Modern Europe, France,
Political Culture, Religion
Students in gender history fulfill the
general requirements for their
respective degree option: M.A. Thesis
Option; M.A. General Option; M.A. in
Public History; or Ph.D. Specific
requirements are listed in the Graduate
Handbook:
www.wmich.edu/history/graduate
INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDY:
WMU has a vibrant Women’s Studies
Program with over 25 full-time faculty
in as many as ten disciplines. Many
Women’s Study faculty offer graduate
training in their respective disciplines,
including. Anthropology,
Communication, English, Foreign
Languages, Philosophy, and Sociology.
For a complete listing see:
www.wmich.edu/womenstu
APPLICATION:
Applicants seeking financial aid must
submit complete applications by
January 15 prior to the academic year
in which they wish to enter. Others are
not bound by this deadline but are
urged to apply in the spring.
Those considering applications are
encouraged to communicate with
faculty with whom they may wish to
study or with the Director of Graduate
Studies in the History Department.
Further information is available from
the websites:
www.wmich.edu/history/graduate
www.wmich.edu/grad
CONTACTS:
Department of History
Western Michigan University
1903 Michigan Avenue
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
(269) 387-4650
wmu_hist@wmich.edu
www.wmich.edu/history
Dr. Judith Stone,
Director of Graduate Studies
judith.stone@wmich.edu
Dr. Marion W. Gray
Department Chair
marion.gray@wmich.edu
Graduate Study
in
GENDER HISTORY