August 29, 2006 issue
I came to Eastern in the fall of 2003, to
become the director of the Women's Studies program. I'm
originally from Texas and I had only been to EMU once,
for my interview. That interview took place in a heavy snowstorm. Everyone
apologized for the weather, but I was thrilled. It had been years since
I had seen snow in Texas!
I was attracted to Eastern's Women's Studies program because it was well
established and successful. I liked the emphasis on teaching at this school
and was eager to participate in a graduate program in Women's Studies.
I really enjoy working with the students at EMU. There are a large number
of nontraditional students who have to balance work, family
and education. I have a tremendous amount of respect for what they do.
As busy as they are, they still try to advance themselves and their understanding
of the world.
Last year, the Women's Studies program became Women's and Gender Studies.
This opens up opportunities to study masculinity, gender identity and
sexuality. We can study these things in the contexts of different cultures
and societies.
This is a great campus for Women's and Gender Studies. Support for the
program is clear at all levels. Women's and Gender Studies is an interdisciplinary
program; we are represented in all five colleges. Though my specialty
is women's history, students also can take classes in art, economics,
technology, psychology and business...many of the subjects taught here at
Eastern.
Though most of our majors are women, about 20 percent of the students
in Women's and Gender Studies classes are male. They often finish these
classes with a better understanding of the forces that shape women and
the challenges they face. It helps them to better understand the significant
women in their lives, whether it's a mother, sister or partner.
The program is, of course, also great for women. It helps them understand
why they are the way they are. It's a major that brings about a lot of
self-awareness. It makes visible to women patterns that have always been
present in their lives, but that they may not have seen nor had the tools
to understand. I like being part of a program where students can immediately
apply the things they learn in class to their personal lives.
NOTE: Linda Schott will become associate dean of the
College of Arts and Sciences, effective Sept. 1.
