182SPRING ACADEMICS MINOR STEP FOR WOMEN GIANT LEAP FOR WOMANKIND The English and History departments create a new women’s studies minor to begin fall 2022. WORK! WORK! Dr. Amy Qualls teaches the women’s literature class. Qualls was one of the leading professors who helped create the women’s studies minor. Photo by: Kaitlyn Cutshall A WOMEN’S STUDIES MINOR was created through joint efforts of the English and History departments. Associate professor of English and director of University Writing Center Amy Qualls considered creating a women’s studies minor in the past and was excited when she heard that the Department of History and Political Science was also considering the minor. The minor was 18 credit hours and had two required classes: introduction to women’s studies with the English Department and women in Western society with the History Department. “Dr. Qualls has been wanting this for a while, and I really enjoyed having her for Women’s Literature,” junior Caroline Slater said. “I’m excited to see what other classes she can teach regarding women.” Introduction to women’s studies covered the experiences of women that influenced history, religion, race, class and culture, as well as how to use the minor practically. “Within a Christian context, this minor will train students to be sensitive to the needs of women, especially in occupations in which it may be common to work with large groups of women or on issues related specifically to the experiences of women,” Qualls said. For the remaining 12 credit hours of the minor, students could choose from classes in varied topics including social work, family and consumer sciences, and behavioral sciences. Though there were only two classes specific to this minor, Qualls hoped that once the minor grew, other departments would consider building classes as well. She believed the use of such studies on campus could have impressive effects on the careers and personal lives of graduates. “Society has the ability to affect our understanding of our own personhood, and as the expectations of our roles as women affect our perceptions of ourselves, we have the ability to either flourish or we see the potential for full humanness to be diminished,” Qualls said. “Many women across the globe learn to flourish alongside restraint. I began to understand that the way we teach our students who are going into fields that will interact with women could matter in fundamental ways. I wanted Harding to have a program that addressed these distinctions within the context of a Christian education.” Senior Mary Kathryn Asencio declared the minor and was excited for what it could do for Harding’s academics. “I love that this is an area of focus that aims to hear the voices of women that have been spoken over,” Asencio said. “I think it will help me to use my voice and to empower other women to do the same.” Asencio sought to encourage fellow students to consider the minor. “If you are interested in learning more about diverse perspectives and interested in broadening your overall knowledge about women in all kinds of places, then this is perfect,” Ascencio said. WRITTEN BY GRACE HURT 1
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