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Gender Studies Minor

Minor

With a gender studies minor, you’ll explore our notions of gender, their historical and cultural origins, and find ways to apply what you’re learning in your education and career.

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By adding a minor in gender studies, you’ll develop a reflective and interdisciplinary understanding of how our notions of gender, gender roles, and gender identities have been, and continue to be, shaped by the intellectual, historical, and sociocultural contexts in which they emerge. This flexible minor provides critical thinking and lessons that can pair well with majors like education, history, social work, business, and more. And you’ll work on a research or service learning project that will help you apply lessons from gender studies courses to your major field of study.

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☰ In This Section

Why should I study gender studies at Bethel?

Here, you’ll find a Christ-centered learning community where you belong. Your learning will center in the Department of Biblical and Theological Studies, where you’ll learn from professors who get to know you personally and will invest in your success. You’ll experience:

Merge gender studies with your major
You’ll have an opportunity integrate a gender studies topic that interests you into a course within your field of study. You’ll design an integrative project through either research or service-learning that explores how issues of gender impact your major field of study. See the Gender-tag form (pdf) for more information.
Flexibility
This minor offers lots of flexibility, as many of the course offerings also count toward general education requirements and will enhance your primary area of study.

Faith-fueled learning
We teach with the belief that all God’s creation and all human beings are worthy of study, so you’ll gain a broad knowledge of human history that is deepened by the integration of a Christian perspective.

A community where you belong
You’ll learn in a welcoming community of intellectually curious students and professors who will invest in your success.

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Connect with a counselor

They’ll answer your questions, connect you with professors, and help you find the right time to visit campus. They’ll be there every step of the way to help make applying to Bethel as smooth as possible.

Find your counselor

Courses and skills

What skills will I develop?

As you explore gender studies, you’ll expand your knowledge and develop critical thinking skills for evaluating different beliefs and systems about gender. You’ll better understand how personal beliefs about gender influence thoughts about ourselves and others.

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A strong base of knowledge

You’ll gain a better understanding of the key contexts that have and continue to shape gender experiences. And you’ll better recognize discrimination at the intersection of gender, race, class, and more.

Faith-fueled learning

As you explore key issues and beliefs around gender, you’ll develop the ability to apply biblical perspectives to gender issues.

Strong communication skills

You’ll be able to respectfully and thoughtfully communicate personal perspectives. And you’ll gain a stronger sense of empathy for how gender shapes and impacts people of other cultures.

Skills for any career

Gender studies is an area that will enhance your critical thinking skills as you evaluate different beliefs and systems. And these skills can be applied to almost any area of study and career.

Students having a discussion in the Brushaber commons

Academic plans

Map out your time at Bethel—from day one to your diploma. Your course schedule is designed to help you grow, gain skills, and become who you’re meant to be.

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Learning opportunities

What experiences will I have?

Hands-on learning is at the core of all Bethel majors and minors. That means you’ll find numerous opportunities to get involved, apply what you’ve learned, and gain experience.

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Study abroad

Study around the world through trips over a full semester, January session, spring break, and summer. Off-campus study abroad programs include the January trip to Morocco, Spain, and France. Or you can study for a semester at a university in another country. Recent students have studied in Chile, Costa Rica, Indonesia, and Lithuania.

Internships and on-campus work

You’ll apply what you’ve learned through great internships. And we have partnerships like a paid internship at the White Bear Lake Historical Society. You’ll have the chance to intern at sites like the Minnesota Legislature and the Minnesota Historical Society. You’ll also have opportunities to apply to work for the department as a teaching assistant (TA).

Research

You’ll have the chance to conduct research with professors through programs like Edgren Scholars and summer research projects. And you can conduct your own original research in local or digital archives for your senior seminar paper.

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Real-world impact

How will this minor help my career goals?

You’ll gain knowledge of political systems and communication, writing, and critical thinking skills that can prepare you for almost any job.

Stand out to employers

Through your service learning or research project, you’ll display the type of critical thinking skills that will help you stand out to employers and graduate schools.

Show your passion

Through rigorous study in a field like gender studies, you’ll stand out to employers with your passion and purpose.

Apply your faith to your career

As you wrestle with important questions and study from a Christian perspective, you’ll be well-equipped to glorify God wherever your career takes you.

Students conversing on Lake Valentine dock

Start your journey

Explore Bethel for yourself

Visiting campus is the best way to learn about Bethel and our majors. As you try out academic and campus life at Bethel, you can attend a class, chat with students, meet professors and coaches, tour campus, and get a taste of life in our program.

Schedule a visit

Faculty mentors

Meet your professors

You’ll learn alongside professors who are accessible and usually have an open-door policy so you can stop by with questions.

Department of Biblical & Theological Studies

Location

Barnes Academic Center (BAC) 356

Contact

Erik Leafblad

Michael Holmes