Women's & Gender Studies: Home

Women's and gender studies research takes an interdisciplinary approach to the study of gender, its function in cultures and societies, and its intersections with race and class. Research within women's and gender studies also often includes feminist theory, masculinities and men's studies, studies of sexualities, LGBTQI studies, and girlhood and boyhood studies.

Use the tabs above to find additional information for all types of research.

• For specific courses, see the course guides under the Home tab
• For general research, check the Articles, Databases and Other Resources tab. Databases hold multiple resources, including scholarly articles. Articles are a good starting point for research. They frequently cite issues, books and other articles which can save you time. The Libraries hold several different indexes to help you find the articles you need.

Local Organizations and Resources

The UF Center for Gender, Sexualities, and Women’s Studies Research offers many interdisciplinary courses. Students may major in Women’s Studies through the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The BA program has three areas of concentration for students to choose from. A minor in Women’s Studies and a minor in Theories and Politics of Sexuality are also available. The Graduate Certificate in Women’s Studies for master’s and doctoral students is offered in conjunction with degree programs. The Center offers Master of Arts (thesis) and Master of Women’s Studies (non-thesis) degrees. The Center's materials in the Institutional Repository may be accessed here: Center for Gender, Sexualities, and Women's Studies Research Collection http://ufdc.ufl.edu/wst

The Dean of Students Office offers additional resources and ways for students to be involved through LGBT Affairs and the Women's Student Association. NEW - LGBT Library @UF A listing of books available at the University of Florida's Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Affairs. All of these materials are also searchable in the Smathers Libraries' Catalog at: http://uf.catalog.fcla.edu/uf.jsp. Begin with an Advanced Search and then limit your search by Location to the LGBT Library. Please check with the LGBT Affairs Office on check-out procedures.

Additionally, the Special & Area Studies Collections at the George A. Smathers Collections have many resources related to women's and gender studies. Many of these materials are not available elsewhere or online, so researchers may want to visit Special Collections or browse through the online finding aids that explain some of the many resources they hold. 

University of Florida's Pride Student Union provides a social, educational, and support organization for Gainesville's student community. Gainesville Community Alliance (GCA) is a social organization for gay, lesbian, bisexual people and their supporters throughout the Gainesville area.