The Effect of Mandatory Enrollment in a Gender Studies Course on Awareness of Sexism, Gender Attitudes, and Views on Feminism

Authors

Sarah Pille, College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University

Document Type

Poster

Publication Date

5-1-2025

Disciplines

Psychology

Advisor

Dr. Amanda Jantzer

Abstract

The patriarchy is a social construct that allows for the domination, oppression, and exploitation of women. An intervention that can be employed to counteract the outcomes of patriarchal beliefs in college students is gender studies courses. These courses aim to promote awareness of sexism, egalitarian gender attitudes, and positive views of feminism. When enrollment to these courses is made mandatory, it can create resistance to their educational goals. This survey study examined differences in gender and course type on resistance and the educational outcomes of gender studies courses (N = 104). The results of this study indicated that gender studies students scored significantly higher on pushback to the educational goals of their courses. Furthermore, women scored significantly higher on awareness of sexism and views of feminism. These results indicate that mandatory enrollment into gender studies courses has the potential to reduce their efficacy.

Recommended Citation

Pille, Sarah, "The Effect of Mandatory Enrollment in a Gender Studies Course on Awareness of Sexism, Gender Attitudes, and Views on Feminism" (2025). Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-). 275.
https://digitalcommons.csbsju.edu/ur_cscday/275