Mission Statement:

Women's and Gender Studies at the University of South Carolina promotes an understanding of the experiences of women and other underrepresented groups through a complete program of teaching, research and service to the University, the local community, the state, the nation, and the global community. Through its teaching mission, Women's and Gender Studies shares this knowledge with students so that they learn to think critically, to communicate effectively, to solve problems, and to interpret human experience. Through its research mission, Women's and Gender Studies reconceptualizes existing knowledge and creates new knowledge through the lens of gender and the prism of diversity. Emerging from an activist tradition, Women's and Gender Studies serves University, local, state, national, and global communities by acting as a resource and guide for issues related to women and gender.

Our teaching, research, and service missions interweave as we create, share, and apply knowledge, skills, and values that promote the full participation of women and other underrepresented groups  in society. At the core of the work of Women's and Gender Studies teaching and research at the University of South Carolina are broad but fundamental questions that drive examinations of the intersections of race, gender, ethnicity and other dimensions of inequality.

More can be learned about the history of Women's and Gender Studies at the University of South Carolina by viewing the video “A Cup Half Full” which can be borrowed from the Women's and Gender Studies Library in Flinn Hall. Additional videos of lectures and events are also available from the Library.