• Cluster Requirements

The Interdisciplinary Program in Gender Studies at Northwestern brings together a dynamic cluster of faculty and graduate students conducting research in the history and theory of gender, in feminism, and in sexuality studies, from a variety of disciplinary and interdisciplinary perspectives—including but not limited to anthropology, African American studies, art history, history, law, linguistics, literatures and languages, music, radio/television/film, performance studies, philosophy, political science, and sociology.    Seeking students with strong credentials and exceptional scholarly promise from any of these related areas of study, the Program trains doctoral students in core concepts of gender and sexuality studies, while also guiding students to develop strong individual programs that situate gender and sexuality at the center of their interdisciplinary scholarship. 

Scholarly work in the history, literature, performance, psychology, sociology, and theory of gender and sexuality (to name a few of the central areas) is now an integral part of most humanities and social science disciplines. In addition, new interdisciplinary exchange has been made possible by the focus on gender and sexuality and the emergence of a body of feminist, gender, and queer theory linking and bridging work in the disciplines (some examples would be work that moves across history and various literatures, between anthropology and performance studies, or between political theory and philosophy). Students trained in Northwestern’s doctoral cluster program are uniquely qualified for positions in women’s studies, gender studies, and sexuality studies departments and programs, as well as in the growing number of traditional disciplines and departments seeking candidates whose research engages with questions of gender and/or sexuality and who have the ability to teach courses in these areas

Over the past several decades, the study of gender and, more recently, sexuality has grown to engage with and encompass work in an increasingly wide range of fields in the humanities and social sciences. Built on the strong foundations of over twenty years of Women’s Studies scholarship, this work has raised crucial questions about the ways in which perceived differences between the sexes manifest themselves in the differential status of women and men, and has initiated path-breaking inquiries into our understanding of gender as socially and culturally constituted knowledge about sexual difference. Further, this scholarly work has expanded more recently to include the study of masculinities, the history and theory of sexuality (as a category intersecting with but distinct from “gender”), the intersections with racial, ethnic, and national identities, and the exploration of issues of identity and sexual politics in ways that do not assume categories largely taken for granted in the modern Western world.

Students interested in pursuing a PhD in African-American Studies, Art History, Communication Studies, Comparative Literary Studies, English, French and Italian, German Literature and Critical Thought, History, Music, Performance Studies, Philosophy, Political Science, Religion, Slavic Languages and Literatures, Sociology, and Theatre and Drama are encouraged to find a second intellectual “home” in this interdisciplinary cluster.

How to Participate

There are many different ways for faculty and students to participate in the intellectual life of the cluster. Many cluster events, such as visiting lecturers and conferences, are open to all members of the University. Cluster seminars are open to graduate students across the University. We encourage all students, faculty and staff of Northwestern to learn more about our research and activities by participating in our public events.

Matriculating graduate students interested in participating in this cluster should indicate their interest when they apply to their respective graduate programs. Information on cluster requirements for participating graduate students can be found by visiting the Requirements page for this cluster.

The first cohort of graduate students will be admitted to the cluster during the 2007-08 academic year. This cohort will include incoming and current students who wish to participate in program activities. Students admitted directly to the cluster and a department are noted as "cluster fellows" and will be provided with two years of fellowship as part of their five-year funding package, as well as with a $1000 research account.

Current graduate students interested in participating in this cluster should contact Professor Ann Orloff at a-orloff@northwestern.edu.

Faculty

The primary appointment for those faculty with joint or affiliate status in another program is noted in parentheses.