Current Students
Welcome to the Gender and Women’s Studies Department at CSUN, where current students thrive in a vibrant community dedicated to social justice, critical inquiry, and transformative education.
Scholarships
Every year the Department of Gender and Women's Studies awards three scholarships to outstanding junior or senior students. Seniors must be enrolled full-time in the fall and preferably spring of the following year. If you are passionate about ending unequal gender relations and gender studies, below are three great scholarships offered for lowering the cost of your GWS education.
Deadline: April 5th 2023
This award was established by Dr. Amir Hussain in memory of his wife Shannon L. Hamm who believed strongly in furthering and supporting a feminist education.
Application Requirements
The applicant must be:
- A Gender and Women’s Studies Major
- A senior or, preferably, a junior during the current academic year Have a minimum 3.0 GPA
- Students submit a 500-700-word essay to the GWS Department Office on how majoring in Gender and Women's Studies has impacted your worldview and your life.
The scholarship amount changes annually.
Download the application below:
Shannon L. Hamm Memorial Gender & Women’s Studies Scholarship Application (PDF)
Deadline: April 5th, 2023
The Nayereh & Mahnaz Tohidi Scholarship Endowment was established by GWS Professor Emeritus Nayereh Tohidi and her spouse, Kazem Alamdari, retired Professor of Sociology, both tireless defenders of human and women’s rights. The endowment is in honor of Dr. Mahnaz Tohidi, a dedicated physician whose life was cut short due to the repressive situation in her home country, Iran. The amount awarded for this scholarship is $1000. Students interested in the Nayereh & Mahnaz Tohidi Scholarship must submit a completed application form and an essay or video on a designated topic. The essay or video topic will reflect and be relevant to the human/women’s rights and general societal climate and prevailing issues in gender and women’s studies.
Application Requirements
The applicant must be:
- Any CSUN student in the College of Humanities or Social & Behavioral Sciences who has a gender perspective and is majoring or minoring in the fields of studies that stress gender and sexuality dimensions
- A senior or a junior during the current academic year
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Content and Length of Essay: Students submit a 600-800 word essay, to the GWS Department Office on the designated topic of that year as announced on the GWS website.
This year’s designated topic is:
Many Americans still do not know about the “Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” endorsed by all member states of the United Nations. What is this global convention and why is it important for us to be aware and vigilant about the protection of our human rights?
Download the application below:
Deadline: April 5th, 2023
This award was established by Professor Elizabeth Berry, a co-founder of the Department of Gender & Women’s Studies and long-time supporter of women’s causes. The scholarship is $1,000 per student per year. Students submit an essay or video discussing their commitment to the study of gender and women’s studies. The essay must be 500-700 words and typed double-spaced or a three- minutes video.
Application Requirements
The applicant must be:
- Be a major or minor in GWS
- Have a cumulative GPA greater than or equal to 2.75
- Preferably a student parent
Download the application below:
Women's Research and Resource Center
The Women's Research and Resource Center, supported by the College of Humanities and Associated Students, serves as a place where students on campus and in the community can find resources and services. Find more about the WRRC.
The F-Word
Being a member of The F-Word (formerly the Gender and Women's Studies Student Association, GWSSA) is a great way for Gender and Women's Studies students to contribute to the CSUN campus and find support and camaraderie among their fellow GWS students. Non-majors are very welcome of course.
It also looks great on any resume! Being a member of The F-Word entails participation in one meeting per week, contributing ideas for activities, and helping with the activities as each individual student is able.
The goal of The F-Word is to organize Gender and Women's Studies-related events, activities, career guidance, and campaigns to raise awareness among women and men on the CSUN campus about current women's issues. We are looking for students who want to participate in The F-Word in this academic year.
The F-Word Faculty Advisor
Shira Brown
- Prof. Shira Brown's email:
- Prof. Shira Brown's Phone Number: 818-677-2780
Follow The F-Word on Instagram: @fwordcsun