According to its mission statement, Saint Mary's mission is to educate women through a broad-based course of study that encourages depth and breadth of knowledge, competence in quantitative skills and modern languages, the ability to think clearly about complex problems, and the capacity to communicate with precision and style. It also states that our college is committed to forming a liberally educated woman, who is prepared for roles of leadership and action. Currently, the revision of Saint Mary's General Education requirements is in progress and in the spirit of our college's mission, the intent of a liberal arts education, and the importance of feminism in our culture, WE, THE UNDERSIGNED SAINT MARY'S COLLEGE STUDENTS, ALUMNI AND FACULTY ARE REQUESTING THAT A WOMEN'S STUDIES PROGRAM COURSE BE MADE A PART OF SAINT MARY'S COLLEGE'S GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS. Philosophy, religious studies, art, math and other graduation requirements of a liberal arts education create a well-rounded scholar. We believe that at a women's college, the core curriculum should create a well-rounded WOMAN scholar. Introduction to Women's Studies and the Women's Studies program courses give young women, a demographic shown to disdain feminism today, a fresh perspective on how their gender has influenced their lives and choices. They are empowering courses with unique material that may not be encountered in other core requirements. Given our identity as a liberal arts college for Women, it seems imperative that at least one Women's Studies designated course be part of the Gen Ed curriculum, particularly given the impact/effectiveness of these courses on individual students' academic and personal growth as well as the dynamic and wide-reaching scope of our program with Women's Studies designated courses being offered in almost every discipline. Also, as Saint Mary's looks to expand its national reputation for excellence as a College for WOMEN, it would be a disservice to our students and to the college to not consider Women's Studies as an integral part of a Saint Mary's Education. Our mission states that, Saint Mary's pays particular attention to the rights and responsibilities of women in the worlds of work, church, community, and family. We believe the designated courses within the Women's Studies program best exemplify this focus, and are a necessary piece to the liberal education of women at Saint Mary's College.

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