Women's and Gender studies is an interdisciplinary field that explores the overlooked and often devalued historical and contemporary roles, experiences, and achievements of women. Women have made important contributions in traditionally defined “male pursuits” (politics, science, art, etc.) and have also challenged dominant ideologies by highlighting the importance of traditional women’s spheres of nurturing and family. Women’s experiences and participation have lead to the reexamination of long-held interpretations and conventional wisdoms in a wide variety of academic fields. Women's and Gender Studies examines the intersections of gender, race, and class, and also considers how gender roles are constructed in different global cultures and historical periods. Uniting all women and gender studies inquiries is the effort to understand and explain inequality between men and women, and to envision the possibility of new social practices that could bring about greater equality and mutual understanding.

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