Women's Studies

Women’s Studies at Hofstra University offers interdisciplinary courses taught by full-time faculty in the arts, humanities, and social sciences who have expertise in women’s and gender issues. Many of these courses fulfill the University’s interdisciplinary distribution requirement. Hofstra offers a major and a minor in women’s studies, both of which are composed of women’s studies courses and courses offered by departments across the disciplines that address women's and gender issues. Students who major in women's studies can elect a double major in another academic discipline. The internship component of the major provides students with practical experience that will benefit them as they seek job placement upon graduation.

The mission of women's studies is:

1. To study women and gender from feminist perspectives, valuing previously marginalized experiences, histories, texts, and aesthetic sensibilities;
2. To implement curricular and pedagogical innovations attentive to the complex relationships between power and knowledge;
3. To create an academic community supportive of feminist scholarship and to nurture subsequent generations of feminist scholars and activists;
4. To contribute through our work as scholars and educators to the project of building a world in which all people enjoy intellectual, social, economic, and political freedom and equality.

To this end, the Women's Studies program at Hofstra University seeks to educate our campus community about the experiences of women in particular, and about human diversity in its many forms through our undergraduate curriculum and cocurricular events. We offer a major and a minor that integrate knowledge across established disciplinary divisions. In our courses, students learn about the social, economic, political, intellectual, and creative contributions of women, past and present, examine the similarities and differences among women within and across cultures and at different historical moments, and study how gender in combination with race and ethnicity, social class, sexual orientation, national origin, and physical ability shapes the lives of men and women. The interdisciplinary and cross-cultural approaches to intellectual inquiry, the focus on women, and the analysis of gender undertaken in our women's studies courses complement, extend, and at times challenge the knowledge students learn in discipline-based courses. Our courses cultivate intellectual tools that enrich our students' understanding of their own lived experience, the communities they inhabit, and the world beyond.

Learning goal: Students will demonstrate knowledge of social, economic, political, intellectual, and cultural contributions of women, past and present.

Objectives:

1. Describe the social, economic, political, intellectual, or cultural contributions of one or more women
2. Analyze scholarship, literature, art, music, dance, theatre, or film created by or performed by one or more women

Learning goal: Students will develop an understanding of how gender combines with nationality, race and ethnicity, religion, social class, sexual orientation, and physical ability to shape the experiences of men and women, including themselves.

Objectives:

1. Read and respond to feminist scholarship
2. Examine the similarities and differences among women within and across cultures and at different historical moments
3. Describe gender socialization and its consequences in a particular society
4. Identify gender and sex-based inequalities in a particular society
5. Analyze how these factors – with the privileges and disadvantages they confer – have shaped one's own experiences, presumptions, viewpoints, and sense of identity

Learning goal: Students will acquire the analytical tools to explicate the social and aesthetic values encoded in cultural texts of various kinds, with particular attention to the ways in which texts reproduce or contest gendered norms.

Objectives:

1. Recognize the reproduction of normative assumptions about sex and gender in a text
2. Explain how a text resists normative assumptions about sex and gender through its content or formal strategies

Learning goal: Students will engage in interdisciplinary approaches to intellectual inquiry.

Objectives:

1. Read and discuss interdisciplinary feminist scholarship
2. Read and discuss scholarship from more than one discipline in the same class
3. Employ interdisciplinary feminist scholarship, methodologies, modes of analysis, or theoretical perspectives in a paper, oral presentation, or research project
4. Integrate scholarship, methodologies, modes of analysis, or theoretical perspectives from more than one discipline in a paper, oral presentation, or research project

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
125 Broad Street
19th Floor
New York, NY 10004
Phone: 212-607-3300
Website
Legal internships – Students will be involved with either the ACLUF national security project, ACLU LGBT & AIDS project, ACLUF immigrants' rights project, or ACLUF affiliate support and advocacy department.

Amnesty International – New York Internship Program
“Amnesty International is a global movement of millions of people demanding human rights for all people – no matter who they are or where they are. We are the world's largest grassroots human rights organization.”
5 Penn Plaza
New York, NY 10001
Phone: 212-807-8400
nyinternshipcoordinator@aiusa.org
Website

The Audre Lorde Project (ALP)
85 South Oxford Street
Brooklyn, NY 11217-1607
Phone: 718-596-0342
Website
The Audre Lorde Project specializes in working towards progressive social and economic change for LGBTSTGNC (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Two Spirit, Trans & Gender Non- Conforming) people of color. Interns can work in fields ranging from immigrant rights to fundraising.

Brooklyn Community Foundation – Reproductive Justice Activists
Website

Brooklyn Historical Society
128 Pierrepont Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Phone: 718-222-4111
Website

Brooklyn Museum - The Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art
200 Eastern Parkway
Brooklyn, NY 11238
Phone: 718-638-5000
Website
“The Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art is an exhibition and education facility dedicated to feminist art – its past, present, and future. Among the most ambitious, influential, and enduring artistic movements to emerge in the late 20th century, feminist art has played a leading role in the art world over the last 40 years. Dramatically expanding the definition of art to be more inclusive in all areas, from subject matter to media, feminist art reintroduced the articulation of socially relevant issues after an era of aesthetic ‘formalism,' while pioneering the use of performance and audiovisual media within a fine art idiom.”

Bust Magazine  
Website
“Founded in 1993, the BUST brand is the groundbreaking, original women's lifestyle magazine and website that is unique in its ability to connect with bright, cutting-edge, influential young women. With an attitude that is fierce, funny, and proud to be female, BUST addresses a refreshing variety of young women's interests, including celebrity interviews, music, fashion, art, crafting, sex, and news. Hip, humorous, and honest, BUST is a cheeky celebration of all things female and a trusted authority on up-and-coming trends among discerning, educated, and culturally aware women.”

Carecen – Central American Refuge Center
https://www.carecenny.org/volunteer
91 N. Franklin Street, Ste. 208
Hempstead, NY 11550
Phone: 516-489-8330

Rising Ground
151 Lawrence Street, 5th floor
Brooklyn, New York 11201
Phone: 646-315-7633
Website 
Rising Ground, a leading nonprofit human services organization, provides children, adults, and families in the greater New York City area, with the resources and skills needed to help them rise above adversity and positively direct their lives.

EMILY's List
1120 Connecticut Ave. NW
Suite 1100
Washington, DC 2003
Phone: 202-326-1400
Website
EMILY's list, or Early Money is Like Yeast, is an organization "dedicated to electing pro-choice Democratic women to every level of office." Internships are available in communications, finance/administrative, information technology, major gifts, marketing, new media, political, research, and WOMEN VOTE!

Feminist Majority Foundation
1600 Wilson Boulevard
Suite 801
Arlington, VA 22209
Phone: 703-522-2214
Website
The Feminist Majority Foundation seeks highly motivated undergraduate students with an interest in public policy and political science, particularly in areas concerning gender, human rights, and development. Interns must demonstrate a strong academic record and preferably have a background in the feminist movement and/or feminist issues.

The Feminist Press at CUNY
365 Fifth Avenue
Suite 5406
New York, NY 10016
Phone: 212-817-7915
internships@feministpress.org
Website
The Feminist Press is a nonprofit looking for interns interested in feminism, gender equality, freedom of expression, and social justice issues.

GEMS – Girls Educational & Mentoring Service
298 W 149th St #1
New York, NY 10039-2741
Phone: 212-926-8089
resumes@gems-girls.org
Website
"Girls Educational and Mentoring Services' (GEMS) mission is to empower girls and young women, ages 12–24, who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking to exit the commercial sex industry and develop to their full potential. GEMS is committed to ending commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking of children by changing individual lives, transforming public perception, and revolutionizing the systems and policies that impact sexually exploited youth."

Girl Scouts of Nassau County
110 Ring Road West
Garden City, NY 11530
Denise Ingenito 516-741-2550
ingenitod@gsnc.org
Website
Girl Scouts of Nassau County has internships that allow students to work directly with girls, as well as indirect service internships working in their marketing, fund development, and product program departments.

Lambda Legal
20 Wall Street
Suite 1500
New York, NY  10005-3904
Phone: 212-809-8585
Website
Lambda Legal is a national organization committed to the full recognition of civil right for those in the LGBT community, as well as those with HIV. They work to achieve this goal via litigation, education, and public policy work. As a result, they offer internships in the legal field, development field, and in education and public affairs.

League of Women Voters of the City of New York
4 West 43rd Street
Suite 615
New York, NY 10036
Phone: 212-725-3541
lwvnyc@hotmail.com
Website
"The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy." There is no official application, so for more information call or email the office.

Legal Momentum
395 Hudson Street
New York, NY 10014
Phone: 212-925-6635

1101 14th Street, NW, Suite 300
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: 202-326-0040
Website
Legal Momentum is the "nation's oldest legal defense and education fund dedicated to advancing the rights of women and girls." They have an offices in Washington, D.C. and New York City. Both locations offer internships in public policy and advocacy, communication and marketing, accounting, and development.

MADRE 
21 West 27th Street # 301
New York, NY 10001 USA
Phone: 212-627-0444
madre@madre.org
“MADRE's focus is for global women's rights, helping women in conflict, women fighting climate change, and women experiencing sexual violence.”
https://www.madre.org/jobs-internships

NARAL- New York
470 Park Avenue South, 7th Floor
New York, NY 10016
Phone: 212-343-0114
Website
NARAL Pro-Choice America works to ensure the availability of safe and legal abortions, effective contraceptive options, and quality reproductive health care. Internships are available in Community Organization, Communication/Multimedia, and Adolescent Health Care Communication. See website for more details.

National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
80 Maiden Lane
Suite 1504
New York, NY 10038
(Multiple offices all over the nation)
Phone: 212-604-9830
Website
"The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force has worked to eliminate prejudice, violence, and injustice against gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people at the local, state, and national level since its inception in 1973. As part of a broader social justice movement for freedom, justice, and equality, the Task Force is creating a world that respects and celebrates the diversity of human expression and identity where all people may fully participate in society." They offer a variety of positions, see the website above for full details and more information on how to apply.

National Organization for Women (NOW)
1100 H Street NW, 3rd floor
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: 202-628-8669
Website
Founded in 1966, NOW is the largest feminist organization in the United States. "An important element of our program is comprehensive leadership training." Interns have "frequent opportunities to organize and attend Congressional and U.S. Supreme Court hearings, press conferences, demonstrations, and rallies," as well as "training in our successful, time-honored grassroots organizing, including workshops, on-campus organizing, coalition building, and networking."

NOW – New York City
Website

The OpEd Project
260 Fifth Avenue, 9th floor
New York, New York 10001 
info@theopedproject.org
Website
On the whole, women currently do not submit op-eds with anywhere near the frequency that men do. At the OpEd project they are looking to change that. Through various programs, they work to encourage all sorts of women to be more vocal in sharing their opinions in print.

Planned Parenthood Nassau County – Hempstead
540 Fulton Ave
Hempstead, NY 11550
Phone: 516-750-2500
Website
Planned Parenthood is a well-known and well-established center for reproductive health care, sexuality education, and pro-choice advocacy. There are multiple branches in Nassau County, the closest is a short distance from Hofstra's campus down Fulton Ave. You can either visit the website above and search for volunteer and internship opportunities, or call PPNC's public affairs and education department - 516-750-2665.

Queens Treatment Court
“The student will be working in the office of Judge Marsha Hirsch, Supreme Court, New York state, Queens County, criminal term and will learn all aspects of working within the diversion/treatment court's office. They may be involved with any or all of the following programs: drug treatment court, drug diversion court, veteran’s court, DWI court, and the mental health court.”
Contact: Robin Flaton, robin.a.flaton@hofstra.edu

Sakhi for South Asian Women
“Sakhi for South Asian Women exists to represent the South Asian diaspora in a survivor-led movement for gender justice and to honor the collective and inherent power of all survivors of violence. Sakhi is committed to serving survivors through a combination of efforts including, but not limited to, direct services, advocacy and organizing, and technical assistance. Website

#Say Her Name – African American Policy Forum
“The African American Policy Forum (AAPF) is an innovative think tank that connects academics, activists, and policymakers to promote efforts to dismantle structural inequality. We promote frameworks and strategies that address a vision of racial justice that embraces the intersections of race, gender, class, and the array of barriers that disempower those who are marginalized in society.”
Website

Supreme Court, New York State, Queens County civil term
The student will be working in the office of Judge Leonard Livote Supreme Court, New York state, Queens County civil term. The student will be responsible for legal research for the non-jury trials conducted by Judge Livote and will assist in drafting decisions and answering questions from attorneys and litigants. Administrative duties include the preparation and processing of preliminary conference decisions, assistance in keeping the courts calendar, and technical/computer support. The student will represent Judge Livote to attorneys and accept preliminary conference proposals and submissions on behalf of the Preliminary Conference office. Civil term is a very busy work environment and there are over 100 cases a day on the calendar.  The workload is great and because of this, the student will have a broad range of experiences learning about the inner workings of the judicial system.
Contact: Dr. Robin Flaton, robin.a.flaton@hofstra.edu

Turning Point for Women and Families
“Based in Flushing NY, TPWF addresses the needs of Muslim women and children through crisis intervention, individual and group counseling, advocacy, outreach, education, and training.”
Website

The Washington Center
“The Washington Center offers Hofstra students the opportunity to become interns in Congress, the Executive Branch, the Federal Judiciary, private companies, and various nongovernmental organizations, for a semester (16 credits) or a summer (6 credits). Requires a junior class standing and at least a 3.0 GPA; 9 credits of PSC or related courses are strongly recommended, so as to understand the policymaking environment. HCLAS faculty liaison: Rosanna Perotti in the Political Science Department (rosanna.perotti@hofstra.edu).
https://twc.edu/

Winthrop/Stony Brook-LIDA Doula Project
“NYU Winthrop Hospital and Stony Brook University Hospital have partnered with the Long Island Doula Association to provide an opportunity to volunteers seeking to improve birthing outcomes for mothers in our community. We train individuals interested in offering continuous, evidence-based support to women in labor. We are interested in Hofstra students across the board because doulas are not medical personnel but rather persons interested in the birth journey and committed to empowering women to achieve it safely, with dignity and satisfaction.

Contact Professor Burlein for updated training information or email Winthroplida@gmail.com or Stonybrooklida@gmail.com
Website

The Women's Media Center
320 West 37th Street
Floor 12A, Suite C
New York, NY 10018
Website
The Women's Media Center strives to make women more visible and powerful in the media, whether that be women's stories being told, or women telling the stories. Current positions include program intern, social media intern, development intern, and communications intern.