(The Lion) — One public university in the Midwest isn’t exactly getting rid gender studies, but the area of study may soon exist under a new name.
The University of Iowa plans to shut down its Department of Gender, Women’s and Sexuality Studies, as well as the Department of American Studies, the school recently announced. The departments have fewer than 60 students combined.
The plan follows the Board of regents’ recent decision to dial down diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies, Fox News reported.
The school plans to condense these programs into a “School of Social and Cultural Analysis” and offer a major with the same name.
“Right now, these programs are administered by multiple department chairs and multiple directors,” said Roland Racevskis, associate dean in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, in a press release from the school. “Under this proposed plan, the school would have a single leadership team dedicated to overseeing the operations of the programs. This new structure would provide better coordination of curriculum across these related programs, easier pathways for degree completion, and support for interdisciplinary research opportunities.”
The new major will combine aspects of African American Studies; American Studies; Gender, Women’s, and Sexuality Studies; Jewish Studies; Latino Studies; and Native American and Indigenous Studies, according to The Gazette.
The board of regents is expected to approve the proposed change at its February meeting. The change would take effect on July 1.