Dr. Woidat and the Center for Social Justice Studies

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The Center for Social Justice Studies at SUNY Geneseo work towards an interdisciplinary education that creates a more comprehensive understanding of various identity studies.

Three interdisciplinary majors are combined into the Center for Social Justice Studies, previously known as the Center for Interdisciplinary Programs (renamed in 2023). This center was established in 2021 at SUNY Geneseo and has gained popularity and success among the student body since its introduction. The majors included in the Center for Social Justice Studies are American Studies, Black/African Studies, and Women’s and Gender Studies. Additionally, the Women and Gender Studies major will be renamed to Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies. 

Dr. Woidat, the Director of the center and the American Studies interdisciplinary major, has given some insight into its creation. She said that the center exists because these majors are not exactly affiliated with a department, so it was created to support them. 

The center has three coordinators who each head a major included in the program. Dr. Woidat is the coordinator for American Studies, Dr. Castillo-Rodriguez is the coordinator for Black/African Studies, and Dr. Roth for Women’s and Gender Studies. The program's ideals and courses all overlap, and the coordinators meet to enhance what their programs offer. Dr. Woidat gave the perspective that these three independent majors collaborate the most.

These interdisciplinary majors are constantly rethinking their programs and looking for new enhancements that can be added. The Women’s and Gender Studies major has recently added a new Queer/Sexuality Studies minor that was introduced in the fall. The major also works with many speakers, including notable Rochester drag queen/entertainer Mrs. Kasha Davis, who gave a talk titled Drag is Not a Crime last spring. Last week, students had the opportunity to visit the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and get free tickets to see “Thorgy and Thorchestra.” 

Dr. Woidat gave insight into the flexibility and customization a program like this has to offer. This spoke to the fact that most of the requirements for the majors can be met within many different departments, offering a lot of versatility. She pointed out that this works well in becoming a double major or a concentration. 

Dr. Woidat is also currently working on offering new concentrations to education majors interested in social justice and identity studies. A lot of the discussion centered around the fact that future teachers need the opportunity for further education and more fields to experience. 

Geneseo has a very diverse student body, and it is also a university known for producing teachers. Due to this, what is taught greatly matters. Future educators need to have a vast knowledge of topics and be able to teach those topics comprehensively. As a New York State Public Liberal Arts University, what is being taught is very important to the state’s history. Just by NY holding the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and it being Native American land, this history becomes relevant in what is being taught.

These majors are all very well nationally established and recognized. There are national conferences held for these majors that the coordinators can attend. An abundance of study abroad trips, internships, and conferences are offered within the programs. New York State has always supported these programs and has pushed their growth. The American Studies and Women’s and Gender Studies major also offers a 3+3 program, partnered with University at Buffalo.

Dr. Woidat explained how there is a co-taught course in American Studies. It usually is co-taught by an English and History professor. This gives students valuable insight into learning from multiple standpoints and learning to expand their thinking.