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Women's studies programs in Latin America: A source of empowerment
Abstract
Because women's studies programs are a recent phenomenon, dating only from the 1980s, Latin American academicians, researchers and feminists have barely begun to explore the impact of women's studies programs on women students participating in them. This study is an effort to document the importance of women's studies programs in the development of feminism in Latin America and the empowerment of women through higher education. The primary method used in this study is qualitative research and ethnographic interviews to gather the data. I explore the experiences of six women students participating in three of the major women's studies programs in Latin America: El Programa Interdisciplinario de Estudios de la Mujer (The Interdisciplinary Women's Studies Program) of El Colegio de Mexico; El Programa Interdisciplinario de Estudios de la Mujer of La Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica; and the Carrera Interdisciplinaria de Posgrado de Especializacion en Estudios de La Mujer (Interdisciplinary Post-graduate Career Specialization in Women's Studies) of La Universidad de Buenos Aires. A general account of Latin American women's history and a review of the literature on feminist theories, and discussion of women's studies as a social movement are included in this dissertation. My intention is to bring forth new perspectives and interpretations that could contribute to both women's studies programs and to feminism in academe. I also aspire to help fill a gap in feminist scholarship by enabling Latina women to speak for themselves about the impact of women's studies and feminism on their lives.
Subject Area
Higher education|Womens studies
Recommended Citation
Reyes, Migdalia, "Women's studies programs in Latin America: A source of empowerment" (1992). Doctoral Dissertations Available from Proquest. AAI9233143.
https://scholarworks.umass.edu/dissertations/AAI9233143