Women's Studies Courses in Teacher Education.

Overview & Synopsis

The status of women's studies courses in teacher education was studied through the survey responses of 111 coordinators and directors of women's studies programs at colleges and universities. The findings were that 47 of the institutions offered women's studies courses in teacher education and that few teacher education programs had attempted to integrate women's studies into the curriculum. It is noted that the lack of such courses is a serious problem which merits the attention of both women's studies specialists and teacher educators. In reviewing respondents' reasons for not offering women's studies courses in teacher education, lack of receptivity and expertise on the part of teacher education faculty was cited. It is recommended that responsibility needs to be assumed by both women's studies and teacher education program directors. It is suggested that, although women's studies have historically been housed in, and more oriented to, the liberal arts curriculum, there can be heightened awareness of the needs and importance of women's studies in teacher education programs. Among conclusions drawn is that teacher educators will sometimes need to take the initiative in requesting assistance from women's studies programs in the development of courses or in integrating women's studies throughout the curriculum. (JD)