Shelby Baker, Women Studies Minor
Interviewed September 1, 2011
When and why did you decide to become a Women Studies minor?
I decided to become a Women's Studies Minor the spring semester of my sophomore year, here at the University of North Dakota. I decided to become a Women's Studies Minor because I was instantly hooked on the topic itself. I took Introduction to Women's Studies in the spring of my freshman year and so my sophomore year I wanted to take another Women's Studies class so I took Feminist Theory just because it looked interesting and I'm glad I did because it gave me that extra little nudge to actually become a Women's Studies minor.
What have been your favorite Women Studies courses so far? Why?
I have only taken Intro to Women's Studies and Feminist Theory and I am currently taking Diversity in American Society and Victimology for credit towards my Women's Studies minor so I know I haven't taken a lot of Women's Studies classes yet, but I'm working on it and so far I'm loving all of the courses! They've been so interesting to me because I think of it as an outlet, where I can attend these classes and fully enjoy myself because I specifically joined these classes because I thought they were interesting and at the same time it's fulfilling my requirements of my newly acclaimed minor.
How do you feel that your Women Studies courses have advanced your undergraduate career or otherwise influenced your life?
I feel that my Women's Studies courses have broadened my horizons incredibly. They have made me more aware of my surroundings, how differently people think and feel, people's different outlooks on things. It sounds crazy but I think that my Women's Studies classes have made me grow more as a student and a person than any of my other classes. They have influenced my undergraduate career with being able to open up and share experiences with others, being able to have a better understanding of theory, to be compassionate towards others and their experiences and so much more. I know that my writing skills have advanced as well thanks to my Women's Studies classes.
What are your future plans?
As of right now my future plans are to hopefully graduate with a Biology degree with a Pre-Medicine approach and my minor in Women's Studies. Then to go on to Med school. I don't know for sure where yet, and to hopefully one day become a doctor in family medicine.