A Crucial Test For Feminism

Even supporters worry that some women's studies programs are more about solidarity than scholarship. "Most of them are academically solid," says Deborah Nord, director of Princeton University's program. "But I think there are institutions where women's studies is not an academic endeavor but serves as a support group." For whatever reason, criticism of women's studies does not seem to be having much effect on the ground. From 78 women's studies programs, centers or departments in 1973, the number has grown to 736 today. Here and there, a student changes plans. Jessica Ambrose, a Hamilton College junior, decided to minor rather than major in women's studies because of "the negative connotations associated with it." (Men's Health magazine advises readers to ID "male friendly" colleges by "how cranky" the women's studies department is.) But signs of erosion remain the exception. Even Mandle concedes that "without a distinct women's studies program to push, the history department might not offer a course on Women in Antiquity." Besides, no other course made that young woman in Texas wonder whether a wife-beater costume is so funny after all.

HEATHER WON TESORIERO

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