University of Iowa ditches gender studies department, opens School of Social and Cultural Analysis

The University of Iowa is closing its Gender, Women’s, and Sexuality Studies Department and replacing it with a newly created School of Social and Cultural Analysis. The decision, announced earlier this month, follows a broader trend among public universities, particularly in conservative-led states, to scale back diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within higher education.

In a press release, the university detailed its plans: "Under the proposed plan, the college would close the departments of American Studies and Gender, Women’s, and Sexuality Studies, as well as the current majors in American Studies and in Social Justice, which have fewer than 60 students combined, and create a new major in Social and Cultural Analysis.”

The change comes after Iowa passed SF 2435, a law that limits state universities in funding DEI offices, according to Campus Reform. It was signed by Governor Kim Reynolds earlier this year.

Sara Sanders, Dean of the University of Iowa’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS), expressed optimism about the changes, saying the university is “excited to reposition these programs for the future.”

"The creation of a School of Social and Cultural Analysis would allow us to build on our considerable legacy in areas that are essential to our mission, while creating more sustainable structures and room for innovative new curricula,” she said.

Cornelia Lang, associate dean for undergraduate education in the college, emphasized the potential benefits for students in the new major, explaining it “would be able to connect their individual experiences and ideas to larger social contexts.”

"This would prepare them well for potential careers or graduate work in cultural studies and related fields through highly adaptable skills like analytical thinking, effective communication, and research,” Lang added.

The restructuring mirrors actions taken by other universities in response to shifting political and legal pressures regarding DEI. Florida recently restricted or banned state funding for DEI programs at public universities, prompting universities in the state to change course. Similarly, the University of Michigan recently eliminated a DEI statement requirement for faculty hiring.