EDUCATION

Women Education: Spain



Women Education: Spain

Table 1. The Educational Institutions of Current Women's Studies Students

University/Institution

Number of present students

(CEM) Alicante University

35

Balear Islands University

16

Leon University

1

Complutense Madrid University

1

Oviedo University

22

Seville University

3

University Rovira i Virgili (Tarragona)

4

NGO (unspecified)

1

Total

83

The majority are taking 1 (57%) or 2 (28%) Women's Studies courses. Of the 8 different types of courses taken ? almost one-half are Women's Studies modules in a different disciplinary area at undergraduate level (48%) ? followed by courses outside educational institutions (30%) ? employment related Women's Studies (8%) ? and adult education (3%). The remaining types of courses taken were doctorates (8%) and postgraduate Women's Studies modules in a different discipline (2%). The length of courses varied from 1 week to 9 months. Courses began between 1998 and 2002 ? with 79% of entrants beginning in 2002.

Upon leaving school between 17 and 20 years ? 98% continued with their studies and 2% entered paid employment. The decision to take a Women's Studies course was made by 5% while working and 95% while at school ? university ? or studying abroad. Universities or colleges were the primary sources for obtaining information on the course taken (75%) ? while the other major sources were friends (14%) and women's organisations (8%) and other organisations (2%). Factors that were very important in the decision to take a Women's Studies course were academic interest (70%) ? awareness of gender inequalities and discrimination against women (67%) ? personal interest (64%) ? gaining a qualification (50%) ? social issues (36%) ? learning with other women (29%) ? feminist activism (14%) ? getting back into education (11%) ? political motivation (11%) ? changing my life (10%) ? improving job opportunities (9%) ? health issues (1%). The experience of persecution and the experience of violence were not important in the decision to take Women's Studies (0% each). A minority (21%) experienced difficulties finding a course to suit their needs.

Of the 12 institutions where courses were being attended ? 9 were universities in Spain and 3 were community organisations.

No students were required to undertake a work placement ? but of those that did ? 1 student was in the public sector ? 1 student was in the private sector and 1 student in the voluntary.

Women's Studies changed 72% of student's understanding of equal opportunities and 57% have become more involved in equal opportunities issues as a consequence of taking a Women's Studies course. While 48% of students expected their Women's Studies courses to have a positive impact on future employment ? 28% found that it did. While 41% expected their Women's Studies course to have an impact on their family life ? 38% found that it did. While 54% expected an impact on their personal life ? 59% found that it did. Almost all students (96%) enjoyed their Women's Studies course ? and 86% said it met their expectations.

Six students intended to study abroad; 1 student through a summer school ? 4 students a semester or year abroad ? and 1 student to undertake research. Between ...