Gender is a biological, psychological, and cultural construction of paramount importance for people everywhere. It is a fundamental aspect of personal and social identity. In addition, gender is often a criterion for social stratification and different political treatment as well as a favored symbol for expressing essential values and beliefs.

The major in gender studies addresses such varied issues as the biology of human reproduction, sex roles in the family and society, the psychology of gender identity, and images of men and women in literature and art.