Creating a Personalized Path Through Women’s and Gender Studies
By Matt Morgan
Associate Professor Sharmila Lodhia discusses what the confirmation hearing of Ketanji Brown Jackson teaches us about gender and law during her Preview Week mock class on April 8.
The Supreme Court confirmation hearing of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson was more than a historic moment for America. It was also a fascinating case study in issues of identity, experience, and judicial decision making.
For her Preview Week mock class on April 8 at 4 p.m., women’s and gender studies Associate Professor Sharmila Lodhia will examine gender and law through an intersectional framework using the nomination of Brown Jackson and recent Senate Judiciary confirmation hearings as an entry point.
Lodhia hopes the 30-minute virtual event, titled “Gender and the Law in the U.S.”, shows admitted students from the Class of 2026 how the women’s and gender studies major helps students better understand the world around them.
Sharmila Lodhia
“This is the kind of engaged dialogue and critical discussion that takes place in SCU's classrooms and the variety of cutting-edge topics we take up,” Lodhia says.
In addition to discussing Brown Jackson’s hearing, Lodhia will also answer questions about the women’s and gender studies program. She says the program, which offers a major and minor, allows students the flexibility to create a personalized educational path.
“Students can pursue the interdisciplinary study of gender, race, and sexuality in conjunction with several other majors like Political Science, History, Public Health, Psychology, and Communication,” Lodhia says. “And because of our size, students have the opportunity to build very close mentoring relationships with our faculty that extend in and beyond their time at SCU.”
The mock class is open to all admitted students from the Class of 2026 and will be hosted virtually through Santa Clara’s online portal Bronco Exchange.
Admitted students are encouraged to sign up for virtual events throughout Preview Week and to register for the in-person event on April 9, by visiting the Preview Day website.