This $500 prize will be awarded each spring semester for an exemplary essay that engages with feminist theory, queer theory, critical race theory, or another theoretical body of work in GWSS. The essay must have been written for a class or other academic credit during the previous calendar year. (For example: the inaugural 2025 award will be given to an essay written in 2024.)
Essays must be nominated and submitted by a faculty member, with permission from the student. Faculty will be asked to upload the document and may opt to submit additional comments. The deadline for uploading nominations is the date that fall grades are due to the registrar.
The prize selection subcommittee will convene early in the spring semester and will consist of volunteers from the GWSS Program Committee.
The winner will be announced by March 1.
Criteria for Exemplary Theoretical Work in GWSS:
- Substantively engages with one or more of the following: feminist theory, critical race theory, or another body of work drawn from the field of GWSS.
- States a clear thesis.
- Engages in a nuanced analysis that engages one or more theorists.
- Includes a strong conclusion.
- Well-written, including appropriate citation for the course for which it was written.
- Written during the current calendar year.
Please direct any questions about this prize or submissions to Tammy Nyden, nyden@grinnell.edu.