<p>Berkeley has been the major source of gender studies related work since the inception of the field. Their star ‘big name’ faculty is Judith Butler, who is currently teaching this spring at Columbia University. (Columbia has given her the option to remain as full-time faculty and, if she does, it will certainly harm Berkeley’s reputation in the gender studies area). She, of course, remains a very controversial academic in the field. </p>
<p>In terms of leading the gender studies field, Berkeley has been been doing that for the past two decades easily. </p>
<p>If you’re looking for the ‘best’ in terms of faculty strength, financial aid, class sizes, etc. then Berkeley may not be the ‘best’ if you’re looking for high FA and small class sizes. If you’re looking for who has the best faculty, definitely Berkeley. </p>
<p>While the research interests of faculty may not be of the utmost concern of incoming undergraduates, it is something to take into consideration - it determines which ‘direction’ a particular school’s faculty may be inclined towards. A very famous gender writer, Kate Bornstein is also a graduate of Brown (studied theater, but her books are read by almost every undergraduate studying gender). Brown certainly also has the small class sizes and good FA. </p>
<p>@OP </p>
<p>What are your stats? What can you afford? Do you have regional preferences for schools? etc.?</p>