Faculty Profile
Megan Yost
(she/her/hers)Associate Professor of Psychology and Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies (2006); Prague Program Director, Fall 2024
Contact Information
Denny Hall Room 205
717-245-1357
Bio
Professor Yost received her Ph.D. in Social Psychology and Feminist Studies from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Her research examines the gendered nature of human sexuality from a social psychological perspective. She is interested in the ways in which traditional conceptualizations of masculinity and femininity impact sexuality, including around issues of sexual consent. She is also interested in prejudice and discrimination against LGBTQ+ people and other sexual minorities. Prof Yost teaches interdisciplinary courses on gender, sexuality, and qualitative research methods.
Education
- B.S., St. Lawrence University, 1998
- M.S., University of California, Santa Cruz, 2003
- Ph.D., 2006
2025-2026 Academic Year
Fall 2025
FYSM 100 First-Year Seminar
The First-Year Seminar (FYS) introduces students to Dickinson as a "community of inquiry" by developing habits of mind essential to liberal learning. Through the study of a compelling issue or broad topic chosen by their faculty member, students will:
- Critically analyze information and ideas
- Examine issues from multiple perspectives
- Discuss, debate and defend ideas, including one's own views, with clarity and reason
- Develop discernment, facility and ethical responsibility in using information, and
- Create clear academic writing
The small group seminar format of this course promotes discussion and interaction among students and their professor. In addition, the professor serves as students' initial academic advisor. This course does not duplicate in content any other course in the curriculum and may not be used to fulfill any other graduation requirement.
PSYC 210 Analysis of Psychological Data
Completion of both PSYC 210 and PSYC 211 fulfills the WID Requirement. Permission of Instructor Required.
PSYC 550 Independent Research
PSYC 560 Stu/Faculty Collaborative Rsch
Spring 2026
WGSS 306 Gender Iden & Sexualities
Cross-listed with PSYC 435-01. In this advanced seminar, we will discuss current psychological theory and research relating to gender identity, sexual orientation, sexual identity, and sexual practices. The course is designed to acquaint you with some of the key issues, questions, and findings in this field, as well as to allow you to develop some of the critical skills needed to evaluate research findings. We will discuss topics such as traditional and alternative gender identities; gender socialization in childhood; transgender and nonbinary identities; the development of heterosexual, and LGBTQ+ identities; the relationship between gender and sexual orientation; social pressures and compulsory heterosexuality, heterosexism, and sexual prejudice; and alternative sexual practices and communities. Because gender and sexuality do not exist independently of other social identities, we will regularly consider the intersection of gender and sexuality with other identities (e.g., race, age, social class). This discussion-based course is designed to encourage deep, thoughtful analysis of issues surrounding gender and sexuality. This course counts towards the PSYC major/minor, the WGSS major, and WGSS/SXST minors (thematics: Sexual & Gendered Pluralities; QLGBT Perspectives).
PSYC 435 Gender Iden & Sexualities
Cross-listed with WGSS 306-01. In this advanced seminar, we will discuss current psychological theory and research relating to gender identity, sexual orientation, sexual identity, and sexual practices. The course is designed to acquaint you with some of the key issues, questions, and findings in this field, as well as to allow you to develop some of the critical skills needed to evaluate research findings. We will discuss topics such as traditional and alternative gender identities; gender socialization in childhood; transgender and nonbinary identities; the development of heterosexual, and LGBTQ+ identities; the relationship between gender and sexual orientation; social pressures and compulsory heterosexuality, heterosexism, and sexual prejudice; and alternative sexual practices and communities. Because gender and sexuality do not exist independently of other social identities, we will regularly consider the intersection of gender and sexuality with other identities (e.g., race, age, social class). This discussion-based course is designed to encourage deep, thoughtful analysis of issues surrounding gender and sexuality. This course counts towards the PSYC major/minor, the WGSS major, and WGSS/SXST minors (thematics: Sexual & Gendered Pluralities; QLGBT Perspectives).