/College of Arts and Sciences
Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

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WGSS MAJOR

 

Major Overview

 

The Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies department prepares students to become future professionals, scholars, activists, and artists who engage critically with issues of gender and sexuality across multicultural and transnational contexts. Our mission is to familiarize students with the histories of feminist thought and social movements, teach them to apply feminist, queer, and transgender theories in their writing and research, and train them in developing interdisciplinary, problem-based approaches that can be applied both within academic settings and in broader professional and community contexts.

 

Major Requirements 

 

Course Requirements | 36 Credits, 12 Courses

  • WST 102: Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies in Social Sciences OR WST 103: Gender, Culture, and Difference 
  • WST 291: Introduction to Feminist Theory
  • WST 301: Histories of Feminism
  • WST 305: Feminist Theories in Context
  • WST 408: Senior Research Seminar for Majors

  • WST 395: Topics in Global Feminism or approved other course 
  • WST 398: Topics in Gender, Race, and Ethnicity or approved other course 
  • WST 399: Topics in Gender and Sexuality or approved other course 

  • Any Non-Required WST Course or approved other course

NOTES

  • The courses below are approved to replace WST 395, WST 398, or WST 399
  • Related special topics courses given in various departments are acceptable for the Women’s Studies major and minor with the approval of the undergraduate director. A list will be available on the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Department Website at the start of pre-registration each semester.
  • At least two WST topics courses (taught by WGSS faculty or affiliated instructors) must be used in satisfying Requirement B.
  • No more than six credits from WST 447 - Directed Readings in Women’s and Gender Studies and WST 487 - Independent Project in Women’s and Gender Studies may be applied toward the major.
  • No more than 3 credits of WST 475 - Undergraduate Teaching Practicum I may be counted towards a WST Major.
  • No more than 6 credits of WST 488 - Internship may be counted towards a WST Major.
  • Any course listed as -or cross-listed with- WST may count as an Elective. Other courses may count as qualifying electives if at least half the course content addresses issues concerning women, gender, and/or sexuality. Students may seek advance approval from The Undergraduate Program Director, who can review a course syllabus to determine if the course qualifies as an acceptable Elective. Availability of Elective courses depends on individual departments.

 

Quicklinks

 

Department Links

University Links 

 

Approved Other Courses

 

It is important to note that this is not an exhaustive list of approved other courses. Due to the broad interdisciplinary nature of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, additional courses with relevant themes may also fulfill program requirements. Students should consult the Undergraduate Program Director to request approval for courses not listed here.

Course Options

  • WST 334: Women and Gender in Modern European History
  • WST 360: Women and Gender in Pre-Modern European History
  • WST 350: Black Women and Social Change: A Cross-Cultural Perspective
  • AFS 350: Black Women and Social Change: A Cross-Cultural Perspective
  • WST 382: Black Women’s Literature of the African Diaspora
  • AFH 382: Black Women’s Literature of the African Diaspora
  • EGL 382: Black Women’s Literature of the African Diaspora

  • WST 372: Topics in Women and Literature
  • EGL 372: Topics in Women and Literature
  • WST 237: Images of Italian-American Women
  • HUI 237: Images of Italian-American Women
  • WST 391: Special Topics in Women’s and Gender Studies in the Humanities
  • EGL 369: Topics in Race and Ethnicity in American Literatures and Cultures

  • CCS 325: Culture in Context
  • WST 111: Introduction to Queer Studies in the Humanities
  • WST 112: Introduction to Queer Studies in the Social Sciences
  • WST 394: Special Topics in Medicine, Reproduction, and Gender 
  • WST 381: AIDS, Race, and Gender in the Black Community
  • AFS 381: AIDS, Race, and Gender in the Black Community
  • WST 390: Special Topics in Women’s and Gender Studies in the Humanities
  • WST 374: Historical Perspectives on Gender Orientation
  • WST 340: Sociology of Human Reproduction
  • SOC 340: Sociology of Human Reproduction

  • AAS 331: Japanese Literature in the Feminine Domain
  • AAS 372: Family, Marriage, and Kinship in China
  • AFH 382: Black Women’s Literature of the African Diaspora
  • AFS 345: Culture and Gender: Women in Africa and the Caribbean
  • AFS 350: Black Women and Social Change: A Cross-Cultural Perspective
  • AFS 370: The African-American Family
  • AFS 381: AIDS, Race, and Gender in the Black Community
  • BIO 358: Biology and Human Social and Sexual Behavior
  • CCS 311: Gender and Genre in Film
  • CLL 315: Gender, Sexuality, Race & Ethnicity in Ancient Greek and Roman Literature
  • CLT 122: Images of Women in Literature
  • CLT 123: Sexuality in Literature
  • EGL 276: Feminism: Literature and Cultural Contexts
  • EGL 371: Topics in Gender Studies in Literature
  • HIS 336: Women and Gender in Modern European History
  • HIS 360: Changing Families: US History to 1860
  • HUI 237: Images of Italian-American Women
  • MUS 314: Music, Gender, and Sexuality
  • PHI 284: Introduction to Feminist Theory (III)
  • PHI 384: Advanced Topics in Feminist Philosophy (III)
  • POL 330: Gender Issues in the Law
  • POL 347: Women and Politics
  • PSY 347: Psychology of Women
  • RLS 366: Feminine Spirituality
  • SOC 247: Sociology of Gender
  • SOC 304: Sociology of the Family
  • SOC 340: Sociology of Human Reproduction
  • SOC 371: Gender and Work

 

Undergraduate Contacts

 

Lisa Diedrich

Charles Edwards