Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, BA

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Women’s, gender and sexuality studies cultivates a critical awareness of the contributions of women and the impact of gender and sexuality in our lives, both historically and in the contemporary world. Our interdisciplinary scope includes examining these issues from the perspective of politics, anthropology, sociology, psychology, history, philosophy, artistic expression, and literature. The objectives of the program are:

To explore existing knowledge about women, gender, and sexuality across a variety of disciplines
To critically assess the traditional disciplines in the light of new data concerning women, gender and sexualtiy.
To provide an academic foundation for students planning careers in diverse organizations; companies; and communities; women’s, gender and sexuality studies, or related fields
To promote research about women, gender, and sexuality within existing disciplines

Required Courses Credits: 28

WGSS 201 - Introduction to Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Credits: (5)
WGSS 250 - Introduction to Queer Studies Credits: (5)
WGSS 326 - Intersections of Gender, Race, Class, and Sexualities Credits: (5)
WGSS 340 - Gender and Sexuality in a Global Context Credits: (5)
WGSS 351 - Feminist Theory Credits: (5)
WGSS 489 - Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Senior Capstone Credits: (3)

Department-Approved Electives Credits: 18-20

At least two (2) courses from the Humanities/Arts division and two (2) courses from the Social/Natural Science division with no more than 10 credits from any one discipline.

Humanities/Arts, Education and Professional Studies (Choose at least two courses)

COM 402 - Gender Communication Credits: (4)
ENG 335 - Women’s Literature Credits: (5)
HIST 334 - History of Gender and Sexuality in Africa from Pre-colonial Times to the Present Credits: (5)
PHIL 325 - Women and Philosophy Credits: (5)
PUBH 448 - Sexual Health Credits: (3)
TH 377 - Staging Gender Credits: (4)

Social/Natural Sciences (Choose at least two courses)

ANTH 356 - Gender Roles in Cross-cultural Perspective Credits: (4)
ANTH 384 - Language and Gender Credits: (4)
LAJ 403 - Sexual Minorities, the Law, and Justice Credits: (4)
POSC 311 - Women and Politics Credits: (5)
PSY 312 - Queer Theory and Sexuality Credits: (4)
PSY 483 - Psychology of Gender Credits: (4)
SOC 348 - Women and Crime Credits: (5)
SOC 356 - Sociology of Gender Credits: (5)
SOC 357 - Sociology of Families Credits: (5)
SOC 358 - Sociology of Sexualities Credits: (5)
SOC 359 - U.S. Feminist Movements Credits: (5)
Special topics courses, cooperative education projects, and independent study courses may also count toward elective credit.

Total Credits: 46-48

College and Department Information

Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program
College of the Sciences