Minor in Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies
The women’s, gender and sexuality studies minor gives students the opportunity to understand the complex relationships between gender, class, ethnic and race structures; to understand feminist theory and methodological perspectives and their substantial contributions to social and public policy analysis; to develop the ability to reach out to community and non-profit organizations concerned with social equality; and to develop international understandings and perspectives.
Requirements
Students must take 15 hours of course work: three required courses and two electives. Required courses include:
- WGS 200: Introduction to Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies
- WGS 300: Introduction to Feminist Theories or WGS 380: Black Feminist Theory
- WGS 492: Theoretical Issues in Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies
Elective Courses
- ANT/WGS 444: Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Women
- COM/WGS 362: Communication and Gender
- ENG/WGS 305: Women and Literature
- ENG/WGS 308: Contemporary Issues in Ecofeminism
- ENG/WGS 327: Language and Gender
- HI/WGS 423: Women in European Enlightenment
- HI/WGS 447: American Women to 1900
- HI/WGS 448: American Women in the 20th Century
- STS/WGS 210: Women and Gender in Science and Technology
- WGS 220: Men and Masculinity
- WGS 310: Internship in Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies
- WGS 330: Women and Health
- WGS 350: Emerging Issues in Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies
- WGS/AFS: 380 Black Feminist Theory
- MUS/WGS: 360 Women and Music
- PS/WGS 418: Gender, Law, and Policy
- PSY/WGS 406: Psychology of Gender
- SOC/WGS 204: Sociology of the Family
- SOC/WGS 304: Women and Men in Society
- SOC/WGS 407: Sociology of Sexualities
- WGS/REL 473/573: Religion, Gender, and Reproductive Technologies
- WGS 493: Topics in Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies
*Special topics in a variety of disciplines may be taken with the approval of the Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies Curriculum Committee.
Please be aware that a maximum of one (1) course may be used (double-counted) towards both this minor and departmental major requirements.
Admission
Students can apply for admission to any university minor program in MyPack Portal. Admission will be based on the student’s academic record, and in most cases no longer requires departmental review.
Certification
The minor must be completed no later than the semester in which the student expects to graduate from his or her degree program. Students can monitor their progress toward completing the minor by viewing their Minor Degree Audit online, anytime, in MyPack Portal.
Please note that the minor degree audit does not track whether students are in compliance with double-counting limitations between major requirements and minor requirements. Therefore, students should not rely solely on the minor degree audit. They should refer to the detailed requirements outlined on the official university minors website for guidance and reach out to the minor advisor listed there to discuss course plans and ensure they’re on track.