Women's, Gender, and Sexuality

Undergraduate Degrees

As you explore the prospect of pursuing an undergraduate degree in women and gender studies, you find yourself at the intersection of various disciplines like sociology, history, literature, and cultural studies. You realize that this degree is more than just an academic pursuit; it's a pathway to understanding complex gender dynamics and societal roles. You can tailor your studies to align with your interests, be it feminist theory, LGBTQ+ rights, intersectionality, or global perspectives on gender. The curriculum encourages you to engage in research, debate, and critical thinking, skills that can be applied in numerous professional fields. You notice that your prospective university offers internships, mentorship programs, and connections to grassroots organizations, enhancing your educational experience. As you contemplate this decision, you understand that an undergraduate degree in women and gender studies isn't just an academic choice, but a commitment to becoming an active participant in shaping a more equitable and compassionate world.

The Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies major consists of 28 credits of required courses and 18-20 credits of elective courses in the social sciences and arts/humanities offered across eleven different departments; special topics courses, cooperative education, and individual credits can also count towards electives.

Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (WGSS) Major Requirements

I. Core courses: 28 credits

A. WGSS 201: Introduction to Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (5 cr.)
B. WGSS 250: Introduction to Queer Studies (5 cr.)
C. WGSS 326 Intersections of Race, Class, Gender and Sexuality (5 cr.)
D. WGSS 340 Gender and Sexuality in a Global Context (5 cr.)
E. WGSS 351 Feminist Theory (5 cr.)
F. WGSS 489 Senior Capstone (3 cr.)

II. Elective Credits requirements: 18-20 credits

WGSS elective credits must include at least two courses from the Social/Natural Science division and two courses from the Humanities/Arts, Education and Professional Studies division with no more than 10 credits from any one discipline

Humanities/Arts, Education and Professional Studies

• ENG 335 - Women's Literature
• ENG 337 - Gender, Sexuality, and LGBTQ+ Literatures
• COM 402 - Gender Communication
• HIST 334 - History of Gender & Sexuality in Africa from Pre-colonial Times to Present
• HIST 344 - American Manhood in Historical Perspective
• HED 488 - Sexual Health
• PHIL 325 - Women and Philosophy
• PUBH 420 - Women's Health Issues
• PUBH 448 - Sexual Health
• RELS 376 - Women and Western Religious Tradition
• TH 377 - Staging Gender

Social/Natural Sciences

• ANTH 356 - Gender Roles in Cross-Cultural Perspectives
• ANTH 384 - Language and Gender
• LAJ 403 - Sexual Minorities the Law and Social Justice
• LAJ 453 - Domestic Violence Issues
• POSC 311 - Women and Politics
• PSY 312 - Queer Theory and Sexuality
• PSY 483 - Physchology of Gender
• SOC 348 - Women and Crime
• SOC 356 - Sociology of Gender
• SOC 357 - Sociology of Families
• SOC 358 - Sociology of Sexualities 
• SOC 359 - U.S. Feminist Movements

Total Credits: 46-48