Vicky MacLean, Interim Director
The Women’s and Gender Studies Program offers the Women’s and Gender Studies minor to enhance students’ knowledge and understanding of gender issues and the position of women in society. The program encourages a historically grounded comparative, global feminist perspective. All courses are informed by theories of the social construction of gender and address issues of diversity including race, ethnicity, class, sexual orientation, nationality, age, and/or ability. The program emphasizes an interactive learning process and promotes scholarly research. Students may minor in one of three tracks: Women’s Studies, Gender Studies, or Sexuality Studies.
Upon selecting the Women’s and Gender Studies minor, students should complete a Minor Information Form and obtain advising through the program director.
General Requirements
All students considering a minor in Women’s and Gender Studies should take WGST 2100 as part of General Education requirements. All minors (both tracks) must also take WGST 4500 (completion of WGST 2100 and junior/senior standing required) plus 12 additional hours within an interdisciplinary structure as described below.
Women’s Studies Track
The Women’s Studies track focuses on women’s lives, thoughts, and social positions. The track consists of courses taught from a feminist perspective, within historical and contemporary contexts, incorporating multinational, multicultural, and multiracial points of view.
In addition to WGST 2100 and WGST 4500 , minors taking the Women’s Studies track must complete one additional program (WGST) course plus 9 hours of electives from the full list below. Students may take no more than 3 hours per major field/department.
Gender Studies Track
The Gender Studies track consists of courses that take a feminist approach to offer students knowledge and experience that facilitate intelligent and informed choice and communication regarding the socially constructed meaning of gender and gender issues within our multicultural, globalized society.
In addition to WGST 2100 and WGST 4500 , minors taking the Gender Studies track must complete either SOC 3400 or ANTH 3750 and 6 hours of electives from the following courses:
Sexuality Studies Track
The Sexuality Studies track reflects the contemporary status of multi-disciplinary academic studies of sexuality. Diverse courses within the program and in various departments offer students opportunity to study sexual identities, sexuality and public policy (in local, national, and global levels), sexual relationships, sex work, sex practices and communities, and theories of sexuality and social deviance.
In addition to WGST 2100 , WGST 3010 , and WGST 4500 , minors taking the Sexuality Studies track must complete 9 hours of electives (no more than 6 hours in any department not including WGST) from the following:
