Major in Women's and Gender Studies

The A.B. in Women’s and Gender Studies will allow students to benefit from systematic, in-depth exposure to the new scholarship on women and gender.

Download the Application for a Major in Women's and Gender Studies

The major will:

1.  expose students to interdisciplinary perspectives,
2. enable students to appreciate diversity,
3. expand international awareness,
4. equip students with critical and analytical skills,
5. prepare students for graduate and professional schools, and
6. provide background for working with women in the public and private sectors.

The curriculum calls for courses in a foreign language, statistics and computing, and an introductory Women’s Studies course to be followed by nine courses at the 3000 and 4000 levels. Among the latter are three requirements: Introduction to Feminist Theories, Understanding Research in Women’s and Gender Studies, and a Senior Seminar in Women’s and Gender Studies - or "capstone course." Electives include options for either an internship or a thesis, and study abroad.  Many students elect to double-major. For more detailed information, consult the Women’s and Gender Studies Major Handbook.

Major Requirements

A grade of "C" or better in each course is required. With the exception of WGST courses, no more than two courses may be taken in the same department (or have the same prefix). No more than two courses may be taken with the same instructor.

Required Courses for the Major (15 hours)
WGST 3010 • WGST 3110 • WGST 4010 • WGST 4011 • WGST 4900

Major Electives (12 hours)
Choose at least two upper-level (3000-5000 level) courses with a WGST prefix (not including the above required courses) and up to two upper-level courses from the list of approved courses below. If students select three to four upper-level courses with a WGST prefix, they will be expected to select zero to one course for the below list respectively.   

Approved Electives:
AFAM(PSYC) 4500/6500
ARHI 3940
ARHI 4940/6940
CMLT 3140
CMLT 3220
ENGL 3300
FILM 4600/6600
GEOG 4680/6680
HIST 3085
HIST 3086
HIST(CLAS) 3321
HIST 3322
HIST 3323
HIST 3324
HIST(AFST) 3530
HIST 4080/6080
HPRB 3150
JRLC 5400
LEGL 4500/6500
LING(CMLT) 4870/6870
PHIL 3210
PHIL 4700/6700
POLS 4750
PSYC 4600/6600
RELI 4105/6105 
RELI 4106/6106
SOCI 3280
SOCI 3290
SOCI(AFAM) 3300
SOCI(WMST) 4280 
COMM 4370/6370
THEA 4280/6280
THEA 4300/6300
WGST(LACS) 3500
WGST(AFAM) 4060/6060
WGST(MUSI) 4310/6310
WGST(MUSI) 4320/6320
WGST(LACS) 4500/6500 

Students may also choose from the following courses for no more than six hours total credit:  WGST 4950, WGST 4960R, WGST 4970R, WGST 4980R, WGST 4990R, WGST 5000. Study abroad options must be handled on an individual basis with the undergraduate coordinator.

In addition to the above courses, women's and gender studies students may take relevant special topics courses in other departments. Some of these special topics courses have been permanently approved, while others must be petitioned for inclusion. Paperwork for petitioning courses can be found on the women's and gender studies website. It is expected that petitioned courses will have significant focus on gender and/or feminist theory.

General Electives (33 hours)

Upper division (12 hours) plus any level (21 hours)