Women’s and Gender Studies Department

Objectives

Women’s and Gender Studies is an interdisciplinary field of study that takes gender and sexuality as central categories of analysis, recognizing how they have served as constitutive categories for making meaning in human history. We work to reframe the place of gender and sexuality as foundational to the workings of social, cultural, political, economic, and aesthetic systems. Women’s and Gender Studies draws on the methodologies and theories of a variety of disciplines because gender and sexuality cross all fields of inquiry. As a field of study, it instigates critical engagement with challenging questions central to our times. Rooted in activism for social justice and gender equity, Women’s and Gender Studies generates powerful, “real-world” connections between the classroom and our communities.

Minor

The Women’s and Gender Studies minor enables students to develop a core of information supportive of a major in an academic discipline, as well as increases opportunities for post-graduate study or employment.

Requirements for the Minor

Open to all undergraduates. The Women’s and Gender Studies Minor consists of 18 s.h. Required courses include WMST 130 - Gender, Power and Difference 3 s.h. ; and a choice of either WMST 299 /WMST 399 - Independent Study in Women’s and Gender Studies 1 s.h. - 3 s.h. (content and credit must be arranged in advance and individually approved), WMST 397 - Women’s and Gender Studies Internship 3 s.h. - 6 s.h. : Women centered work experience (to be arranged with the project director with the approval of the Chair of Women’s and Gender Studies and include an approved field setting) or WMST 398 - Seminar in Women’s and Gender Studies 3 s.h. ; or ALS 353 /WMST 353 - Sex & Race in Science & Technology 3 s.h. . Twelve semester hours of courses are to be selected for the approved list of electives.

Additional Special Topics courses, offered in Women’s and Gender Studies or other departments, may count as electives with the approval of the Women’s and Gender Studies department chair.

Programs

Minor

Women’s and Gender Studies Minor