Women’s and gender studies

A minor in women’s and gender studies may be combined with any major.

Minor in women’s and gender studies

18 credit hours

• Any WGS or cross-listed courses, selected in consultation with advisor 15
• WGS 390, Gender Theory and Practice2-3
• Applied and independent project: one choice below1
  • WGS 209, Practicum
  • WGS 400, Advanced Readings
  • WGS 409, Advanced Practicum

Student learning outcomes

Graduates in women’s and gender studies will:

1. Critically examine cultural assumptions and social structures related to gender and its intersection with other personal and social forces, such as race and class.
2. Explore the production of knowledge in disciplines through the lens of gender theory and practices in diverse cultural contexts.
3. Identify and analyze gender in many systems that shape individual lives and choices.
4. Examine feminist history, genres, criticism, aesthetics and structures.
5. Utilize feminist research methods, analytical tools, criticism, and praxis within their major discipline and in their profession.

Planning and advising notes

Students should meet regularly with the WGS program director in addition to their major advisor to plan the sequence of courses and practicum best suited to their interest and major.

• WGS 200, Introduction to Gender Studies is strongly recommended for all students selecting this minor.
• Students are encouraged to take WGS 390, Gender Theory and Practice in their junior or senior year after taking at least one, and preferably more, WGS courses.
• WGS 209, Practicum is available to any student engaged in campus leadership around gender issues.
• WGS 400, Advanced Readings and WGS 409, Advanced Practicum are available to students with a minimum of two WGS courses.