Gender, women, and sexuality studies creates a critical framework for a systematic re-examination of the concept of gender from historical, economic, political, social, and cultural perspectives. The components of the major include interdisciplinary core courses that survey research methods and scholarship, and a selection of elective courses drawn from a variety of disciplines. Classes offered in gender, women, and sexuality studies examine the rich and complex intersections of gender, sexuality, race, and class from a variety of cross-disciplinary perspectives.
The gender, women, and sexuality studies department and courses address one or more of the following issues: (1) the importance of becoming familiar with contemporary feminist theoretical frameworks, methodologies, issues, and topics, and their relation to traditional disciplines; (2) recognizing the importance of focusing on issues of gender, race, class, and sexuality and the connections among them; (3) broadening and enriching analytic skills while drawing on the interdisciplinary perspectives of gender, women, and sexuality studies; (4) understanding the diversity of women’s experiences in the United States and abroad.
Students may pursue only a gender, women, and sexuality studies major, or a double major with another discipline. Students may also take advantage of the dual degree in gender, women, and sexuality studies and social work.
Students should discuss with the program director any course substitution issues, as well as how to count courses in disciplines outside the College of Arts and Sciences.