Overview
The Minor in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies enhances any undergraduate major by integrating a working knowledge of gender issues with the student's field(s) of study. Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies employs gender as an analytical category, along with race, class, ethnicity, ability, age, nationality, and transnationality, to focus on women's contributions to society and the gender implications of cultural, political, and economic processes. Curricular areas of emphasis include feminist theories and methodologies; social justice and activism; LGBT/queer studies; and women's histories, literatures, visual cultures, and politics.
In addition to the minor, WGSS also offers a Queer Studies concentration. The concentration is an informal option for students wanting to enhance their understanding of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI+) issues or whose undergraduate curriculum or professional goals would be enriched by additional coursework in this emerging vibrant field. The concentration focuses on LGBTQI+ histories, political movements, aesthetics, arts, cultures, literatures, scholarship, contemporary experiences, and social formations. Students who complete the sequence can apply their knowledge to positions in education, government, nonprofit organizations, activism, journalism, law, public policy, social services, health services, and careers in the humanities and fine arts.