The interdisciplinary Women’s and Gender Studies Minor is designed for students who wish to study how gender, as it intersects with other identities, influences everyday life; special consideration is given to the study of women’s perspectives.
Fifteen hours of course work is required, with at least 9 hours of upper-division credit. A grade of C or better is required in all courses. Students should register for cross-listed courses under the WGST course heading.
Courses Overview View RequirementsTRACK SHEET
Students graduating with a minor in Women's and Gender Studies should demonstrate knowledge of the following concepts:
Before graduation, a student minoring in Women's and Gender Studies will submit a portfolio for review to the Women's and Gender Studies Program Committee. The portfolio must contain:
The student will also participate in an exit interview.
It's easy to declare your minor in Women's and Gender Studies—and it's important to do so in order that the Women's and Gender Studies Program Director is able to keep you up to date about course offerings and advising information. Call or stop by the registrar's office to declare.
If you've decided to minor or are trying to figure out whether the Women's and Gender Studies minor is a good fit for you, contact Dr. Liana Babayan, the Women's and Gender Studies Program Director—she'll be happy to let you know more about what the Women's and Gender Studies Program has to offer.
While students are used to being advised within their major, it's also beneficial
to meet with the advisor in your minor field of study. The advisor for Women's and
Gender Studies is Dr. Liana Babayan. She will be happy to talk with you about upcoming Women's and Gender Studies classes,
as well as the process for completing a minor.
The courses offered in Women's and Gender Studies do change from semester to semester depending on our collaboration with departments across campus, but you can check out a tentative course rotation below to help you with your planning.
Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies is designed to explore the diversity of women's experiences across time, culture, and social class.
As a field, Women's and Gender Studies is interdisciplinary—it extends into all majors and discourse communities. Its foundation in identifying, assessing, and working to eliminate sexist oppression intersects with movements working to end oppression based on race, class, sexual and gender identity, physical ability, age, and other diverse identities. Topics include the history of the women’s rights movement, intersectional identities and interlocking forms of oppression, gender representation, reproductive justice, heteronormativity, gendered violence, and more.
Not sure what to think about feminism?
That's okay! The class in no way requires that you hold a particular worldview or change your position on the important issues we discuss in class. All are welcome—men, included! A fundamental expectation of the course, and of gender studies as a field, is respectful dialogue. Making an effort to understand, discuss, and think critically about diverse concepts—some with which you may not agree—will be part of our everyday practice.
You can use WGST 1101 as an Area F Elective for tracks in several majors, including English, Foreign Languages, History, Sociology, Communication, and Psychology? The course is also the gateway course to the Women's and Gender Studies Minor.
