Gender and Sexuality Studies - Bachelor of Arts
The undergraduate major in Gender and Sexuality Studies specializes in the examination of gender; gender identity; queer and transgender studies; feminisms; and social justice from interdisciplinary perspectives. Students develop a strong understanding of how interconnected social formations such as race, class, age, nation, citizenship, ability, and other categories of difference are constructed and intersect with gender and sexuality. Our courses equip students with analytical skills and knowledge to engage power structures critically and transform lives and communities.
Gender and Sexuality Studies readies students for further study in the field at the graduate level as well as advanced study in a variety of disciplines. We offer a plan of study that integrates humanities and social sciences methods and objects of study, including areas of concentration such as human rights and transnational migration; socially engaged literature, film, and other creative media; and transnational and decolonial methodologies.
Gender and Sexuality Studies students prepare for careers in such fields as advocacy and social organizing, community development, creative writing, criminal justice, education, filmmaking and video production, health care, human resources, journalism, law, music production, social services, and visual arts. Many students declare a double major in Gender and Sexuality Studies with another discipline to enhance career opportunities and learning.
Courses are offered both online and on campus. In addition to the B.A., Gender and Sexuality Studies offers an undergraduate minor and graduate minor.
Degree requirements for the major include
- 9 credit hours of required Gender & Sexuality Studies courses;
- 18 credit hours of Gender & Sexuality Studies electives; and
- 9 credit hours from a number of cross-listed courses offered both by Gender & Sexuality Studies and by other programs/departments.
- The total credit hour requirement for the major is 36 credit hours with 21 hours at the upper division level. All requirements must be completed with a grade of C- or higher.
Students must complete all University degree requirements, which include: General Education requirements, Viewing a Wider World requirements, and elective credits to total at least 120 credits with 48 credits in courses numbered 300 or above. Developmental coursework will not count towards the degree requirements and/or elective credits, but may be needed in order to take the necessary English and Mathematics coursework.
| Prefix | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Education | ||
| Area I: Communications | ||
| English Composition - Level 1 | ||
| ENGL 1110G | Composition I | 4 |
| English Composition - Level 2 | ||
| Choose one from the following: | 3 | |
| Professional and Technical Communication Honors | 3 | |
| Writing in the Humanities and Social Science | 3 | |
| Oral Communication | ||
| Choose one from the following: | 3 | |
| Effective Leadership and Communication in Agriculture | 3 | |
| Introduction to Communication | 3 | |
| Public Speaking | 3 | |
| Introduction to Communication Honors | 3 | |
| Area II: Mathematics | 3 | |
| Survey of Mathematics (Recommended) 1 | 3 | |
| Area III/IV: Laboratory Science and Social/Behavioral Sciences | 10-11 | |
| Introduction to Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies | 3 | |
or GNDR 2120G | Representing Women Across Cultures | |
Area III: Laboratory Sciences Course (4 credits) 2 | ||
Either an Area III/IV: Laboratory Sciences Course or Social/Behavioral Sciences Course (4 or 3 credits) 2 | ||
| Area V: Humanities 2 | 3 | |
| Area VI: Creative and Fine Arts 2 | 3 | |
| General Education Elective 2 | 3-4 | |
| Viewing a Wider World 3 | 6 | |
| Departmental/College Requirements | ||
| Core Courses | ||
| GNDR 455 | Feminist Research Methodologies | 3 |
| or GNDR 465 | Sex, Gender and the Body | |
| GNDR 471 | Seminar in Feminist and Queer Theories | 3 |
| Select nine credits from the following: | 9 | |
| Women & Immigration | 3 | |
| Transnational Feminisms | 3 | |
| Gender & Horror | 3 | |
| Special Topics | 3 | |
| Women Crossing Borders | 3 | |
| GNDR or Cross-Listed Electives | 18 | |
| 6 credits must be upper division | ||
| Masculinities Studies | 3 | |
| Alternative Genders and Sexualities | 3 | |
| Gender and Graphic Narrative | 3 | |
| Gender and Migration | 3 | |
| Gender and Film Studies | 3 | |
| Practicum in Gender and Sexuality Studies | 3 | |
| Gender and Popular Culture | 3 | |
| Second Language Requirement: (not required) | ||
| Electives, to bring the total credits to 120 4 | 47-49 | |
12 credits must be Upper - Division | ||
| Total Credits | 120 | |
- 1
MATH 1130G Survey of Mathematics is required for the degree but students may need to take any prerequisites needed to enter MATH 1130G first.
- 2
See the General Education section of the catalog for a full list of courses.
- 3
See the Viewing a Wider World section of the catalog for a full list of courses.
- 4
Elective credit may vary based on General Education course selection, prerequisites, dual credit, AP credit, double majors, and/or minor coursework. The amount indicated in the requirements list is the amount needed to bring the total to 120 credits and may appear in variable form based on the degree. However students may end up needing to complete more or less on a case-by-case basis and students should discuss elective requirements with their advisor.
Second Language Requirement
For the Bachelor of Arts with a major in Gender & Sexuality Studies, there is no second language requirement for the degree.
A Suggested Plan of Study for Students
This roadmap assumes student placement in MATH 1130G Survey of Mathematics and ENGL 1110G Rhetoric and Composition. The contents and order of this roadmap may vary depending on initial student placement in mathematics and English. It is only a suggested plan of study for students and is not intended as a contract. Course availability may vary from fall to spring semester and may be subject to modification or change.
| First Year | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 1110G | Composition I (C- or better) | 4 |
| MATH 1130G | Survey of Mathematics (C- or better) 1 | 3 |
| Area V: Humanities Course 2 | 3 | |
| Elective Course(s) 3 | 9 | |
| Choose one from the following: | 3 | |
| Effective Leadership and Communication in Agriculture | ||
| Introduction to Communication | ||
| Public Speaking | ||
| Introduction to Communication Honors | ||
| Area III: Laboratory Science Course 2 | 4 | |
| GNDR 2110G or GNDR 2120G | Introduction to Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (C- or beter) 4 or Representing Women Across Cultures | 3 |
| Area VI: Creative and Fine Arts Course 2 | 3 | |
| Credits | 32 | |
| Second Year | ||
| ENGL 2210G or ENGL 2221G | Professional and Technical Communication Honors or Writing in the Humanities and Social Science | 3 |
| Select either an Area III/IV: Laboratory Sciences or Social/Behavioral Sciences Course 2 | 3-4 | |
| GNDR or Cross-listed Elective Course (any level) (C- or better) 5 | 6 | |
| Elective Course(s) 3 | 12 | |
| General Education Elective Course 2 | 3-4 | |
| Choose one from the following: 6 | 3 | |
| Women & Immigration | ||
| Transnational Feminisms | ||
| Gender & Horror | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Women Crossing Borders | ||
| Credits | 30-32 | |
| Third Year | ||
| VWW - Viewing a Wider World Course(s) 7 | 6 | |
| GNDR 455 or GNDR 465 | Feminist Research Methodologies (C- or better in either) or Sex, Gender and the Body | 3 |
| Choose two from the following: 5 | 6 | |
| Women & Immigration | ||
| Transnational Feminisms | ||
| Gender & Horror | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Women Crossing Borders | ||
| Elective Course(s) | 12 | |
| GNDR or Cross-listed Elective Course (any level) (C- or better) 5 | 3 | |
| Credits | 30 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| GNDR 471 | Seminar in Feminist and Queer Theories | 3 |
| GNDR or Cross-listed Elective Course (Upper-Division)(C- or better) 5 | 6 | |
| GNDR or Cross-listed Elective Course (any level) (C- or better) 5 | 3 | |
| Elective Course(s) 3 | 3 | |
| Elective Course(s) - Upper Division 3 | 13 | |
| Credits | 28 | |
| Total Credits | 120-122 | |
- 1
MATH 1130G Survey of Mathematics is recommended for the degree but students may need to take any prerequisites needed to enter MATH 1130G (or an alternative relevant Area II MATH course) first.
- 2
See the General Education section of the catalog for a full list of courses.
- 3
Elective credit may vary based on General Education course selections, prerequisites, dual credit, AP credit, double majors, and/or minor coursework. The amount indicated in the requirements list is the amount needed to bring the total to 120 credits and may appear in variable form based on the degree. However students may end up needing to complete more or less on a case-by-case basis and students should discuss elective requirements with their advisor.
- 4
GNDR 2110G Introduction to Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and GNDR 2120G Representing Women Across Cultures count towards Area V.
- 5
Students must take 6 credits of Upper-Division W S Cross-listed Elective coursework
- 6
Students cannot take the same course multiple times to fulfill this requirement.
- 7
See the Viewing a Wider World section of the catalog for a full list of courses.