Program Overview

Introduction to the Gender and Sexuality Studies Program

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.

Program Description

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.

Career Opportunities

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.

Degree Requirements

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.

General Education Requirements

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.

Course List

The following courses are part of the program:

General Education

• English Composition - Level 1: ENGL 1110G Composition I
• English Composition - Level 2: Choose one from ENGL 2210G Professional & Technical Communication or ENGL 2221G Writing in the Humanities and Social Science
• Oral Communication: Choose one from ACOM 1130G Effective Leadership and Communication in Agriculture, COMM 1115G Introduction to Communication, COMM 1130G Public Speaking, or HNRS 2175G Introduction to Communication Honors
• Mathematics: MATH 1130G Survey of Mathematics
• Laboratory Science and Social/Behavioral Sciences: GNDR 2110G Introduction to Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies or GNDR 2120G Representing Women Across Cultures
• Humanities: Area V Humanities Course
• Creative and Fine Arts: Area VI Creative and Fine Arts Course
• General Education Elective: General Education Elective Course
• Viewing a Wider World: Viewing a Wider World Course

Departmental/College Requirements

• Core Courses: GNDR 455 Feminist Research Methodologies or GNDR 465 Sex, Gender and the Body, and GNDR 471 Seminar in Feminist and Queer Theories
• Electives: Select nine credits from GNDR 401 Women & Immigration, GNDR 402 Transnational Feminisms, GNDR 403 Gender & Horror, GNDR 450 Special Topics, or GNDR 454 Women Crossing Borders
• GNDR or Cross-Listed Electives: 18 credit hours

Suggested Plan of Study

A suggested plan of study for students is provided, assuming student placement in MATH 1130G Survey of Mathematics and ENGL 1110G Composition I. The plan of study includes:

First Year

• Fall: ENGL 1110G Composition I, MATH 1130G Survey of Mathematics, Area V Humanities Course, and Elective Courses
• Spring: Oral Communication Course, Area III Laboratory Science Course, GNDR 2110G Introduction to Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies or GNDR 2120G Representing Women Across Cultures, Area VI Creative and Fine Arts Course, and Elective Course

Second Year

• Fall: English Composition - Level 2, Select either an Area III/IV Laboratory Sciences or Social/Behavioral Sciences Course, GNDR or Cross-listed Elective Course, Elective Courses
• Spring: General Education Elective Course, GNDR or Cross-listed Elective Course, Choose one from GNDR 401 Women & Immigration, GNDR 402 Transnational Feminisms, GNDR 403 Gender & Horror, GNDR 450 Special Topics, or GNDR 454 Women Crossing Borders, Elective Courses

Third Year

• Fall: Viewing a Wider World Course, GNDR 455 Feminist Research Methodologies or GNDR 465 Sex, Gender and the Body, Choose one from GNDR 401 Women & Immigration, GNDR 402 Transnational Feminisms, GNDR 403 Gender & Horror, GNDR 450 Special Topics, or GNDR 454 Women Crossing Borders, Elective Courses
• Spring: Viewing a Wider World Course, GNDR or Cross-listed Elective Course, Choose one from GNDR 401 Women & Immigration, GNDR 402 Transnational Feminisms, GNDR 403 Gender & Horror, GNDR 450 Special Topics, or GNDR 454 Women Crossing Borders, Elective Courses

Fourth Year

• Fall: GNDR 471 Seminar in Feminist and Queer Theories, GNDR or Cross-listed Elective Course, Elective Courses
• Spring: GNDR or Cross-listed Elective Course, GNDR or Cross-listed Elective Course, Elective Courses

Total Credits

The total credits required for the program is 120 credits.