Program Overview

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Introduction to the Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Major

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (WGSS) at the University of Connecticut is an interdisciplinary program that explores issues related to women and critically examines the construction of gender and sexuality.

Why Study WGSS

The WGSS major offers a unique curriculum that takes an intersectional approach to feminist and queer theory. It explores overlapping aspects of identity, including race, gender, ethnicity, sexuality, and social justice. The BA in WGSS also serves as a flexible double major that is frequently paired with anthropology, art history, communication, English, history, human rights, political science, psychological sciences, and sociology.

Program Requirements and Courses

The Department of Social and Critical Inquiry offers a diverse array of WGSS courses, allowing students to customize their learning experience. Combining the methods and insights of traditional academic disciplines with the special insights of feminist studies, gender studies, and sexuality studies, our courses focus on understanding the origins of and changes in diverse cultural and social arrangements.

Core Courses

Students must complete 15 credits of core courses, including:

• WGSS 2250: Critical Approaches to Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies.
• WGSS 3265W: Producing Critical Feminist Scholarship.
• WGSS 4994W: Capstone Seminar.
• One 3000-level theory course from a list of pre-selected classes.
• One 3000-level course in social movements and cultural production from a list of pre-selected classes.

Supporting Courses

Students must complete five additional WGSS courses at the 2000 level or above (15 credits). At least three courses (nine credits) of these must be chosen from a list of pre-selected courses.

Related Courses

Students must also pass an additional 12 credits at the 2000 level or above in a field closely related to the major.

Plans of Study

Download the Plan of Study for Catalog Year 2024 to Present. Download the Plan of Study for Catalog Years 2021 to 2023.

Jobs and Careers

Students who major in WGSS graduate with the skills needed to address contemporary social issues and succeed in a variety of careers. They gain expertise in activism and advocacy, enhance their writing and critical thinking abilities, construct logical arguments, and strengthen their problem-solving skills. Common career fields include education, social services, public service, philanthropy, communications, and non-profit management.

Areas of Study

• American Studies
• Asian and Asian American Studies
• Native American and Indigenous Studies
• Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the WGSS major, students will be able to:

• Critically engage with theoretical frameworks central to WGSS, including critical race, disability, feminist, queer, trans, and transnational theories.
• Design an interdisciplinary research project that critically engages with the production of knowledge using feminist methodologies.
• Effectively communicate ideas on social and cultural issues and advocate for social justice through papers, presentations, discussions, or creative projects focused on feminist perspectives.
• Build positive, supportive relationships with people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives to strengthen community and teamwork.
• Explain how key career competencies acquired through WGSS apply to diverse workplace settings and career paths.