Program Overview

B.A. in Gender and Sexuality Studies

Overview

The Program in Gender and Sexuality Studies seeks to encourage the rigorous investigation of gender as a significant issue in all areas of human experience. It reaches across disciplines to draw on a range of methods, theories, and perspectives that help us to understand how ideas and structures based on gender shape our lives.

Mission

The program’s core objective is to foster the examination, open discussion, and lively debate of gender issues among faculty and students from all fields of study, enriching the undergraduate curriculum and the university’s academic mission through greater communication across disciplines and colleges. Its aim is to broaden, deepen, and transform the learning community at UM and beyond.

Goals

• Students will demonstrate understanding of gender and / or sexuality as categories of analysis and as components of human experience and investigate and challenge normative models and viewpoints.
• Students will build critical and analytical thinking skills.
• Students will build their verbal and written communications skills.

Curriculum Requirements

The following courses are required for the B.A. in Gender and Sexuality Studies:

• Major Courses:
  • GSS 201: Introduction to Gender and Sexuality Studies (3 credits)
  • GSS 301: Feminist Inquiries (3 credits)
  • Select six GSS courses at the 300 level or above (18 credits)
  • Select a minimum of two additional GSS core courses (6 credits)
• General Education Requirements:
  • Written Communication Skills:
    • WRS 105: First-Year Writing I (3 credits)
    • WRS 106: First-Year Writing II (3 credits)
    • or ENG 106: Writing About Literature and Culture
  • Quantitative Skills:
    • MTH 108: Precalculus Mathematics II (or higher) (3 credits)
  • Areas of Knowledge:
    • Arts and Humanities Cognate (9 credits)
    • People & Society Cognate (9 credits) (fulfilled through the major)
    • STEM Cognate (9 credits)
• Additional Required Courses:
  • UMX 100: The University of Miami Experience (0 credits)
  • Language course at the 200-level (3 credits)
• Minor Requirement: 15 credits
• Electives: 45 credits
• Total Credit Hours: 120

Suggested Plan of Study

The suggested plan of study for the B.A. in Gender and Sexuality Studies is as follows:

• Freshman Year:
  • Fall:
    • WRS 105: First-Year Writing I (3 credits)
    • MTH 108: Precalculus Mathematics II (3 credits)
    • Language (first course) (3 credits)
    • People & Society or Arts and Humanities cognate (first course) (3 credits)
    • Elective (3 credits)
  • Spring:
    • WRS 106: First-Year Writing II (3 credits)
    • Language (second course) (3 credits)
    • STEM cognate (first course) (3 credits)
    • Elective (3 credits)
    • Elective (3 credits)
• Sophomore Year:
  • Fall:
    • GSS 201: Introduction to Gender and Sexuality Studies (3 credits)
    • GSS Core Course (3 credits)
    • People & Society or Arts and Humanities cognate (second course) (3 credits)
    • Minor (first course) (3 credits)
    • Elective (3 credits)
  • Spring:
    • GSS 301: Feminist Inquiries (3 credits)
    • GSS Core Course (3 credits)
    • Minor (second course) (3 credits)
    • STEM cognate (second course) (3 credits)
    • Elective (3 credits)
• Junior Year:
  • Fall:
    • GSS Course 300 Level or above (3 credits)
    • GSS Course 300 level or above (3 credits)
    • Minor (third course) (3 credits)
    • STEM cognate (third course) (3 credits)
    • Elective (3 credits)
  • Spring:
    • GSS Course 300 level or above (3 credits)
    • GSS Course 300 level or above (3 credits)
    • Minor (fourth course) (3 credits)
    • Elective (3 credits)
    • Elective (3 credits)
• Senior Year:
  • Fall:
    • GSS Course 300 level or above (3 credits)
    • Minor (fifth course) (3 credits)
    • People & Society or Arts and Humanities cognate (third course) (3 credits)
    • Elective (3 credits)
    • Elective (3 credits)
  • Spring:
    • GSS Course 300 level or above (3 credits)
    • Elective (3 credits)
    • Elective (3 credits)
    • Elective (3 credits)
    • Elective (3 credits)

Additional Requirements

A grade of C- or better in each course, with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 in GSS courses is required. All Majors have the option of completing GSS 501 (or GSS 505), which will take the form of an individual research project with a faculty member of the student's choice; the student is responsible for finding an appropriate faculty member who is available to supervise the project and then must seek formal approval from the program director before proceeding with the project. The student must produce a substantial written report or research paper, the format of which will vary according to the nature of the project.