The minor in Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies introduces students to the dynamic international body of knowledge and creative work about women, gender and sexuality.  Students work with social categories associated with gender and sexuality (e.g., “woman”) and their intersections with other systems of inequality (e.g., race, nation, class, ability).  Students will also become acquainted with the current realities and history of feminism, gender, and sexual orientation in the U.S. and worldwide.  Courses in Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies are often settings which enable students to formulate educational and career objectives based on a clearer sense of their social world, their own strengths, and their special values.  The minor is a logical component of a student’s preparation for a career in law, business, public health, the social services, and teaching.

Goal 1: A Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies student will have a foundation of feminist and/or queer knowledge, theory and history in the US and globally.

Outcome 1.1 Students will be able to describe and distinguish a broad range of feminist theories and/or queer theories and practices both nationally and internationally.

Outcome 1.2 Students will gain knowledge of the history of feminist and/or queer thought in the U.S. and globally.

Outcome 1.3 Students will be able to articulate how sexism, heterosexism, and cisgenderism is related to and intersects with other systems of oppression, such as, but not limited to, racism, classism, ageism, and ableism.

Goal 2: A Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies student will be able to explain how “context” is central to feminist and/or queer analyses and perspectives.

Outcome 2.1 Students will be able to identify, articulate, and think critically about social problems related to women, gender, and/or sexuality.

Outcome 2.2 Students will be able to detect sociopolitical contexts that inform theories, identities, subcultures, laws, and politics pertaining to women, gender, and/or sexuality.

Outcome 2.3 Students will be able to apply a feminist and/or queer lens towards traditional or canonical manifestations of their home disciplines.

1. At least half of the courses fulfilling a minor must be distinct from the student’s major. That is, three of the five courses required for a minor cannot be used towards fulfillment of major requirements. A School Core does not need to be completed for a minor. Minors are open to students regardless of school affiliation.

WOMEN’S, GENDER AND SEXUALITY STUDIES MINOR

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