Program Description
Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies (WGSS) is an interdisciplinary field that grew out of the recognition that the experience and potential of over half the world’s population has real consequences for academic study and teaching, research and scholarship. By considering women – both as subjects of inquiry and as inquiring subjects – we have discovered new ways of thinking about gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity and their intersections in political, economic and social life. The minor consists of core units and elective courses in many disciplines, for a total of 21 credit hours (minimum).
A minor in Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies presents students with the following: past and present scholarship on women, a methodology which treats the experience of all genders as equal in value and scholarly importance, and opportunities to conduct interdisciplinary research in women, gender and sexuality studies.
The objectives of the Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies minor include: offering a place to study the experiences and contributions of women, to understand the diversity of perspectives, to analyze the causes and consequences of gender hierarchies in society and to prepare students to contribute knowledgeably to the contemporary discourse on women and gender relations in global communities, to make connections between academic learning and one’s own life experience, and to learn about the contributions of women in their varied social and cultural roles in the United States and the world.
By strengthening critical thinking skills and understanding of issues related to gender and social justice students will:
- Enhance their appreciation for diversity and discover the deep, (interdisciplinary) connections among academic disciplines.
- Gain a greater sense of their own personal worth and their connectedness with women albeit tempered by an appreciation of the diversity of women’s experience.
- Appreciate the value of their relationships with other people.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Students will be able to describe how gender relates to other social categories (e.g., sexuality, race, ethnicity, and nationality) and has various contested meanings historically and within and across transnational contexts.
- Students will build critical theoretical perspectives and methodological approaches to critically analyze the history, status, and experiences of women from diverse social backgrounds.
- Through independent learning, research, or internships, students will apply theory to praxis and communicate their insights effectively in writing and speaking.
- Students will be ready to pursue employment, and/or community-based volunteer work to which they can apply and exercise their understanding of equity and social justice.
Women Gender and Sexuality Studies Minor Requirements
Total credit hours: 12 credits + 9 Guided Elective credits = 21 credits
Core Requirements (12 credits)
- GNDR 2110 – Introduction to Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (3 credits)
- SOC 453 – Sociology of Gender (3 credits)
- SOC 408 – Feminist Theory (3 credits)
- WGS 496 – Women & Gender Studies (3 credits)
Women & Gender Studies Guided Electives (9 credits)
- ART 378 – Women in Art (3 credits)
- CJUS 367 – Women and Crime (3 credits)
- ENGL 438 – Women as Writers (3 credits)
- PSY 430 – Psychology of Gender (3 credits)
- SOC 313 – Social Inequality (3 credits)
- SOC 455 – Sociology of Families (3 credits)
- SOC 409 – Masculinities (3 credits)
- SOC 411 – Sexualities and Society (3 credits)
- WGS 301 – Gender, Race, and the Media (3 credits)
- WGS 353 – Global Feminisms (3 credits)
- WGS 401 – Contemporary Women and Gender Struggles (3 credits)
- WGS 481 – Women and Gender Studies Internship (3 credits)
Link to Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Minor Requirements in the Catalog
Schedule an Appointment with the Advising Center
Course Rotations
Women, Gender and Sexualities Studies Minor Course Rotations
Course Descriptions
WNMU Class Schedules
See what Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies courses are offered and available by selecting the desired year/semester to see what courses are being offered.
Declare a Minor in Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies
Declare your Minor is Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What can I do with a women and gender studies minor degree?
A. You can obtain jobs in both the private and government sectors. Here are some examples:
- Educator (i.e. Teacher)
- Researcher (i.e. Law Firms)
- Activist
- Professor
Q: Does the women and gender studies degree offer online courses?
A: Yes, the women and gender studies program offers lower and upper division courses, and graduate offerings, that are online. We support the class offerings through Masters of Interdisciplinary Studies (MAIS), a masters degree that is fully-online.
Q: How do I Learn More?
A. You can contact our office manager:
Jennie Joy
Phone: 575-538-6634
Email: Jennie.Joy@wnmu.edu
Contact
Dr. Dara Naphan Kingery
Phone: (575) 538- 6824
Email: Dara.Naphan-Kingery@wnmu.edu
Office: Global Resource Center Rm#200
Dr. Andreea Nica
Email: Andreea.Nica@wnmu.edu