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The Women's Studies Major

THE WOMEN'S STUDIES MAJOR: Women's studies is an interdisciplinary academic field that draws on feminist theories and scholarship by and/or about women to analyze the experiences, perspectives, and contributions of women and systems of gender relations in various cultural settings and time periods. The women's studies major is a multidisciplinary program that involves students in the exploration of topics such as the social construction of gender, women's historical and contemporary experiences, and their roles within various societies.

Completion of the major strengthens students' preparation for further work in fields including women's studies, law, public and international affairs, social sciences, the humanities, communications, and the arts. Through the major, students also gain a foundation for understanding the social, intellectual, and political forces that shape their personal and professional lives. The major leads to a bachelor of arts degree.

Students majoring in women's studies must successfully complete nine courses, at least three of which must be at the 300 level, for a total of at least thirty credit hours, including:

  1. Introduction to Women's Studies. This requirement may be fulfilled in one of two ways:

    1. WS101, Introduction to Women's Studies

    3. In exceptional cases and only with permission of the director of the Women's Studies Program, two entry-level courses in the women's studies curriculum in different areas (social sciences, humanities, or the sciences). Students who take this option must successfully complete eleven courses for the major.

  3. WS201, Feminist Theories and Methodologies. Prerequisite: WS101.

  5. At least one course from the women's studies curriculum including works by or about women of color or women from other cultures. This category includes courses with a non-Western focus (e.g., "Issues of Gender in African Art," "Women in the Global Economy") as well as those that deal centrally with culturally diverse groups within the United States.

  7. Five additional courses in the women's studies curriculum. Courses should reflect the interdisciplinary nature of women's studies by drawing from at least three different disciplines. Electives should be selected in consultation with the program director so as to constitute both exploration and concentration. A concentration, normally three courses at least one of which is at the 300 level, may be designed to focus on a discipline, a theme, a time period, or an issue.

  9. WS375: Senior Seminar in Women's Studies. Prerequisites: WS101 and 201.

HONORS: Students desiring honors in women's studies must meet the requisite grade-point average and must complete a senior thesis under the supervision of a women's studies faculty member. The thesis must be approved for honors by the Women's Studies Advisory Board.