Women's and Gender Studies Minor

Women's and gender studies provides students with an understanding of the status of women in various cultures and historical eras, in the nexus of race, class, sexuality, religious and disability studies. Students learn the use of gender as a category of analysis and increase their knowledge of women's contributions to many fields. Women's studies courses offer students critical perspectives on such basic questions of the social order as assumptions about gender roles and gender identity.

As a relatively small department in the College of Liberal Arts, we provide students with a sense of community and opportunities to contribute directly to changing the campus climate. In a rigorous academic environment, women's and gender studies offers students a springboard for activism. Our internship program enables students to gain first-hand work experience across many fields.

A major or minor in women's and gender studies prepares students for careers where the changing roles of women are having a perceptible impact. Alumni go on to law school and graduate school in a variety of disciplines. Some have taken positions with social change or family service agencies, while others have found work in such fields as health care, journalism, education, human rights, social and environmental justice, and the arts.

Students who wish to minor in women's and gender studies should consult with the department chair or coordinator.

For the women's and gender studies minor, students must complete 20 credits of women's and gender studies courses with a grade of C- or better. Courses taken pass/fail may not be used toward the minor. No more than eight credits used to satisfy the requirements for another major may be used for the women's and gender studies minor. Students electing the women's and gender studies minor must complete:

Minor Requirements

The Women's and Gender Studies (WGS) minor requires students to complete 20 credits of WGS-approved coursework with grades of C- or better. Courses taken pass/fail may not be used toward the minor. 

WGS-Approved Electives

Students may double count no more than two (2) courses between the WGS minor and a major.

Click here to view a list of additional courses offered and approved for the WGS major and minor as elective coursework.