The mission of Gender, Women and Sexuality Studies is to analyze and change society from the unique perspective of unequal gender relations in a world where violence and discrimination is still commonplace. In GWSS, students learn about the racialized and global dimensions of contemporary sexual discourses, practices, and histories and question the mechanisms by which non-normative sexual desire has been segregated and disciplined. GWSS generates knowledge through frameworks that are interdisciplinary, transnational, decolonial and intersectional.
Program of Study: Major: Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies
Program Overview
Our undergraduate major provides a highly flexible and individualized approach while creating a learning community. We emphasize integrative courses that explore relationships among phenomena such as gender, race/ethnicity, and social class. Required courses focus on feminist theorizing of race/ethnicity and psychobiology of women, and synthesize these areas of academic inquiry through internships and a capstone class. The capstone culminates in a portfolio tracing the student’s path toward achieving the department’s learning goals. With over 2,000 students enrolled each year, Gender, Women & Sexuality Studies reaches far beyond our department into the entire University.
This program of study leads to the following credential:
Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies
Recommended Preparation
Suggested First- and Second-Year College Courses: GWSS 200, and any of the following: GWSS 206, GWSS 257, GWSS 283, GWSS 290.
Admission Requirements
Any student with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.00 can declare this major at any time.
Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies
Credential Overview
Gender, Women and Sexuality Studies provides a window into discussions about globalization, violence, commerce, reproductive rights, art, music and many other issues. Students gain broad exposure to interdisciplinary methods and activist strategies, and are trained to analyze inequities in society and work toward social justice and change.
Completion Requirements
Minimum 58 credits
GWSS 200 or equivalent (5 credits)
GWSS 302 (5 credits)
One upper-division course focusing on transnational perspective. See adviser for list of eligible courses. (5 credits)
GWSS 497 (fieldwork) (minimum 3 credits)
One course in at least three of the four following overlapping focus points: Global Identity Formations; Decolonizing Empire; Feminist Knowledge Production and Radical Critique; Building Social, Cultural, and Political Movements for Change. See adviser for list of courses in each category (15 credits)
Additional gender, women, and sexuality studies upper-division credits. 10 credits must be graded. Maximum 10 credits from variable credit courses (GWSS 495, GWSS 496, GWSS 497, GWSS 499) can be applied toward this requirement. (20 credits)
Senior capstone, GWSS 494 (5 credits)
Minimum 20 credits applied toward the major must be completed in residence through the UW.
Minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA in courses applied to the major.
Program of Study: Minor: Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies
Program Overview
A minor in Gender, Women and Sexuality Studies (GWSS) provides a window into discussions about globalization, violence, commerce, reproductive rights, art, music and many other issues. GWSS minors gain exposure to the interdisciplinary methods and activist strategies, and training that allows students to analyze inequities in society and work toward social justice and change. By adding the GWSS minor to a course of study at UW, students are able to explore the intersections between their work in their major department and GWSS.
This program of study leads to the following credential:
Minor in Gender, Women, Sexuality
Minor in Gender, Women, Sexuality
Credential Overview
A minor in Gender, Women and Sexuality Studies (GWSS) provides a window into discussions about globalization, violence, commerce, reproductive rights, art, music and many other issues. GWSS minors gain exposure to the interdisciplinary methods and activist strategies, and training that allows students to analyze inequities in society and work toward social justice and change. By adding the GWSS minor to a course of study at UW, students are able to explore the intersections between their work in their major department and GWSS.
Completion Requirements
30 credits
GWSS 200 or equivalent; and one additional GWSS 200-level course (10 credits)
GWSS 302 (5 credits)
Additional upper-division (300-400 level) credits in gender, women, and sexuality studies. Minimum 10 credits must be graded. Maximum 5 credits from variable credit courses (GWSS 495, GWSS 496, GWSS 497, and GWSS 499) may be applied toward this requirement. (15 credits)
Learning Objectives and Expected Outcomes: A Bachelor of Arts in gender, women, and sexuality studies helps students prepare for careers in human, health, legal, or civil service, as well as in the private sector. Some gender, women, and sexuality studies graduates develop careers that focus directly or indirectly on women and women's issues. Many others move into careers that entail understanding the dynamics of gender, race, class, and sexuality. Such positions exist in politics, business, education, government, medicine, and the arts. Recent graduates of gender, women, and sexuality studies have found employment in public agencies, community services, health services, private businesses, and legal firms.
Honors Options Available: With College Honors (Completion of Honors Core Curriculum and Departmental Honors); With Honors (Completion of Departmental Honors requirements in the major). See adviser for requirements.
Research, Internships, and Service Learning: Students intern in local agencies or businesses to develop skills in an area of specialization appropriate to their area of interest. For lists of these opportunities, see adviser.
Department Scholarships: None offered.
Student Organizations/Associations: Students can join the National Women's Studies Association (NWSA).
Graduate Programs
Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies
Program of Study: Doctor Of Philosophy (Feminist Studies)
Program Overview
The department offers graduate training leading to the PhD in interdisciplinary women studies as well as in a chosen discipline. A master's degree may be awarded to students in the doctoral program, but the department does not offer a terminal master's degree. The core faculty represent the following disciplines: anthropology, American Indian studies, cultural studies, economics and development, English, history, international studies, psychology, queer/sexuality studies, and sociology. Although students work primarily with a core faculty member in Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies, they have the opportunity to study with more than 90 adjunct faculty members from a wide range of disciplines.
This program of study leads to the following credential: