Requirements for a Major in Women's Studies

*For students admitted in Fall 2011 or earlier

In addition to meeting the general University degree requirements, the student majoring in women's studies must complete three areas in the program for a total of 52 credits:

1. Core curriculum of six courses - 24 credits
2. Experiential learning program (practicum) - 8 credits
   
3. Individualized program of study - 20 credits

Women's Studies Core Curriculum

• WS 101 Introduction to Women's Studies (4 credits)
• WS 301 Gender and Critical Inquiry (4 credits)
• WS 307 Women, Activism, and Social Change (4 credits)
• WS 315 Feminist Analysis (4 credits)
• WS 415 Senior Seminar (4 credits)
• One women's and/or gender history class including, but not limited to: WS 340, WS 341, WS 342, WS 370 (4 credits)

Experiential Learning

This part of the curriculum provides students with the opportunity to connect knowledge from the classroom to experience in community service activities. Students earn credits by working with community or campus organizations which serve women and/or focus on social justice issues.

• WS 409 Practicum (6 credits)
• WS 411 Experiental Learning Seminar (2 credits)
• Practicum Information
• Practicum Supervisor Evaluation
• Practicum Self Evaluation
• List of Practicum Opportunities

Individualized Program

The individualized program of study will be developed by the student in consultation with a faculty advisor in women's studies and receive final approval of the department chair. In designing this part of the major, students may follow either a discipline-based emphasis or a theme-based emphasis. Any changes must be approved by the student's women's studies advisor.

A discipline-based emphasis will consist of five courses (20 credits) in a department or program outside women's studies. Two of these courses are to be courses which familiarize students with that discipline's materials and approaches. The other three courses in the discipline are to be cross-listed with women's studies or approved by the student's women's studies advisor.

A theme-based emphasis will consist of five courses which together form a coherent multi-disciplinary approach to a subject. All of the courses are to be cross-listed with women's studies or approved by the student's women's studies advisor.

Courses taken under the undifferentiated grading option (pass/no pass) are not acceptable toward fulfilling major requirements with the following exceptions: WS 404 Cooperative Education/Internship, WS 409 Practicum.

Examples of the individualized course of study:

• Disciplinary Emphasis
• Theme-based Emphasis

Download Women's Studies Major academic worksheet

(Requirements for students admitted to college in Fall 2011 or earlier)

Download Women's Studies Major academic worksheet

(Requirements for students admitted to college in Fall 2011 or later)

For more information or for academic advising contact:

Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Department at (503)725-3516 or visit our Advising page for more information.