Welcome to the Program in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
At this important moment in history—from #BlackLivesMatter to #MeToo and everything in between—the Program in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at WSU offers interdisciplinary courses in which students work together to explore the questions that these social justice movements pose, and the ways that race, ethnicity, sexuality, social class, nationality, age, and ability intersect to shape understanding of gendered experience and injustice.
WGSS places gender and sexuality at the center of inquiry in research and teaching. Using an intersectional lens, students learn how to analyze gendered social roles and the ways in which they affect personal lives, artistic expression, work, social relationships, institutional structures, the production of knowledge, and national and international political and economic relations.
WGSS offers a major in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, which requires a minimum of 36 credit hours. The program also offers minors in Women’s Studies and Queer Studies. Students interested in declaring a major or minor should contact the program director, Pamela Thoma, professor of English.
Check out our degree options.
“overleaf” Tannaz Farsi
2024 Jo Hockenhull Distinguished Visiting Artist
March 21, 4:30 pm Fine Arts Auditorium
Spring 2024
WGSS Webinar
February 8, 4:30 pm
Dr. Chandni Desai University of Toronto
2023 National Women’s Studies Association (NWSA) Conference, Thursday, Oct. 26-October 29
Conference Program
InQueery 2023
After the Tipping Point: Trans Histories and Archives
Keynote Hil Malatino
“Pure Potential: Reed Erickson and the Trans Twentieth Century”
For an access link to the keynote video on WGSS’s YouTube channel, contact Dr. Pamela Thoma (pthoma@wsu.edu).
Upcoming Events
In recent days, we have watched with growing concern the legal attempts in various states across the nation to attack and eradicate trans and queer lives—from Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” education bill to Idaho’s HB675 that makes it a felony for trans youth to access healthcare. These draconian steps are part of larger attempts to attack access to abortions, reproductive and gender confirming healthcare, and bodily autonomy. Such events highlight the importance and urgency of feminist and queer pedagogies in our classrooms, on our campuses, in our communities. We extend our solidarity with all those who are fighting these transphobic and homophobic bills.
If you want to support a trans-led group in your state, please see the Trans Justice Funding project’s grantee list.
In response to the unthinkable killings in Atlanta, WGSS reaffirms its stance against all forms of racism, misogyny, and violence and stands in solidarity with Asian Americans and Asian immigrants. Red Canary Song is one organization whose transnational work in organizing may provide guidance on labor rights and mutual aid. Please see their statement here. They will hold an online vigil March 18, 2021, 8 pm (EST).
WGSS Statement on Solidarity with #BLM
National Women’s Studies Association Statement
WGSS seeks to
- Provide students with a systematic knowledge of interdisciplinary scholarship about gender and by women and other gender and sexual minorities.
- Enhance the qualifications of students for today’s diverse workplaces.
- Advance university and societal goals of diversity and equity.
- Lead transformational education and research initiatives.