Program in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality StudiesDegree options

Degree options

Vibrant Autumn scene on campus.

Bachelor of Arts in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

Minors

  • Women’s Studies
  • Queer Studies

WGSS Program Strengths

  • Faculty in WGSS work in a number of new research areas, including theories of identities and bodies, women and the environment, feminist theory, queer theory, global feminism, critical race studies, and disability studies.
  • The WGSS program maintains close relations with the Women*s Center and the LGBTQ+ Center.
  • WGSS students tend to be people who want to make a difference in the world. Their personal goals and intellectual development are of major importance to our faculty.
  • The program emphasizes collaborative learning and critical thinking in a global and activist context, one that gives students ownership over their education.
  • Each student is assigned a faculty mentor who is a resource for majors who are pursuing graduate degrees, undergraduate research, academic publications, and career exploration within the field.

Suggested Classes for First Year Students

  • WGSS 101: Introduction to Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
  • WGSS 120: Sex, Race, and Reproduction in Global Health Politics
  • WGSS/ENGL 211: Sex Matters: Introduction to Queer Culture and Literature

Suggested Classes for Transfer Students

  • WGSS/SOC/ 300/ENGL 310: Intersections of Race, Class, Gender, and Sexuality
  • WGSS 338: Gender, Race, and Popular Culture
  • WGSS/SOC 385: Introduction to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies
  • WGSS 485: Theoretical Issues in Queer Studies

Math Requirement

Any UCORE math, including:

  • MATH 105: Exploring Mathematics
  • PHIL 201: Elementary Logic

Required Courses

  • WGSS 101: Introduction to Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
    • OR WGSS 120: Sex, Race, and Reproduction in Global Health Politics
  • WGSS/ANTH 332 Global Feminisms
    • OR WGSS 340 Gender and Decolonial Representation in Film
    • OR WGSS 406 Women and Work in Global Contexts
  • WGSS/SOC 385 Introduction to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies
  • WGSS 481: Feminist Theory
  • WGSS/CRIM J 403: Violence Toward Women
    • OR WGSS 495 ReDirections in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

Career Options

  • Work for nonprofit and/or nongovernmental agencies advocating for environmental justice, transgender rights, access to health care.
  • Work in community service organizations, such as shelters and youth centers.
  • Work in human resources, policy analysis, community development.
  • Continue studies in law school, public health, social work, justice studies, gender studies, and much more.
  • Change your world.

For more information

wgss@wsu.edu

Cheyenne Gaspar (she/her/hers)
WGSS Advisor
509-335-0496

cgaspar@wsu.edu