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Program in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

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