Gender Studies Minor

Minor Requirements

For a Minor in Gender Studies, students must take at least 12 hours of Gender Studies courses. 6 hours must include 2 core courses:

1. GS 2102 Introduction to Gender Studies
2. GS 4100 Introduction to Feminist and Gender Theory,  GS 4600 Masculinities, or other upper division course in feminist or gender theory.

The remaining 6 hours must be 3000-level or 4000-level GS courses. Enrolling in GS 4352 Independent Study in Gender Studies or GS 4353 Internship in Gender Studies is encouraged. Courses in the student’s major department (not cross-listed as a GS course) may be accepted with the prior approval of the Gender Studies Program Coordinator. 

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Gender Studies Minor and Undergraduate Certificate, a student will be able to:

Knowledge

• Analyze how gender affects individuals and society historically and currently, locally and globally, including how systems of power and oppression operate and how gender intersects with other facets of identity such as ethnicity, nationality, class, sexuality, age, and ability
• Describe key figures, concepts, and debates within the discipline of gender studies, such as “the Other,” sex vs. gender, gender as a social construct vs. essentialism, and intersectionality
• Utilize gender as a variable to explain historical, social, cultural, technological, and/or symbolic phenomena
• Evaluate ideological assumptions underlying social institutions and systems of representation

Writing Research and Communications

• Articulate complex ideas coherently to diverse audiences.
• Relate how personal experience connects to institutions and systems of privilege and oppression.
• Apply traditional and new media literacies to locate, evaluate, utilize, and produce knowledge.
• Synthesize evidence obtained from research to compose texts that advance, support, and defend an argument about gender.

Professional

• Develop strategies for promoting equality and combating oppression
• Connect personal experience and the ideas explored in the classroom to apply the insights gained to other classes and personal and professional life
• Describe the importance of respect, civility, sensitivity, civic engagement, and appreciation for diversity and demonstrate these traits