Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Major

The Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (WGSS) Major offers students an opportunity to engage deeply with critical topics in the interdisciplinary field of gender and sexuality studies. Students explore key themes of the discipline, including a foundational understanding of transnational queer and feminist perspectives on how different systems of oppression—like racism, sexism, colonialism, and economic inequality—intersect and shape the worlds we live in.

The education students gain through this program enriches any chosen field of study. Graduates leave prepared for a variety of graduate programs and career opportunities that advance the mission of dismantling inequitable systems and creating new worlds grounded in feminist values.

WGSS majors are required to take 5 core courses, including Introduction to WGSS (2002) and the Senior Capstone (5030), a seminar during which students write a final paper that brings together the various themes they have learned over the course of their academic career. Free electives allow students to pursue a minor, certificate program, or even complete a second major. Some of the most common pairings including Anthropology, Sociology, Psychology, and Environmental Studies. Students should speak with their academic advisor to learn more about double majoring. Explore the curriculum guide.