Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Minor

Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies program, College of Humanities and Social Sciences

30 credits

Introduction

Western Washington University’s Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies program draws on interdisciplinary research and teaching to analyze the formation of sex, gender, and sexuality as they intersect with structures of power including, but not limited to, race, class, ethnicity, nationality, religion, age, and ability.

Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies is committed to the project of social justice. We examine and challenge systems of oppression, inequality, and privilege from a variety of perspectives. Our program encourages theory and praxis that critically considers global and local communities in efforts to revise, re-envision, and reimagine social change.

The curriculum provides students with skills to critically and actively engage with the world around them. Many of our courses connect academia to the material world by investigating the relationship between theory and practice - a central commitment of much feminist, gender, and queer scholarship. Our courses are characterized by rigorous and sustained critical thinking, inquiry, and analysis: skills central to the task of enhancing equality, dignity, and empowerment.

Why Consider a Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Minor?

Drawing on the rich pool of academic expertise at Western, the program emphasizes theories and practices derived from feminist, queer, postcolonial, multiracial, and multicultural contexts. Our curriculum emphasizes scholarly engagement with a wide range of disciplines, including: history, fine and performing art, literature, creative writing, political science, communication studies, anthropology, sociology, psychology, environmental studies, visual culture, journalism, education, and science.

Students enjoy small class sizes and close faculty interaction. Our community is intellectually challenging, supportive, and creative. Our diverse faculty encourages scholarship that is interdisciplinary and intersectional. Individual concentrations and senior projects evolve along with students’ intellectual and experiential growth and academic expertise.

Contact Information

Director of Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Minor Dr. Vicki Hsueh Arntzen Hall 405 MS 9082 360-650-2649 Vicki.Hsueh@wwu.edu Office hours by appointment

Program Manager Kim Kolb Ayre Environmental Studies 603 MS 9099 360-650-3377 KimKolb.Ayre@wwu.edu

Sample Careers

The Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies program prepares students with a solid foundation to pursue careers in fields such as law, social service, counseling, public policy, health care, teaching, and the arts. We also give students a strong foundation for pursuing graduate work in women and gender studies, as well as in such disciplines as political science, communication studies, literature, journalism, history, cultural studies, law, education, policy, and social welfare.

Major/Career Resources

http://www.wwu.edu/careers/students_choosingamajor.shtml

How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process):

Students who wish to declare a minor in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies are required to register with the Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies office. For program advisement, contact Professor Hsueh, Arntzen Hall 405, 360-650-2649, Vicki.Hsueh@wwu.edu or Program Manager, Kim Kolb Ayre, Environmental Studies 603, 360-650-3377, KimKolb.Ayre@wwu.edu.

Grade Requirements

Students are required to earn at least a C+ in courses counting towards the minor.