Dec 22, 2024  
2024-25 Western Washington University Catalog 
    
2024-25 Western Washington University Catalog

Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Minor


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

25 credits

Introduction

Women, Gender, & Sexuality Studies (WGSS) at Western Washington University pursues praxis and critical inquiry through feminist and queer scholarship by teaching and activism that makes sense of how gender impacts our world and shapes social, political, and cultural formations. We are dedicated to teaching undergraduate majors and minors to use critical thinking to bridge feminist theories and social justice practice. Our program foregrounds interdisciplinary analyses of feminism, gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, and queer studies in transnational and multicultural contexts.

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, health and human development, language and linguistics, 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.

 Contact Information

Chair of Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Rae Lynn Schwartz-DuPre
College Hall 203
360-650-4212
schwarr5@wwu.edu

Department Manager
Ren Schreuder
College Hall 204
360-650-3851
ren.schreuder@wwu.edu or wgss@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, healthcare communication studies, literature, journalism, history, cultural studies, law, education, policy, and social welfare.

 Major/Career Resources

careercenter.wwu.edu/connectmajorcareer

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 Rae Lynn Schwartz-DuPre, Communications Facility 283, 360-650-4212, schwarr5@wwu.edu.

Grade Requirements

A grade of C- or better is required for a student’s major or minor courses, and supporting courses for majors and minors.

Requirements


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