The Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies  provides students:

• An interdisciplinary program of study grounded in the liberal arts
• A culminating academic experience through which students link the insights of separate courses                                                                              
• Opportunities to apply theory to meaningful research or action projects, including internships, field work and service learning

In the Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program, students critically engage with texts, media, and theories to recognize their own social and cultural environments and to challenge prevailing ideas about privilege and inequality. Studying how categories of women, gender, and sexuality affect and are affected by our everyday lives, historical currents, and social institutions, provides students with skills that will prepare them for a wide range of careers.

Major in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies      2024-2025 Course Guide

Students who major in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies may choose a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree. A major requires completion of at least 30 credits. Please visit the GVSU catalog for a complete program description and to view WGS course offerings. You may view Student Learning Outcomes for the Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies program as well.

Core Courses: All required (15 credits)                    

WGS 101 Introduction to Gender Studies

WGS 201 Foundations of Feminism

WGS 395 Women/Gender Studies Research Methods

WGS 301 Global Feminisms

WGS 495 Capstone

High impact/civic engagement emphasis: Students must complete one of the following courses (3 credits):

• WGS 490 - WGS Internship 
• WGS 491 - Contemporary Theory and Practicum 

For the remaining four electives, students can choose from a wide range of courses within WGS, courses cross-listed with other departments, and others approved for meeting program requirements.

In addition to completing the WGS major with at least at 2.0 average, students must also satisfy the following GVSU requirements for graduation: all of the General Education requirements; a minimum of 120 semester hours, including 58 at a senior institution; the last 30 semester hours must be earned through GV courses; and a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0. Please be in regular contact with the Brooks College Advising Office to make sure you are on track in your path to graduation.