Minor in Women and Gender Studies

Catalog Year: 2023-2024

Banner Code: LA-MINOR-WGST-WGST

This minor is for students who are interested in gender, sexuality, and feminist perspectives. While it is an especially good complement to a major in the humanities, social sciences, health and human services, or natural sciences, it is open to students in any major in the university.

The interdisciplinary minor consists of two required courses and four electives. Students interested in feminist and gender issues choose their elective courses from a broad range of offerings.

The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on program requirements and courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes. Requirements may be different for earlier catalog years. See the University Catalog archives.

Minor Requirements

Total credits: 18

Students should be aware of the specific policies associated with this program, located on the Admissions & Policies tab.

Core Courses

WMST 200 Introduction to Women and Gender Studies (Mason Core) 3
WMST 330 Feminist Theories of Gender, Sexuality, and Race 3
Total Credits 6

Electives

Students complete the minor with 12 credits of women and gender studies electives. Alternatively they can choose to focus their electives on gender based violence.

Interdisciplinary Historical Perspectives  
Select 3 credits from the following: 3
U.S. Women's History  
Temptress: Sexuality and Power  
Critical Race Studies (Mason Core)  
Women and Work  
Black Social Movements: Gendering of Violence and Activism  
Women During the Enslavement Era  
Women's Activism: From Jim Crow to Black Power  
Other related Special Topics courses with approval
 
Additional Electives  
Select one WMST course 3
Select 6 credits of additional elective courses from the following: 6
 
Introduction to African American Studies (Mason Core)  
Asian American Women Writers (Mason Core)  
Human Sexuality  
Women's Health  
Psychology of Gender  
Psychology of Intimate Relationships  
Violence, Gender, and Sexuality  
Images and Experiences of Childhood: Social Construct, Literature, and Film  
Issues in Family Relationships (Mason Core)  
Art as Social Action (Mason Core)  
Gender Representation in Popular Culture (Mason Core)  
Temptress: Sexuality and Power  
Women and Leadership  
Social Justice Education (Mason Core)  
Contemporary Families and Intimate Relationships  
Contemporary Gender Relations (Mason Core)  
Social Problems and Solutions (Mason Core)  
Social Inequality (Mason Core)  
Total Credits 12

Optional Focus in Gender Based Violence

WMST 320 Violence, Gender, and Sexuality 3
or INTS 310 Violence, Gender, and Sexuality
Select 9 credits from the following: 9
Internship in Women and Gender Studies  
Gender, Sexuality, and Human Rights  
Current Issues in Women and Gender Studies  
Sexuality, Race, and Immigration  
Human Trafficking and Smuggling  
Conflict, Trauma and Healing  
Psychology of Crime Victims  
Criminal Behavior: Psychological and Neurological Aspects  
Psychology of Intimate Relationships  
Justice and Reconciliation  
Special Topics in Conflict Analysis and Resolution
Violence: Causes, Dynamics Alternatives  
Special Topics (when topic is social inequality crime, and justice)  
Crime Victims and Victimization  
Migrant Health  
Social Determinants of Health  
Social Determinants of Health
Gender and Society  
Contemporary Gender Relations (Mason Core)  
Violence and Religion (Additioal course with the approval of the minor advisor)  
Total Credits 12